Scottish Country Dance:
Fun, Fitness, Friendship
Worldwide

 
About RSCDS Toronto >>About.html
Demo Pool >>Demo-Pool.html

  1. Dance Scottish because. .  .

  2. •It brings you joy  • You don’t need to be a couple – we change partners every dance

  3. •Beginner Classes are on the subway – downtown and in north Toronto

Your new fitness and social activity starts here

Youth Classes, any time, Sept to May: Info here


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






 
Toronto Books & Leaflet Dances >leaflets.html

Dance Scottish At Home page
Online lessons, podcasts, and other activities for dancers

‘SOCIAL’ GROUP DANCING

{ classes end mid-June }

Evenings @ 8pm (60-90 mins)

All classes are open to everyone, but get a Zoom password in advance.

Tuesdays:  Erin Mills and Bloorlea.

Keith Bark and Arlene Koteff teach week about.  p/w >  Keith or Deirdre.

Wednesdays:

Humbercrest ~ Deirdre MacCuish Bark teaches. p/w > Deirdre

Fridays: Woodglen ~ Deirdre MacCuish Bark teaches. p/w > Deirdre

Alma Smith’s virtual classes

_____________________________

Social class

Tuesdays at 7:30pm (continues thru summer)

Basic level dances at beginning of class,
followed by more challenging dances.

No fee ~ Contact asmith26@cogeco.ca

_____________________________

Scottish Country dance Technique

Thursdays & Fridays @ 8pm (60-90 mins) (until end of June)

Open to all; no fee.

Contact asmith26@cogeco.ca

_____________________________

Introduction to Scottish Step Dancing

Saturdays @ 2pm - 3:00
(until end of June ~ resumes in September)

Scottish Step Dances (aka Ladies’ Step Dances) are done solo,
and thus are well suited to Zoom. Examples

Alma teaches introductory dances, and Highland steps
used in Scottish country dance.

Contact asmith26@cogeco.ca

Mrs Hamilton of Eaglemount

Beloved teacher,
Jean Hamilton,
passed away June 7

More info