Welcome

Classes for 2023-24 take place every Thursday from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm. Beginners are always welcome.  No partners are needed.

First United Methodist Church of Troy

6363 Livernois, Troy, MI located here

Teachers: Rhett Heberling and Laurel Paterson

Park in the church parking lot.  We dance in the gym on the first floor.                                                                                         

When class must be cancelled due to inclement weather or an unforeseeable event, members will be notified by email asap, sometimes late in the day.  A cancellation notice will be posted on this website and on our Facebook page.     

                   

On Mondays The Tartan and Thistle Ann Arbor Scottish Country Dancers hold classes from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm in the sanctuary at Genesis of Ann Arbor, 2309 Packard Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104. For more information visit:  Ann Arbor Scottish Country Dancing                  

                         

COVID-19 Policy: Current protocols do not require COVID screening or proof of vaccination. Masks are optional and we do ask that you refrain from attending if you are feeling unwell. Take care, stay well and follow the guidelines from public health officials.

                         

Class Notes

DancES Taught Each week are posted here 

Written instructions and videos for all dances can be found on the Scottish Country Dancing Dictionary website located here.

 

Thursday, 12/7

This was our last full dance night before the holiday break.  Next week is our holiday potluck with an abbreviated class.  Dances taught were The Jubilee Jig (J8x32) 3C (4C set), The Wild Geese (J8x32) 3C (4C), Balgeddie Reel (R5x32) 5C, and Barbara’s Strathspey (S8x32) 3C (4C set).  We also tried out a new medley that is a mashup of Bow Fiddle Shores, De’il Amang the Tailors, and The Dundee Whaler.  Next class will be on Thursday, January 2024!

Thursday, 11/30

Class was cancelled.

Thursday, 11/16

This was our last class before the Ann Arbor dance, and we worked on a number of dances from that program. They included Chased Lovers (J8x32) 3C (4C set), The Luckenbrooth Brooch (J8x32) 3C (4C set), Rose of the North (S8x32) 3C (4C set), Dark Lochnagar (S8x32) 2C (4C set), and Mrs. Stewart’s Jig (J8 x 32) 3C (4C set).

Thursday, 11/9

We continued to refine our technique with figures such as the Poussette and the Knot and practiced both familiar and new dances this week. They were The Lammermuir Hills (S8x32) 2C (4C set), The Bumble Bee (J8x40) 2C (3C set), Moment of Truth (S8x32) 3C (4C set), Crum Creek Hornpipe (H8 x 32) 3C (4C set), Delvine Side (S8x 32) 3C (4C set), and Ardmore Junction (R8x32) 3C (4C set).

Thursday, 11/2

We worked at perfecting our technique with three dances this week. They were The Luckenbrooth Brooch (J8x32) 3C (4C set), Dark Lochnagar (S8x32) 2C (4C set), and The City of Belfast (S3x32) 3C (3C set).

Thursday, 10/26

This week we practiced many new dances.  They included Crum Creek Hornpipe (H8x32) 3C (4C set), The Luckenbrooth Brooch (J8x32) 3C (4C set), and Dark Lochnagar (S8x32) 2C (4C set). We also revisited  Anna Holden’s Strathspey (S8x32) 2C (4C set), Chased Lovers (J8x32) 3C (4C set), and The Reel of the 51st Division (R8x32) 3C (4C set). 

Thursday, 10/19

Class was cancelled.  

Thursday, 10/12

We started the evening with Farewell to Balfour Road (J1x96) 5C set, and then spent the majority of class time learning three new dances: Chased Lovers (J8x32) 3C (4 CPL set), The Bumble Bee (J8x40) 2C (3C set), and The Dundee Whaler (S4x32) 4C set.  We finished our dance session with a familiar favorite – Balgeddie Reel (R5X32) (5CPL set).

Thursday, 10/5

To further solidify our skills with some of the more challenging dances from the “Dance Through the RSCDS Decades” program, we practiced: Farewell to Balfour Road (J1x96) 5C set, Anna Holden’s Strathspey (S8x32) 2C (4 CPL set), and Gothenburg’s Welcome (J8x32) 3C (4 CPL set). We enjoyed dancing to a few favorites: Celtic Dreaming (R3x40) (3 CPL set) and Balgeddie Reel (R5X32) (5CPL set), and learned a new dance: Sleepy Maggie (48×32) 3C (4 CPL set).  

