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Scottish Country Dancing Classes 2009
Last updated 05 February 2010
For more information on any of the classes, please contact the Secretary.
Combined Beginners/Intermediate (General) Classes |
| Tuesday evenings, 7:00 – 9:30pm |
| Dates: | 19 January to 30 March 2010
13 April to 25 May 2010
Note: 25 May is a joint class with the Haddenham class.
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| Venue: | Newnham Croft County Primary School Hall, Chedworth Street, Newnham, Cambridge CB3 9JF |
| Teacher: | Two qualified teachers will attend to take the class with basic teaching and simpler dances for beginners at the beginning of the evening through to more advanced technique and dances towards the end of the evening. |
| Cost: | £3.00 for RSCDS members
£4.00 for non-members
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| Mixed ability standard, but taught as elementary / intermediate. |
A flyer with more details is available in PDF format. |
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Ladies' Step Dancing |
| Sunday afternoons, 2:30 – 5:00pm |
| Dates: | January 24: "The Lilt"
February 28: "The Pas de Trois for the Misses Glennie"
March 28: A recap of both the above dances
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| Venue: | The Centre at St Paul's, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 1JP |
| Teacher: | Kate Gentles (RSCDS Full Cert.) |
| Cost: | £3.00 for students
£5.00 for non-students
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A bit of background on Ladies' StepLadies' step dancing is generally solo dancing, although some dances are written for couples or, occasionally, more dancers. It uses a number of basic steps - a few more than Scottish country dancing, although some are the same. The influence of both Scottish country dancing and ballet are clear. The dances range in difficulty, from those that need no more than three or four easy steps to those that are considerably more demanding. But that's where the challenge – and the enjoyment – lies. It originated in Scotland in the 17th and 18th centuries. Dancing masters would travel around the country, visiting both 'the big house' and the village hall to teach step dancing. As a style of dancing, it was more or less lost (or at least dying rapidly) when, in the 1950s, Tibby Cramb was given a manuscript dated 1841 that contained a number of step dances. To say that the instructions were obscure would be putting it mildly, so Tibby set about finding people who had learned these dances and could help her interpret the instructions. Since then, it has been revived as a form of traditional dancing. Like Scottish country dancing, not only are the old dances learned, but also new ones are written – a true living tradition! |
Highland Class |
| This is currently unsubscribed; however, if sufficient people who wish to learn come forward, then the Branch will consider scheduling classes. |
A bit of background on HighlandHighland dancing is one of the oldest forms of folk dance and both modern ballet and square dancing can trace their roots back to the Highlands. Historically, Highland Dancing was one of the various ways men were tested for strength, stamina, accuracy, and agility. Indeed, dating back to the 11th or 12th century, the Highland Dances of Scotland tended to be highly athletic male celebratory dances of triumph or joy, or warrior dances performed over swords and spiked shield. However, over the centuries, the dancing style has become more refined and now shares many elements with classical ballet. Although Highland Dancing was traditionally restricted to men, today it is performed by many women too. |
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