We have never experienced a time like this. To help support the worldwide community of Scottish country dancers, we are issuing a series of newsletters to our members and subscribers - Dance Scottish At Home. This will develop and improve as time goes on, and we will be responding to what you would like to see and read. Our aim is to include articles, music, games, podcasts and online classes that will entertain and connect us with our dancing friends across the globe.

You are encouraged to share Dance Scottish At Home with dancers and musicians in your Group, Branch and wider network. We are all part of the Scottish dance family and now is the time to show it. 

Your feedback and ideas are welcome – please click here to share them with us.

To receive this newsletter just sign up here. All non-members welcome!

Dance Scottish At Home - 26th February 2021

Welcome to Dance Scottish At Home and a slightly shorter edition as we head towards “Dance Scottish – A Winter Evening” on Saturday 27th February.

At Home Podcast

In this week’s At Home Podcast, RSCDS Music Director, Luke Brady, shares the second episode of “Fiddle February” content celebrating the sound of the scots fiddle.
 
This time Luke is joined by fiddler and Niel Gow expert, Pete Clark. Listen in to hear Niel Gow’s own fiddle, dating from the late 18th century, and music from Blair Castle – all from Pete. Alongside tales of fiddlers and fiddle tunes, there’s music from Bobby Crowe and David Cunningham to keep you entertained through the winter nights. Pete was instrumental in the building of a Neil Gow statue – find out more in the “At Home Podcast”.

A Winter Evening

On Saturday 27th February join the RSCDS for a brand, new virtual event – it may not be possible for dancers to join together in Pitlochry for the 2021 RSCDS Winter School, but hopefully you will enjoy connecting through “Dance Scottish - A Winter Evening”.

Sign in from 20:00 GMT and chat with the global dance community. Then at 20:15 GMT join for “Dance Scottish - A Winter Evening”:

Hosted by William Williamson, Chairman Elect and Winter School Co-Ordinator there will be a playlist of popular dances to RSCDS recorded music accompanied by videos of dancing from RSCDS events with photos and background dance information. Each video will be introduced by the 2022 Winter School Teachers and the evening will include musical moments from the 2022 Winter School Musicians. 

Enjoy from a cosy sofa or dance around the living room!  As usual, the Chat will be open throughout for the worldwide dance community to connect with each other. We look forward to joining you virtually on Saturday 27th February for “Dance Scottish - A Winter Evening”.

WATCH THE RECORDING OF THE EVENT

A year of RSCDS books

RSCDS Book 4 was published in 1927 and again contains a mixture of tempos and lengths of dances. It includes the popular jig Light and Airy and the poussette makes a return as a favourite formation. This time there are only two strathspeys but neither are 32 bars long – 24 bars for The 92nd or Marquis of Huntley’s Highlanders and only 16 bars for The Haughs of Cromdale. The wording of the 4 bar poussette in the latter dance’s original instructions may not be how it would be taught now - first man to men’s side pushing with left hand. So, would that have helped you to understand how to dance the formation?

The latest online class

Join a different RSCDS Teacher each week for a mixture of basic movements, warm ups, technique and steps to keep you active. Live every Wednesday at 19:00 UK time, the class will give you the chance to dance with RSCDS members around the world at the same time.  *Please note that not all recorded classes begin immediately - skip ahead on the recording to find the start time, or just let it run and enjoy the music!* 

ONLINE CLASS - 17TH FEBRUARY 2021   ALL ONLINE CLASSES

Dance puzzles

Do you enjoy solving puzzles? This week we have provided 2 challenges to entertain, perplex and intrigue you. 

JIGSAW PUZZLE    WINTER SCHOOL ANAGRAMS

RSCDS news

Issue 33 of Dance Scottish At Home will feature your feedback – the stories, information and memories that you have been sending to the DSAH mailbox and more.

Please send your Winter School tales and photos especially if you have any of the first event in 2000 – it would also be great to share photos of you enjoying the virtual event from home, wearing your limited edition t-shirts!

Find the full Dance Scottish At Home newsletter here >

"I greatly appreciate the innovative way that the RSCDS has ensured that we all keep up our dance skills and stay connected to one another throughout this challenging time.  It was a real treat to have Angela teach the class accompanied by her husband, Graham on the piano.

Thank you again to the imaginative team at RSCDS for implementing this social connection for all of us in the worldwide dancing community."

 Helene and Douglas Nelson,  rscdsgleneagles.org