Kiama fling for Scottish dancers
July 15, 2009
Section: News
EMMA SPILLETT
espillett@kiamaindependent.com.au
KIAMA residents may notice an influx of kilts, jigs and bagpipes in the area this week as the 34th Australian Winter School of Scottish Country Dancing is held.
An annual event, the workshop brings together seven Australian branches of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society and includes dancers from all over Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Austria and the UK.
More than 170 dance enthusiasts will converge on Kiama to attend classes during the day and social gatherings in the evenings.
Sydney branch assistant secretary Tricia Ashley said Kiama had been selected as the host for the event after a member fell in love with the town.
“She was travelling through Kiama on her way back from another event and she said Kiama reminded her of St Andrews in Scotland,” she said. “We visited a couple of times and thought the town had all the facilities we needed to host the event.”
Ms Ashley said the event aimed to create a community atmosphere for the dancers.
“They will all have lunch and dinner together at Kiama Leagues Club every day as we like to promote a social environment,” she said.
During the week, compulsory dance classes will be held in the morning and optional classes in the afternoon. The classes focused on technique and formations.
Participants will have the chance to be involved in a variety of events in the evenings, extending from social dancing to a Grand Ball on the final evening.
Although the events and workshops are full, Mrs Ashley said interested residents would not be turned away from viewing.
“They’ll probably hear us … if the weather is good, we might even do a demonstration outside,” she said.