Thursday, 9/28

We had our last practice for the September 30 “Dance Through the RSCDS Decades” program: The Flowers of Edinburgh (R8x32) 3C (4 CPL set), Farewell to Balfour Road (J1x96) 5C set,  Scott Meikle (R4x32) 4CPL set, None So Pretty (R8x40) 3C (4 CPL set), Anna Holden’s Strathspey (S8x32) 2C (4 CPL set), Neidpath Castle (S3x32) 3CPL set, and Gothenburg’s Welcome (J8x32) 3C (4 CPL set).  

Thursday, 9/21

We practiced the following dances for the upcoming “Dance Through the RSCDS Decades” program: The Rakes of Glasgow (S8x32) 3C (4 CPL set);  Ladies’ Fancy (J8x32) 2C (4 CPL set), None So Pretty (R8x40) 3C (4 CPL set), Gothenburg’s Welcome (J8x32) 3C (4 CPL set),  and Anna Holden’s Strathspey (S8x32) 2C (4 CPL set). In addition, we walked through Neidpath Castle (S3x32) 3CPL set. We also practiced some favorite dances that will be included in the September 30 dance: Reel of the Royal Scots (R8x32) 3C (4CPL set),  Bonnie Stronshiray (S8x32) 3C (4 CPL set), and The Machine Without Horses (J8x32) 3C (4 CPL set).

Thursday, 9/14

This week we continued to practice dances for the upcoming “Dance Through the RSCDS Decades” program on September 30. We practiced Gothenburg’s Welcome (J8x32) 3C (4 CPL set),  Neidpath Castle (S3x32) 3CPL set, Ladies’ Fancy (J8x32) 2C (4CPL set), and Scott Meikle (R4x32) 4CPL set. We also reviewed Culla Bay (S4x 32) Square Set and walked through None So Pretty (R8x40) 3C (4CPL set).

Thursday, 9/7

We practiced three dances from the “Dance Through the RSCDS Decades” program:  Flowers of Edinburgh (R8x32) 3C (4 CPL Set), The Old Man of Storr (R8x32) 3C (4CPL Set), and Anna Holden’s Strathspey (S8x32) 2C (4 CPL Set). In addition, we enjoyed dancing the Balgeddie Reel (R5x32) 5 CPL Set and Culla Bay (S4x32) Square Set.

Events

Check out Upcoming dances and RSCDS events listed Below


RSCDS Windsor Tea Dance – december 10

Plan now to attend the RSCDS Windsor Tea Dance on Sunday, December 10.  The program begins at 2:00 pm at the Scottish Club, located at 1340 Tecumseh Road East in Windsor, Ontario. Bring finger food to share. Select this link for the dance briefs:

RSCDS Windsor Tea Dance   

rscds detroit branch holiday party and membership meeting – December 14

The annual holiday party for the RSCDS Detroit Branch starts at 7:00 pm on December 14. A potluck dinner will kick off the evening followed by the membership meeting and a few rounds of dancing.  The party will be at the First United Methodist Church of Troy where weekly dances are held. All are invited to attend.  Please bring your favorite dish to share with others. 

SAVE THE date!  The great lakes ball celebrating the RScds centenary – May 4, 2024

The Great Lakes Group of Scottish Country Dancers (comprising dance groups from around Ontario, Buffalo, Detroit, Montreal) is organizing its first joint project — a Great Lakes Ball, celebrating 100 years since Miss Jean Milligan and Mrs Ysobel Stewart of Fasnacloich founded the now world-wide Scottish Country Dance Society (which became ‘Royal’ when her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II became patron of the Society).

The event will take place at Bingeman’s Conference Centre in Kitchener, Ontario. Live music will be provided by Don Barlett and The Scottish Heirs. Tickets are $130 each. For more information, including the Ball Program, visit https://greatlakesball.wordpress.com