Anyways, it was held in the grand McEwan Hall, wooden floors, frescoes and a giant domed ceiling. The live band was something that had a name and was advertised, but I don't remember it now. The first dance I did was the one that is shown in the video (link below). The second dance, the last one, was a line double helix ladder of sorts. You dance with only your partner; he swings you around on one arm, tosses you to the waiting line of people standing shoulder to shoulder, you swing around with a person, they toss you to the middle, where you grab your partner again. You kind of hook down the line like the monkeys from a barrel of monkeys. I guess the best way I could describe it is I felt like a Jacob's Ladder toy of sorts. Great fun, tons of energy and exertion, and as I always like to do things--best when done barefoot.
The ending of the ceilidh was the giant circle everyone formed by holding hands. The band strikes up "Auld Lang Syne" , and everyone starts swinging your hands. At the second chorus, everyone runs forward, tightening the circle. You run back and forward, matching the tempo of the music that keeps increasing its speed. It ends when everyone is going too fast and is laughing.
Quite interesting. I'm really glad I did it. They are held on campus through various societies every time there is an occasion (during fresher's week there were probably 5). Oh yeah, and you don't need to know how to do it because there is an announcer, a caller, who calls out the dances and what to do.
Oh! How fun this looked. It reminds me quite a bit of square dancing-except to Scottish music of course. Folk dancing is always fun and even I like to do it, but your Dad is a big fan.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, have you seen any scotty dogs?
Love you,
Mom