Scottish Country Dance:
Fun, Fitness, Friendship
Worldwide

 
  1. Saturday Youth Classes
    Resume in  September

  2. Family class (9:15-10am)

  3. Seniors (tweens & teens)
    (10:15am-11:30)

  4. Contact Moira Korus

  5. More info: Youth classes at Rosedale Presbyterian Church


  7. We Dance Scottish because. .  .  
    • It brings us joy   • We change partners every dance   • Beginner Classes are on the subway 


Dance for joy

Scottish Country Dance is lively, multi-generational, and rollicking good fun!

There are 6 dances each season with wonderful live music. Beginners are especially welcome at March Beginners’ Night, and at the Family Christmas dance. There are two formal /semi-formal balls each year, and many special events.  Here are some video links to show you typical dances, and typical Toronto dancers!

Some easy-peasy ceilidh-style dances: 

• Braveheart (circle dance)    • Kingston Flyer     • Knot on a Ferryboat (circle dance) 

Some high-energy Scottish country dances:

• St Andrews Fair   • Joe MacDiarmid’s Jig   • Well Done Jack   •  Antarctica Bound   •  The Sailor                 

• Rest And Be Thankful   • Red Nose Jig (sq set)   •  A Trip To Crinan            

Two more-challenging dances:

• Reel of the 51st Highland Division (all male set)   • The Peat Road

Some Short Strathspeys:

• The Swan & The Tay (3x)   • St John River (a dance metaphor)   •  We Reely Progressed (4s32, Rosedale Parent class)   

About Scottish Social Dance. . .

Scottish Dance: It's old. . . it's new. . . it's fun. . . it's social.

Scottish country dance is the traditional social dance of Scotland. It’s based on ancient folk dances, mixed with elements of ballet, influences from the Royal court of France, and some overlap with Highland dancing. Scottish country dance was carried around the world by Scottish immigrants, and by Highland regiments. It remains popular world-wide, and in unlikely places such as Paris, Japan, and Moscow <some international events>.

SCD is great fun for young and old but it IS challenging mentally and physically. You must be fit, and quick on the uptake. Some people can pick it up on the fly, but the better way is to take Lessons.

Some of the dances we do are over 300 years old; many are newly (and cleverly) devised to incorporate intricate formations. We dance lively jigs and reels and the distinctively Scottish, very stately, Strathspey. We also dabble in marches and waltzes. To learn more, click on Lessons.

Classes for young people are available here.

General Questions & Health Benefits

Any number of journal articles and studies have shown the social and health benefits of dancing in general and Scottish country dancing in particular. Anyone who dances Scottish country will tell you "It's fun!".

Have questions? Want answers?
Download this pamphlet of Questions & Answers: Scottish-Country-Dance-info.pdf






 
About RSCDS Toronto >>About.html
Toronto Books & Leaflet Dances >leaflets.html
Scholarships Available >>scholarship.html
Set&Link Newsletter Archive >>archives-newsletter.html
Marketing Resources >resources.html
▶︎ TAC SUMMER SCHOOL ◀︎ Spaces are limited, register NOWhttps://tac-rscds.org/index.php/tac-summer-schoolLessons.htmlshapeimage_13_link_0
We’ve had fun the last three Tuesdays, dancing to live music in Edwards Gardens. We will return June 28 for one more Tuesday evening in June. There is no fee to listen and/or dance to great Celtic music by the band Scotch Mist. The jigs, reels, and strathspeys are easy dances and there is a designated audience participation or Ceilidh dance in each half of the program. The lawn is in great shape and I hope to see you there. …Dave Drewette

June 26, July 10, July 17 :  You, too, can be a “stooge” and improve your dancing skills 

Calling dancers with at least two years experience…
We are looking for volunteers to act as students – traditionally (and unfortunately) termed “stooges” – in our Teacher Candidate Classes, and for their examination.  Volunteers will:

•  Improve their dancing skills
•  Play a vital role in the future of Scottish country dancing

•  Encourage and support aspiring Scottish country dance teachers
•  Dance for free – there is no fee.

There are two practices and one Adjudication:
•  Sunday, June 26, 2-4pm @ Broadlands Community Centre

•  Sunday, July 10, 2-4pm @  (venue TBA)

•  Adjudication:  Sunday, July 17, 1:30-4:30 pm (venue TBA)

To volunteer for one or more classes, reserve your spot with Sue Ann Bryce sueann2@sympatico.ca   Sue Ann can give you further details.