The Gay Gordons
Ian Who?
Scots Heritage Lived
The Gay Gordons of London and Edinburgh are now affiliated to the RSCDS.
As a dancer, should you be able to recognise one ‘ian’ from another! Yes, you should, as you never know when you might meet one on the dance floor and a dancer should always come prepared to a dance. Is it Orcadian, Circassian, Sicilian or Aberdonian?
One of many RSCDS branches – but unique! Kingston, Ontario, Canada is located approximately equidistant from Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa, so our members have the opportunity to dance throughout the region including Belleville, Brockville, Ottawa, Peterborough, Picton and Toronto. Our unofficial motto is ‘Keep on Dancing’.
Founded in London in October 2005, the Gay Gordons is open to all, priding itself on inclusivity and friendliness. Although particularly aimed at gay men and women, with a predominantly male membership, members of all ages and backgrounds combine to make it the success that it is. The group has gone from strength to strength in its first seven years, growing in membership numbers and popularity, as well as gaining recognition across London. A weekly social evening, at which beginners are warmly welcomed, mixes simple and more challenging dances, with basic technique, under the guidance of an RSCDS trained teacher. Intermediate classes ran successfully for several years, but will now be replaced by social dances for more experienced dancers. The group hosts regular ‘geilidhs’, where dancers of all abilities enjoy ceilidh dancing together, as well as an annual intensive week of Scottish country dancing, at Laurieston Hall in Dumfries and Galloway, which attracts experienced dancers, not just from London, but from across the UK. Throughout the year, the Gay Gordons take part in many varied events, giving dance demonstrations at Pride, in London, Cornwall, Belfast, Manchester and Rome as well as the Harpenden Highland Gathering and the Assembly Rooms Edinburgh. The group also supports numerous charity and community events with performances for Walk for Life, Big Dance, Open Doors and Age Concern. The Gay Gordons have introduced Scottish country dancing to a new, diverse and enthusiastic audience and, as with other dance groups, a social network has been created in which friendships are formed. As well as the London group, independent Gay Gordons branches have been subsequently launched in Manchester and Edinburgh. Gay Gordons Edinburgh were affiliated to the Society earlier this year, at the same time as the London group. Gay Gordons Manchester are in the process of applying. More information is at thegaygordons.org Daniel Capron
The MC announces that The Reel of the 51st Division will be danced Aberdonian or Strip the Willow danced Orcadian. Dancers could also be asked to form a Sicilian circle or a Circassian circle. Would you know what to do? And which of these is also known as Round the Room? The dance from Book 1 called Circassian Circle is in Sicilian form, i.e. dancers stand in fours, all round the room, each man having his partner on his right side, and another couple opposite, everyone dancing at the same time. The Circassian form on the other hand is a dance like Circle Waltz or Sheena’s Saunter where all couples form a circle, each man having his partner on his right side and all facing in. The word ‘Sicilian’ tends to be used in English and American dancing rather than Round the Room as used in Scottish dancing circles. Orcadian dances (not to be confused with Arcadian or Greek Peloponnesus) are simply dances from the Orkney Isles, from the original Latin name ‘Orcades’ for the Orkney and Shetland Isles. When Strip the Willow is danced in this style (rather than as in Book 1) 1st couple turn each other with the right hand and then the opposite sides with the left successively until the bottom of the set is reached. Other couples join in generally after 16 bars or at will. A set comprises ‘as many as will’, i.e. one long set of couples down the room. Music tends to be continuous and generally stops when the first dancers return to the very top after twice down and back or the musicians tire! Aberdonian style (often adopted by Reelers) is where a dance such as The Reel of the 51st Division or Duke of Perth is modified into a two-couple dance and danced in one long set of couples, down the room. It is easy to see how The Reel of the 51st Division is danced as a two-couple dance but for Duke of Perth the reels of three on the sides at the end are replaced by reels of four across. Music tends to be continuous and generally only stops when the first dancers return to the very top. So, next time you meet an ‘ian’ you will now know whether to say Hello or Goodbye! Stephen Webb
Our branch is privileged to be part of the strong Scottish heritage of this area of Ontario. Kingston, the original capital city of Canada, was also the home of Sir John A. Macdonald, Canada’s first Prime Minister. This year was the 197th anniversary of the birth of ‘the olde chieftain’ and major bicentennial celebrations are planned for 2015. Before his election to parliament, Sir John practised law from one of the ‘old stones’ of Kingston located on King Street. This building is now home to ‘Sir John A.’s Public House’ where you can sample deepfried haggis fritters as well as fine whisky. You can also enjoy a historical walking tour ‘In Sir John A’s Footsteps’. Thanks to Queen’s University, a mobile ‘app’ enables visitors to do the walk all year round. Queen’s University also boasts Scottish roots, being formed originally under the auspices of the Scottish Presbyterian Church. Tartan tams and their marvellous Pipe Band are still a major part of their image. Amongst all of this, the Kingston Scottish Country Dancers attempt to spread their love of all things Scottish. While many Robbie Burns dinners are held every year, RSCDS Kingston’s Burns celebration always focuses on the dancing – even after a hearty meal of haggis, tatties and neeps and shortbread. Regular classes are held two nights a week from September to May. Summer dancing is held for six weeks at a small pavilion on the shores of Lake Ontario. When we experience high winds and waves, I like to imagine we are dancing on the sea coast of Scotland. On the first weekend of November we will host our 46th annual Workshop and Ball Weekend, including music by The Scottish Accent, North America’s premier dance band. (See Day School Diary for details.) As you can tell, Scottish country dancing is alive and well in Kingston Ontario! For more information see our website rscdskingston.org Better yet, come and join us! Beth Marshall
www.rscds.org
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