Spokane Scottish Country Dancers
Come join us!
Who are we?
The Spokane Scottish Country Dancers are a local affiliate of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society. They originally began dancing as a performance group for Spokane's 1974 World's Fair and have continued to dance since then!
Our purpose is to perpetuate traditional Scottish ancestral heritage and culture through Scottish Country Dance. We enjoy weekly instruction, fun, and fellowship. We still enjoy the opportunity to perform for local heritage and arts events. Our members attend dance workshops throughout the Northwest to meet and dance with fellow Scottish Country Dancers.
What is Scottish Country Dancing?
Scottish Country Dancing is the traditional social dance form of Scotland. Unlike highland dancing, which is usually done as a solo dance performed to the music of a bagpipe, country dances are done in sets of two or more couples. The music varies in tempo from lively reels, jigs, and hornpipes to the slow, elegant strathspey. The fiddle and piano are the most prevalent instruments supplying the tunes.
Scottish Country Dancing had its origin in the Royal Court. By the mid-1700's it had spread throughout many levels of Scottish society with a wide appeal. It is danced today throughout the world thanks to the efforts of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society, founded in 1923.
The steps have their origin in the French Ballet; while the manners and use of hands came from the French Court. Dances themselves took the form of the 'contra' dances of England. The ultimate combination of dance forms has produced a dance that is Scotland's own! The strathspey, in particular, is unique to Scotland.
Instruction
We meet each Thursday evening at 6:30pm. Beginning dancers are welcome. You need not be Scottish or have a partner to be included in the dance!
Location
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 1703 N.
Washington Street in Spokane, one block south of Indiana. Look for the
distinctive striped building with the copper dome.
If you would like further information, please contact:
Cynde Chatham
Phone 509-448-3050
Email ccgjaj@aol.com
Debbie McClelland
Phone (509) 456-4899
Email mccdebbie@hotmail.com
If you would like to know more about Scottish Country Dancing, check out the website of the
Royal Scottish Country Dance Society at www.rscds.org