LET'S HAVE A FLING!

March, 2000 ~ Me and Teddy WELCOME YOU TO.. JUNIOR HIGHLAND DANCING





HERE I AM! ~ My name is Sterling...I am going to be taking Highland
Dance lessons from Colleen Rintamaki.this picture when I was younger I
am trying to do the 2nd position.....



MY HIGHLAND DANCE TEACHER
My dance teachers name is Colleen Rintamaki,
Pickering, Ontario, Canada
She is a member of the B.A.T.D.
8 time World Champion
13 time Canadian & Ontario Champion
8 time Commonwealth Champion
Winner of the 1998 YTV Achievement Award
Winner of Millennium Challenge of Champions




Colleen's students put on a concert each year on
Mothers Day at Trafalgar Castle, Whitby Ontario;
this picture of me (Sterling),Kade and our Teacher was
taken at "Colleen's Ceilidh"


Me and Kade at Trafalgar after the Ceilidh
Kade takes Highland Lessons at Colleens too






A 'PRIMARY' COMPETITOR....age 6 yrs
(ME - Sterling - Primary -
Tartan "Red Dress Drummond")




Here's some information that Mum looked up
describing what Highland Dancing is about!

HIGHLAND DANCING
Highland Dancing is a combination of movement,
music, and costume. The dances are generally danced solo
and in competition. The music~~a tune on the bagpipes.
There are usually four or six steps to a dance. Anyone, not
only those who are Scottish, but anyone, who loves dancing,
enjoys the sound of the bagpipes or just wants to learn
Highland Dancing can join in and learn the dances!!!





HIGHLAND DANCING ~~ ABOUT COMPETITION

Me (Sterling) waiting in line...



Our Awards

Lined up for the massed Fling






ABOUT THE JUDGING....


Sterling ~ 'Awards' ~ Uxbridge, July 24, 2004

In competitions standardized dance steps are usually
performed solo to Bagpipe music; Judges evaluate dancers
ontiming, technique and interpretive elements such as
balance and general appearance




EXAMPLES OF HIGHLAND DANCES:
(only select ones are performed at specific competitions)

HIGHLAND FLING
Warriors traditionally performed this victory dance on a
small round shield called a targ. Most targs had a short steel
spike in the centre, so the dance has to be performed on one
spot without wandering. It's said the actions imitate a stag on
a hill, fingers grouped and upheld arms representing antlers.

SWORD DANCE (Ghillie Callum)
This dance of war, is believed to have originated in the 19th
century. Legend says that after killing one of Macbeth's chiefs
in 1504, Ghillie Callum, a Celtic prince, celebrated by dancing
over two crossed swords or one sword and his enemy's bloody head.
Another story is that the dance was performed before battles;
kicking a sword meant bad luck.

SEANN TRIUBBHAS:
Pronounced shawn trews, it means "old trousers" in English. Some
say the dance celebrates the abolition of Britain's 1747 Disarming
Act in 1783, allowing Scots to play bagpipes and wear kilts and
tartans again. The first section of the dance represents a person
removing his trousers; the last section displays ease, agility and
the freedom of wearing a kilt.

HIGHLAND REEL
Legend says the highland reel was invented by wedding guests
trying to keep warm while waiting for a minister to arrive at
church. There are teams of four dancers, although competitors
are judged individually. In competition, the Highland Reel is
always preceded by the Strathspey.

IRISH JIG
The Scottish version of this dance represents an Irish washerwoman
who's angry at her husband. The steps are traditional Irish although
the arm movements aren't.

SCOTTISH NATIONAL DANCES:
Scottish Lilt, Flora MacDonald's Fancy, Scotch Measure, Earl of Errol
Blue Bonnets, Village Maid - they are more flowing and ballet-like
than the typical Highland dances. The rhythms are often more com-
plicated.

SAILOR'S HORNPIPE:
Common to many parts of the British Isles, this dance portrays ship-
yard activities such as pulling ropes, climbing the rigging, and
looking out to sea.






"Me" in my crazy costume at my Aunt Lisa's
Ceilidh (at Valleyview Park in Oshawa)
Everyone had to wear "Plaid"; we sure had fun!





Gladys' CELTIC CORNER MUM'S WEBSITE ~ "HIGHLAND"


SCOT DANCE CANADA CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES



HIGHLAND DANCING at COLLEENS!



GILLIE CALLUM ~ HIGHLAND



COWAL WORLD HIGHLAND DANCE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Official Cowal Highland Gathering Web Site



DANCE ART
Highland Dancing Message Board

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