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
9:30 am-Dancing begins with the Lilt followed by the Primary Pas de Bas.
Morning Awards
1:30 pm- Competition begins with the Barracks
Our Judge will be: Christine Neufeld- Sarnia, Ontario CA
DANCE EVENTS
PRIMARY
1. 16 Pas De Bas
2. Pas De Bas and High Cuts
3. Highland Fling-4
4. Sword Dance- 2 & 1
BEGINNER
5. Scottish Lilt- 4
6. Highland Fling- 4
7. Sword Dance- 2 & 1
8. Seann Truibhas- 3 & 1
NOVICE
9. Scottish Lilt-4
10. Highland Fling-4
11. Sword Dance- 2& 1
12. Seann Truibhas 2&1
INTERMEDIATE
13. Barracks- 4
14. Highland Fling- 6
15. Sword Dance-2 & 2
16. Seann Truibhas- 4 & 2
PREMIER
(Cash prizes for oldest
group only $50, $40, $30)
17. Barracks- 4
18. Highland Fling-6
19. Sword Dance- 2 & 2
20. Seann Truibhas- 4& 2
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. |