Once again, Scottish Country Dancing will take its place among the varied and exciting activities at the 2008 Seaside Highland Games.
Dating back to the early years of the 18th Century, Scottish Country Dancing enjoyed immense popularity as the Social or Ballroom dancing of Scotland. It wasnıt until the early years of the 20th Century, however, that the music and dance of other nations, in particular American Jazz, began to threaten its popularity as Scotland's "Darling Diversion." In 1923, the Scottish
Country Dance Society was founded for the purpose of preserving and publishing what many considered to be two of Scotlandıs greatest national treasures--its Country dances and music.
Today, the Society that began with just 27 interested patrons under the leadership of Dr. Jean Milligan and Mrs. Ysobel Stewart of Fasnacloich, has grown into a worldwide organization with over 21,000 members and 166 branches worldwide. The title "Royal" was bestowed upon the Society in 1951 by King George VI. In 1952, Queen Elizabeth II, herself a Scottish Country Dancer, became a Patron of the Society.
McBride Hall is the place to be this weekend for demonstrations of Scottish Country Dancing. On Saturday there will be demonstrations by the Los Angeles Branch Demonstration Team in the morning and afternoon, and dance demonstrations by members of local classes in the afternoon. There will be plenty of audience participation activities for those who would like to learn a bit of this traditional dance form. Unlike Highland Dancing which is competitive solo dancing, Country Dancing is non-competitive couples dancing and is enjoyed by dancers of all ages in a social setting. In addition to the dancing, Saturday audiences will also enjoy the music of Rigel a local scottish dance music group and the Ventura British Brass Band.
On Sunday, McBride Hall will take a trip to the British Isles with a performance by the Scottish Fiddlers of L.A., singing with Rigel, demonstrations by the Clan Macleod Scottish Country Dancers, Irish Dancing with Michael Breen's Irish Set Dancers and workshops in English Country Dancing taught by Anne Laskey accompanied on the accordion by James Hutson.
We hope that you will stop by McBride Hall and join us for two days of music and dancing the Scottish way! And, if you've a mind, kick up your heels at our annual Scotch Hop, an evening of Scottish Country Dancing on Saturday night. Beginners and experienced dancers will find our selection of dances both challenging and rewarding.
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