A balmy night saw the class dancing Spiffin’, Melanie’s Reel, A Dancer’s Dream, Going Dutch and Hanna’s Pride. Thank you Cathryn for the last 2 months for you very enjoyable and infectious teaching.
A Bratach Bana warm-up, a revisit of Diana’s AWEsome dance competition dance entry, A Farewell to Scotland (make it sad, people), the Pinewoods Reel and the Flowers of Edinburgh (with poussette ghosting) made it a jig-free evening.
Remembrance Day saw the class dancing Ayrshire Wheelie Bin, Peggy’s Strathspey, The Hungarian Bride and Tribute to Timor. Thank you Cathryn for an interesting and challenging night.
Looking across to New Zealand last night we danced The Meeting of the Waters, Happy to Meet, The Withywhistle, The Lords of the Wind and The Glittering Caves.
Scots on The Rocks is a not for profit organisation dedicated to promoting Scottish Country Dancing in Sydney, Australia.
"A late 1990s BBC documentary exploring the question of 'what makes people happy' concluded that the activity generating the greatest degree of happiness in its participants was Scottish country dancing. The aerobic demands of this type of dancing are considerable, and enthusiasts of all ages tend to be physically fit. So here is a hobby that is officially more fun than sex and also better exercise. What's more, you are not only allowed to change partners - it would be impolite not to." (http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A315929)
"Let us take another example: Scottish country dancing. This is very social, it involves use and development of skills, and is relaxing in the sense that tensions can be discharged. It is in addition a complete world of its own, with special costumes and rituals, and it includes the arousal of a great deal of joy, partly through the music."
Argyle, M., The Psychology of Happiness (London, 1987).
An article from Men's Health (Australia - Jan 03) magazine explored this further - Have A Fling by Sean Thomas.