Jan finished her teaching with us last night and we had a very enjoyable evening. We danced – For Lack of Silver, Gaelforce Wint, The Saltire Strathspey, The Missing Turn, Calanais Stones and Seton’s Ceilidh Band.
In January and February we get quite a few visitors as other classes have not started for the year yet. Dances were (with some step practice exercises) – The Sorcerer, Bristol Fashion, The Dancers Wedding, Clutha and The Miller of Sessine. Thank you Jan, we enjoyed our evening with you.
A warm January evening saw the class, with some visitors, pace itself through Follow Me Home, Festival Interceltique, City of Belfast, The Fireworks Reel and Come to the Ceilidh.
Our first class back for the year saw the hall filled with 18 dancers eager to start the New Year off with some dancing. Jan took the class through Over the Rainbow, Lady Home’s Jig, Kildonan Sands, The Calanais Stones and Granville Market.
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.