Highland Dance Competition 2008 was the first year for Highland Dance at the Saline Celtic Festival and it was a huge success and a wonderful addition to the festival. If you are interested in taking part in the 2009 festival, contact: Cindy Kopenski 734 453-5075 Download and Print a Highland Dance brochure with complete registration info>>>>. SCHEDULE - July 11, 2009 DANCE EVENTS 1. 16 Pas De Bas BEGINNER 5. Scottish Lilt- 4 NOVICE 9. Scottish Lilt-4 INTERMEDIATE 13. Barracks- 4 PREMIER 17. Barracks- 4 About the dances featured at the competition: The Highland Fling is the oldest of the traditional dances of Scotland and is a dance of joy performed at the end of a victorious battle. It was originally danced by male warriors over a small round shield, called a Targe, that the warriors carried into battle. Most Targes had a sharp steel spike projecting from the centre, so dancers learned early to move with great skill and dexterity. Today, the Highland Fling is danced on spot, with grouped fingers and upheld arms representing the antlers of a stag on a hillside. The Sword Dance (Gillie Challum) is a very old and powerful dance. Some say that the dance dates back to the days of Malcolm Canmore and began as a victory dance after battle. It is said that after winning a duel, Canmore took his and his opponent's sword, crossed them on the ground, and leapt jubilantly over them. Others say that the Sword Dance was danced prior to a battle. To kick the swords was considered a bad omen for the impending battle, and the soldier would expect to be wounded. If many of the soldiers kicked their swords the chieftain of the clan would expect to lose the battle. While the dancers make it look easy, the sword dance is very difficult and requires tremendous sill and dexterity in order to avoid displacing the swords. The Seann Triubhas, pronounced "shawn trews," is a Gaelic phrase meaning "old trousers". This dance dates back to the rebellion of 1745 when Bonnie Prince Charlie challenged the might of England at Culloden, and lost. As a penalty, Highlanders were forbidden to wear their kilts. The Seann Triubhas is a dance of celebration in response to the Proscription Repeal which restored to the Scots the right to wear their kilts and play the bagpipes once more. The movements of this dance clearly depict the legs defiantly shaking and shedding the hated trousers and returning to the freedom of the kilt. The lively quick time in the dance recreates the Highlanders’ celebration of rediscovered freedom. The Scottish Lilt is a very graceful, ballet-like dance that celebrates the Scottish life and heritage. The Scottish version of the Irish Jig is a caricature dance depicting an Irish washerwoman who is angry with her erring husband. The dance depicts a woman who shakes her firsts and flounces her skirt because she is furious with her husband who has been out drinking until the wee hours. |