Past Events

Dannsa Meets Beolach

November 2009

Dannsa went on tour with Cape Breton group Beolach. (www.beolach.com) after our busy Starthspe Away. We went to the north (Inverness), west (Skye), south (Edinburgh) and lastly the middle (Birnam) of Scotland. With some of the best musicians and dancers from Cape Breton and Scotland on board this turned out to be a great show. 

As well as Dannsa and Beolach performing there own sets, they had spent the week before working on two new pieces that involved everyone, either playing, dancing, singing. Some people even had to do more than one! These sets meant there was a real meeting between the two groups and although from 1000 of miles a part both cultures worked really well together and it was an impressive spectacle. Both groups hope it can happen again somewhere.

Strathspey Away

November  2009

‘Sgoinneil’........fantastic, was the overriding feeling on this years Strathspè Away Festival in Kingussie as greater numbers flocked from throughout the country to attend. From the first opening bars of the Bella MacNab Ceilidh Band on Friday night through to the final ‘Ho-ro gheallaidh’ get-together, the energy and wow connected all those who danced, sang and played at the festival; professionals and novices alike; those who attended only one class and those who were there for the whole weekend.
The sun shone the whole weekend showing Badenoch at its best. Dannsa, who host the festival, made it a homecoming indeed, extending the welcome as far as Cape Breton, Spain and Ireland. The performances at lunchtime and in the evenings were of the highest standard; Beolach from Cape Breton, Alba Flamenca and Dannsa. Classes were attended by over 200 people.
Everyone is looking forward to revisiting Kingussie in 2010 when the festival takes place on 12-14 November. 
 

The Dannsa Ceilidh Band:

Spring/Summer 2009, Highlands

The new dannsa Ceilidh Band with Caroline calling the dances, played in Achiltibuie, South Queensferry, Newtonmore and Dalguise this spring followed by a three night tour this summer. In the summer they started with a full house at the Gaelic college in Skye. They then headed north to Poolewe, where they warmed-up the atmosphere with an afternoon dance workshop, in preparation for the ceilidh. The night had the feel of a traditional ceilidh, with a lot of 'ceilidhers' adding to the dannsa repetoire with performances of their own in between the dances. Next day was a drive over one the most amazing road in the country to Applecross, where the band finished the week off with another great night.
“great ceilidh band and they played some cracking tunes, plus good calling....the inclusion of those pipes really made the band'” participant South Queensferry.
‘I have never seen so many people rush to get onto our small dance floor. And keen ceilidh dancers were travelling over 60 miles to attend’ promoter Sabhal Mor Ostaig, Skye
The Ceilidh Band will have more dates in 2010 - watch this space!

Caroline and Fin at Ceolas

3rd-11th of July 2009, South Uist

Caroline and Fin went to South Uist to learn from one of the great step dancers from Cape Breton. Harvey Beaton. They had a great week learning some new steps and trying to make some the old ones better!
Caroline also took singing classes with some of the the best Gaelic singers, Rona Lightfoot, Catriona Garbutt and Gillbride MacMillan and Fin also learned some tunes from John MacLean, a great Cape Breton traditional piper. They both had a great week, taking in all the evening ceilidhs and concerts. Sandra joined them half way through the week, for a photo shoot with John Sikorski. They had a great few hours on one of South Uists many beautiful beaches.

Gaelic Schools

workshop Spring '09

Dannsa built on the success of the previous residencies to six Gaelic schools in 2006 by
delivering traditional dance and music classes again this year. Dannsa visited the primary schools in Dingwall, Portree, Tollcross and Newtonmore teaching all classes through the medium of Gaelic ensuring that Gaelic medium pupils feel included in the “Homecoming” project this year(2009). Sandra Robertson and Caroline Reagh taught step dance with Fin Moore on pipes accompanying the workshops. At Tollcross Primary School, Dannsa were joined by Gillebride MacIllemhaoil and by Liz MacLean at Portree Primary School who both sang in Gaelic for the workshops.