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For
more information on Scottish Country Dancing, or on the Bellingham
Scottish Country Dancers,
please
contact us.
Last
updated 3/16/2008.
Site maintained by Tom Read. For
questions or problems with this website, please contact
bellinghamscd@yahoo.com |
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Music
Driving reels,
sprightly jigs and stately strathspeys. These
are the rhythms and melodies of Scottish Country Dancing (SCD).
This is the music of tapping toes and soaring spirits.
We are fortunate to have many renowned Celtic musicians living in
the Pacific Northwest. They’re
largely responsible for the permanent grins of all those who “take to
the floor” at our various dances, Ceilidhs (Scottish parties) and gala
balls.
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Local
musicians, "Up in the Air" |
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Dance
Unlike many contemporary forms of
dance, NO PARTICULAR PARTNER IS REQUIRED, as dances are performed in sets
of 2- 5 couples (4 – 10 people) doing a predetermined sequence of
movements called formations. The
steps are relatively simple so they’re easy to learn.
As with any dance form, endurance, strength and aerobic
conditioning along with poise and grace are the benefits to be had from
this enjoyable and uplifting activity.
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Dancers
at the Skagit Ball, 2004.
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History
The roots of Scottish Country Dancing (SCD) date back several centuries.
Some of the more popular dances we do now were devised in the
1700’s! Today, literally thousands of dances exist, commemorating
everything from royal
personages and feats of valor, to a really tasty dessert or a fine sip of
whiskey. The etiquette on the
dance floor heralds an earlier time when manners and courtesy were a sign
of respect. This is a
refreshing experience for all dancers, from children to the elderly.
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Edinburgh
Castle
Edinburgh,
Scotland |
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Community
SCD is the “social dancing” of Scotland, and has always been at the
heart of the community. People
living in our neighborhoods can feel as isolated as they did in the rural
communities over 200 years ago. Thus,
SCD serves the same purpose now as it did then – a light hearted and fun
way to bring people together to meet, to mix and to connect.
Monthly Social Dances, Ceilidhs, workshops and balls attract people
from Seattle, the San Juans, Skagit, Bellingham and the lower mainland of
BC. We dance together, enjoy
each other’s company, and visit during breaks when we eagerly indulge
from a table full of home made goodies.
We leave smiling, tired and ready to do it again.
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for all ages! Dancers at a Monthly Dance. |
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