Dance Dance Dance

After a rogue stand-up comedian mocked my infatuation for a burlesque dancer at last year's Fringe, I have determined to avenge the insult by advocating dance, physical theatre and cabaret as the natural beating heart of the Festivals. Fortunately, swathes of exciting programming, from Colette Sadler's cerebral Musical at Zoo, through The Booking Dance Festival at the Conference Centre, to the entire programme at Dance Base has offered me the perfect weapon to fight the tyranny of comedy.

Although dance is only one of the strands this August, it is increasingly vibrant. Both classical dance, such as the Cape Dance Company or the Bharatanatyam style of Sulochana K. Sarma at The Merchant's Hall, and the contemporary are represented, allowing the neophyte dance enthusiast to get a taste of multiple forms. The arrival of Liv Lorent, at the same venue as Scottish Dance Theatre to boot, is a treat for the contemporary fan, while the International Festival boasts Lemi Ponifasio from New Zealand, Alonzo King (US) and the legendary Pina Bausch company.

The inclusion of cabaret within The Shimmy's remit is a deliberate attempt to impress burlesque performers and to recognise a segment of the Fringe that is consistently growing. Highlights here will include Itsy's Kabarett, Mikeangelo's late night show at the Assembly and the Brahaha at Zoo. New venue on the block, The Roxy, is promising the more angular Cabaret Chekov, as well as threatening to turn its bar into a non-stop celebration of the micronation of Samedia.