Celtic Connections

John D Carswell, Linlithgow, Scotland

Dancing Scottish at Celtic Connections Celtic Connections is a well-established traditional music festival held annually in the second half of January in Glasgow in a wide variety of venues from the Glasgow Concert Hall, downwards. I think it is quite a catch for the Society to have become associated with it – well done those who “fixed” it – but it might not be everyone’s cup of tea! Members outside Scotland should perhaps also realise that in Scotland, there is another world of Scottish Dancing beyond the RSCDS! I joined the Society to dance and I was therefore excited and delighted to be dancing at a Society event on 16th January that was part of the Festival, held in the Saint Luke’s Centre in the East End of Glasgow. This is (yet) another interesting, galleried converted church similar to The Oran Mhor and St Andrew’s in the Square. With 150 dancers it was well filled and a little crowded but had a great atmosphere! There were no children but a good range of other ages and, like me, all keen to dance. A few Society members were there, including the Chairman elect, and the local MSP, John Mason. He was not really a dancer but was proud to be there and wished for more Scottish dancing in the venue and in Scotland. For want of a better term this was “ceilidh dancing”. As was to be expected it was a basic dance programme with the set country dances such as The Flying Scotsman and Virginia Reel the most popular, so there is plenty of scope for the Graded Books! Gary Coull did a superb job as MC/Caller: I liked his style, ie out in the middle of the dance floor with his mic (microphone)! The Gary Sutherland Ceilidh Band was lively and competent and would be enjoyed by many although a full drum kit is not to my taste. I think the Society (i.e. Branches and Members etc.) should gear itself up if it wishes to have bright young things who want to dance but do not wish to attend classes. Having got its foot in the door, I hope the Society will build on it and perhaps even think of a future “Celtic Dance Festival” within Celtic Connections. I keep thinking of 2023… and where will we be?