Earthbeat Underground Ceilidh

Beneath our feet, a secret world pulses with life. Networks of fungi stretch like underground highways, tiny organisms sleep, eat and multiply, and hidden connections shape the world above. Soil is hidden treasure and fundamental to our lives at the surface where most of the world's food is grown. This relatively thin top layer of Earth’s crust is also a huge store of carbon and one of the world’s great ecosystems containing more than a quarter of all living organisms.

In recent years science has revealed more about the complex webs of hidden relationships between soil’s living residents–particularly its fungi, bacteria and plant roots. At the Great Exhibition Road Festival we will draw these complex communities to the surface–with live ceilidh music and dancing. Developed with scientists from the Imperial Fungal Network by artist Geraldine Cox and choreographer Emma Bellerby, Earthbeat will give people of all ages a chance to become this interconnected underground world, mirroring, through the social dancing of a ceilidh, the interwoven lives of this intriguing subsurface ecosystem.

What to expect:
• A five-minute burst of fascinating underground science from a fungal scientist
• A silent disco where you’ll move like the underground networks beneath your feet
• A ceilidh (folk dance with live music) – easy, lively, and fun for all!

No dance experience is needed–just bring your curiosity, energy, and a sense of adventure. Families, kids, and curious minds of all ages are warmly welcomed.

Sessions will run at 13.30–14.15, 14.45–15.30, 16.00–16.45, and 17.15–18.00 on both Saturday and Sunday.

Visitor information

This is a ticketed event is for all ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

There will be advance tickets released for this event closer to the Festival weekend. 

If you have an advance ticket, please arrive at the venue 10 minutes before the start time. Your ticket gives you priority access, however, as this is a free event we overbook to help ensure a full event and your space may be reallocated. Early arrival reduces this risk.

The mezzanine level where the seminar rooms are located is wheelchair accessible and the workshop has been designed to work for people who need to be sat down, including for those in wheelchairs.

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