About Us
Where we Dance
Where we Dance
Where we Dance
We dance every Thursday at 7 pm in Sarasota at the Show Folks of Sarasota club house 5204 North Lockwood Ridge Rd, Sarasota
Everyone is welcome!
Cost is $8
Who's Dancing
Where we Dance
Where we Dance
Our group reflects all skill levels. We are young and old, experienced and beginners, and couples and singles
who love Scottish Country Dancing.
Our Instructor
Where we Dance
Our Instructor
Mrs. Ellen McRanor.
When the McRanors decided to relocate to Florida, Ellen--who for several years had been teaching 5 classes a week in Connecticut and badly needed a rest--was persuaded to become dance mistress for the Sarasota dancers on the promise that we'd only ask her to teach one class a week, give one ball a year,...
Information
Something about Sarasota Scottish Country Dance group
We entertain 3 to 4 sets all winter long and generally 2 sets in the summer.
We have weekly class on Thursdays. Our Demo group has performed at our local Highland Games and Ceilidh, Local Burn's Suppers and other Celtic festivals. We host an annual New Year's Eve Party as well as our Ball in Mid February.
OUR MISSION: We encourage you to meet others from far away that share this common love. We are of all ages and backgrounds who enjoy music, dancing, and good company. No prior dance experience is necessary to get started with this dancing style and partners are not required. It's a great way to meet new people socially and keep active physically.
General Notes:
For the dance participant:
Be prepared to dance five or more dances per evening. We want to retain our friendly and cordial atmosphere; both students and teachers should show respect for one another by not interrupting or talking when instruction is being given. Dancers support one another, criticism should be positive and constructive. Expect and demonstrate a higher level of fun in social dancing.
What is Scottish Country Dancing?
About the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society
Scottish Country Dance is the social dancing of Scotland. It combines the grace of ballet footwork with the figures of modern progressive social dance. The Royal Scottish Country Dance Society, founded in Glasgow in 1923, is an international organization dedicated to the preservation and practice of the country dances of Scotland. Currently, the RSCDS has over 20,000 members in over 160 branches and 500 affiliated groups around the world. To learn more about RSCDS visit their site.
Unlike Highland dances, which are usually solo performances accompanied by bagpipes, Country Dances are danced with partners in sets of two or more couples doing an exciting variety of formations. The music is provided by a fiddle, flute, or piano, or by a band. Talented musicians play for parties and some classes. The dances vary in tempo, including lively jigs, hornpipes and reels, and the slower, elegant strathspeys.
You can see Scottish Country Dancing at Scottish Games & Gatherings and at many other fairs and events. Our Sarasota group host a Ball each New Year's Eve and an annual ball mid February.
Some comments heard from dancers:
"The music lifts my spirits!"
"I like dancing with men in kilts!"
"You don't need to come with a partner -everyone in class wants to dance!"
"The strathspeys are so elegant, and the jigs and reels are lively and fun!"
"You don't have to be Scottish to love Scottish country dancing!"
"It's a fun way to keep fit!"
"I love the sociability!"
