RSCDS Glasgow's Summer Outreach

As part of its outreach initiatives, RSCDS Glasgow showcased Scottish Country Dancing at local events this summer, including the Westerton Gala Day and a visit to the Neilston Ladies Group. The performances celebrated the joy and spirit of Scottish dancing, engaging audiences with lively displays.

Our outreach efforts focus on advancing public education and engagement in Scottish Country Dancing across the Greater Glasgow area. We aim to keep this dancing tradition alive by providing instructions that meets Society standards, ensuring everyone has a great time enjoying the dance and its accompanying music. 
We connect with care homes and community groups, where our dance displays and music bring back fond memories for everyone involved. Plus, we’re always looking to team up with other local dance and music initiatives to keep enriching our community's cultural scene!

A Sunny Performance at Westerton Gala Day 2024
The Westerton Gala Day featured a joint dance demonstration from the Westerton Beginners/Improvers and St Joseph’s General classes. The dancers were grateful for the dry, warm, and sunny weather—a welcome change from August's rain in Glasgow. The dancers showcased a selection of favourite dances, including Granville Market, Shiftin’ Bobbins, Summer Assembly, Highland Rambler, and Postie’s Jig. The enthusiasm of the dancers shone through, attracting many visitors to the group’s stand. The event highlighted the inclusive and enjoyable nature of Scottish Country Dancing.

An Afternoon with the Neilston Ladies Group
In late August, we had another delightful opportunity to perform for the Neilston Ladies Group, who gave us a warm and enthusiastic welcome! The programme was thoughtfully curated to reflect both the time of year and the local history, featuring dances such as Happy Returns, Shiftin’ Bobbins, Summer Assembly, Friendships, Highland Rambler, and Postie’s Jig. In addition, our member, Sheena, recited an entertaining poem on ‘Summer in Scotland,’ which was met with much laughter. 

The afternoon included audience participation to familiar waltz tunes by Billy Gray, concluding with Auld Lang Syne, leaving everyone smiling and with happy memories.

Both the Westerton Gala Day and the visit to the Neilston Ladies Group perfectly showcased the joy and camaraderie that Scottish Country Dancing brings to everyone involved. These events not only generated renewed interest in Scottish dancing but also sparked excitement among many participants. In fact, past outreach events have often led to new members joining our dance family! 

All these events are made possible by our dedicated volunteers: Gale, Lilias, Margaret, Anne, Suzanne, Marion, Katie, Revathy, Ross, Adam, Vijay, Douglas, Ina, Ken, Liz, Susan, Sheena, Jane, Muriel and our very talented Billy Gray for providing wonderful music on both occasions!

Thanks to the infectious enthusiasm of our Outreach Convener, Anne Murray, our Branch is dedicated to promoting, educating, and engaging the wider community in Scottish Country Dancing. Through our participation in community events, we hope to foster a deeper appreciation for this dance tradition and create opportunities for people of all ages to experience the joy of dancing.