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Dance Class and Social Evening
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Between September and July, Tuesday is the night we all get together on a regular basis (currently with the exception of the 3rd Tuesday of each month). We are now based at the U.K.C.A (see Location) — the best description is a social night with dance instruction, you don’t have to dance to attend however and some people come with their partners or by themselves just to chat and enjoy the atmosphere. (Please note this is an Adult class, younger visitors are very welcome however, they are usually better dancers than we are!)
Introduction Session 5:30 pm until 6:00 pm
If you want to try Scottish country dancing but haven’t danced before (or it was a long time ago) there is an informal ‘Class’ before the evening starts to go through some of the basic steps and formations and explain the general idea of the dancing. This is free of charge but it is expected that you will stay for at least part of the general social evening afterwards for which there is a charge (the dance program caters to all levels).
Make sure you are wearing suitable footwear, trainers are fine to start with or any other flat flexible shoes—but make sure they will stay on your feet properly so they don’t trip you up. See - the 'warnings' below for more about footwear.
Since the introduction / beginners session is only for 1/2 an hour time is the enemy so try and be prompt!
General Dancing and Social Evening — 6 pm to 8 pm
The emphasis throughout is on having fun and enjoying yourself rather than fantastic technique. The evening is a sociable one, and we now have bar service so please don't bring anything yourself (UKCA is one of the cheapest bars in Paphos, and they can make you a cup of tea too if that's your tipple). There is no pressure to dance if you don’t want to, or can’t for some reason, but if you do want to dance you’ll find it easy to join in, in fact almost impossible not to, and you don’t need to come equipped with a partner—although sets are made up of ‘couples’ everyone dances with everyone else in Scottish dancing — all our ‘singles’ get plenty of chances to dance.
Usually the dance program is split, with the first half consisting of mainly ‘easy’ dances and the second half containing the more ‘advanced’ dances - because we have so many people of mixed abilities attending the class; if people want to come and dance all night, that's brilliant, but if they don't want to attempt too much - or prefer just the more 'complex' dances they can attend for just that section of the evening. A program for the evening is displayed on this website (see 'Tuesday Programme' link above -with links to instructions and You Tube examples if available) and on the night - with a brief description of each of the dances to allow dancers to judge if they will enjoy them or find them too challenging or not challenging enough!
All dances are walked through and ‘called’ if required.
Warnings
Introduction Session 5:30 pm until 6:00 pm
If you want to try Scottish country dancing but haven’t danced before (or it was a long time ago) there is an informal ‘Class’ before the evening starts to go through some of the basic steps and formations and explain the general idea of the dancing. This is free of charge but it is expected that you will stay for at least part of the general social evening afterwards for which there is a charge (the dance program caters to all levels).
Make sure you are wearing suitable footwear, trainers are fine to start with or any other flat flexible shoes—but make sure they will stay on your feet properly so they don’t trip you up. See - the 'warnings' below for more about footwear.
Since the introduction / beginners session is only for 1/2 an hour time is the enemy so try and be prompt!
General Dancing and Social Evening — 6 pm to 8 pm
The emphasis throughout is on having fun and enjoying yourself rather than fantastic technique. The evening is a sociable one, and we now have bar service so please don't bring anything yourself (UKCA is one of the cheapest bars in Paphos, and they can make you a cup of tea too if that's your tipple). There is no pressure to dance if you don’t want to, or can’t for some reason, but if you do want to dance you’ll find it easy to join in, in fact almost impossible not to, and you don’t need to come equipped with a partner—although sets are made up of ‘couples’ everyone dances with everyone else in Scottish dancing — all our ‘singles’ get plenty of chances to dance.
Usually the dance program is split, with the first half consisting of mainly ‘easy’ dances and the second half containing the more ‘advanced’ dances - because we have so many people of mixed abilities attending the class; if people want to come and dance all night, that's brilliant, but if they don't want to attempt too much - or prefer just the more 'complex' dances they can attend for just that section of the evening. A program for the evening is displayed on this website (see 'Tuesday Programme' link above -with links to instructions and You Tube examples if available) and on the night - with a brief description of each of the dances to allow dancers to judge if they will enjoy them or find them too challenging or not challenging enough!
All dances are walked through and ‘called’ if required.
Warnings
- If you are attending for the first time please note that the floor is tiled, as are most of the floors in Cyprus. It is hard on the feet; Scottish dancers wear ‘ballet flats’ or ‘ghillies’ usually with some cushioning insoles, but trainers, pumps or similar footwear are fine to start with and will provide some initial cushioning until you get used to it. Flip flops (thongs if you are Australian!), sandals or shoes that aren't fully attached to your feet or footwear with heels are not suitable for Scottish Country Dancing.
- Many Scottish Dances are energetic, but if you don’t consider yourself fit don't let this stop you, there are always some slower dances on the programme too and dancing is an ideal way to get, and keep, fitter, mentally and physically, however if you do have health problems please let the session leader know as some dances may not be suitable for you. Efforts are made to keep people safe but ultimately you are in charge of your own health.
- This is not Ceilidh dancing although is it closely related to it — once in a set you are part of a team and you may not be able to stop until the dance is ended!
The St Andrew Group in Paphos holds social events & Scottish Country Dance classes throughout the year.
Everyone is welcome to join us whether a permanent resident or visitor
All Images on this site are copyright Janine Scott unless otherwise stated.