Highland dancing

Oh m'goodness ye are so right barddas!!
They lined the whole lot of the '7 and unders' on the stage, then handed out the awards. First they handed out the Fling she didn't place, but kept smiling ...though her eyes looked a wee bit unhappy. Then they handed out the sword, the smile faded away with that one. We were all just SO proud of her for getting through all her dances, but I guess being 7 she was hoping to get something. THEN when they announced the Lilt and she got bronze, well ..... !! *lol*

Sometimes I believe the parents get as nervous as their children when their in competition. I know, my heart has beat as fast as a drum when my girls were competing in an activity. I was sweating bullets!

Congratulations to your daughter, CelticAingeal! I'm sure this is just the beginning for many wins for her. I know you were proud of her, no matter what, but I'm glad she placed. I know you were holding your breath!

maggiemahone1

CA... that's fantastic news!

The beauty is, she'll have the skill for later in life. I love it when the ladies get up infront of the stage and dance right there in the pubs!
Pass along congratulations for her Gold Medal Winning performance (according to all of us).

I think I'll have a Guinness to celebrate... surprise, surprise!

Thanks so much Maggie and GB!!

You are right on the mark with the sweating bullets and holding my breath Maggie. She tends to be a bit of an emotional wee thing and every time she started to dance I just clasped my hands and held my breath hoping she would just make it through and get that confidence she needed. Funny, I had never thought of nervousness on the parents part.....but oh m'goodness it is so true!!

GB, that is so sweet of ye..... I'll pass that along to her for sure!! And, aye...it is so great when they get into something, enjoy it and want to carry on....they gain so much that they can apply to life when they get older. Oh, and enjoy the Guinness!!

I did Higland Dancing from about 5 to 19. Most summers we had to trek around all the Gatherings in Scotland to take part in the dance section. My brother was a piper.

One of the biggest Gatherings is held at Braemar, the Royal Family usually attend and it is even more nerve wracking than normal!

When I was about 8, I had to present the Queen with a bouquet..... my parents were so proud of the photograph.... How sad for them that I grew up to be a committed Nationalist - although I grew out of it - but I am still not a Royalist in any shape or form!


Our Gatherings are quite different to the reports I've heard about your Games. We have sheepdog trials, cattle shows etc, as well as dancing, piping and field events like the Caber etc. We do not have the huge side shows like clan tents etc.... I think this is probably because most of us are aware of our ancestry etc and so there would be only a very limited market for the goods which appear to be sold. There is a much more commercial feel to our Gatherings nowadays, though - but in the main it seems to be local crafts that are popular, like potters and silversmiths.

Wow!! That is a LOT of dancing. I hope our daughter will enjoy and want to continue it that long. It must have been a wonderful experience travelling all over Scotland for the Gatherings.

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How sad for them that I grew up to be a committed Nationalist - although I grew out of it - but I am still not a Royalist in any shape or form!

.....glad to hear it!!

The competitions here for dancing can range from a full Highland Gathering to a simple competition held in a hall or theater. Her first competition this past weekend was just for dancing, which I think was good. The crowd was small. I'm looking forward to traveling round to various competitions in a more 'Gathering' type setting, as she gets older.

CelticAingeal everyone covered this subject so well = here is just an after thought. remind your daughter everytime she practices whether its for family, friends, or for the family cat or dog, she has just attained more experience. Also she cannot discount festivals she has performed, Some of those festivals just may have held the same judges in the audience. They may have already seen her.

Remind her that they love the same things she does and even if for a day they have a title of Judge they have probably had their day being judged also
Everybody practices for what to do if it all goes well. Have her prepared
what to do if she misteps or something goes wrongl. Nothing is so appreciated as a performer who can comeback from diveristy. It shows the "judges" a sincere desire to perform whatever the art may be, and the level of maturity and mastery even at a young age

If she gets bittin by the stage bug "appreciation of applause" you may have to drag her off stage. lol

My best wisher to you and your family

Knightly Knight, I so very much appreciate the time and consideration ye have put into these words of wisdom....thank ye so much!! That is such an interesting way to look at the judges and explain it to her. I'm sure it will make a difference. I know for myself when I competed as a dancer in ballet and jazz, I was sooooooo intimidated by the adjudicators. Your perspective on it shines a whole new light. One I think people of all ages, who find themselves competing, would find comfort in.

You were right about the stage bug....*lol* She is already asking, '.....when, when, when is the next competition?'

All the best to you and yours m'friend!!

OCH!!!! How can ye tell it's been a long day.....*lol* To clarify, that is 'ME' up above there.

My son and daughter will be competing at the Southern N.H. games this Saturday. Here a few tidbits that I think works. First, it is their decision to dance. I give them the means, but in the end it?s their decision. Now if they choose to dance they are expected to practice and they are expected to keep all of their dance things together in an orderly fashion. We coach them to not look at the people or even the judges ? look above their heads and picture that you are dancing in the living room. Sometimes we will put the music on and have them close their eyes and picture themselves dancing the perfect dance ? then on the second time the song plays start dancing. Most of all, they are to have fun ? it?s not about the medals, although the medals are nice, in the end it is about having fun performing, feel special in your full highland dress and overcoming being in front of crowds of people. It?s about meeting new people, making new friends and going to places that you have never been before to compete.

Of course, I am so proud of them!

Good luck to your son and daughter this weekend, Paul. Please come back and let us know how it went!!

That it is their own decision, is so important....I fully agree. I try to keep a watchful eye on our daughter to make sure she's enjoying it. If it ever became a chore, or a child was doing it for the wrong reasons that is definately time to stop and re-evaluate things. Up till now I've always reminded her to practice, kept track of her things.....just kind of set an example of what should be done. Ye make a good point though, at some point it's important to back away and let them take more responsibility for it. Envisioning the dance is a grrreat idea!! Hadn't thought of that one. There are just so many positive aspects of experiences like this.

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in the end it is about having fun performing, feel special in your full highland dress and overcoming being in front of crowds of people. It?s about meeting new people, making new friends and going to places that you have never been before to compete.

I couldn't have put it better myself. Thanks for the great tidbits, Paul!!

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Thanks for the great tidbits, Paul!!

Well, I have to admit I do need to remind them to practice dance! But it is kinda funny because I see a big improvement in their attitude while they are dancing in afterwards. Actually you might run across Highland Lassie on this board, she frequents it during the day so I better not say too much!

But I have to say if I were 25 years younger I might even throw a kilt on and enter a competition looks like lots of fun and a great way to burn calories!

When I was a child I did Highland, tap, ballet and 'modern' (as it was called in my day!)... no wonder I was exhausted at the end of a typical day.

I kept up the modern and highland until after I had left school, but they then impacted too heavily on my increasingly busy social life!

My daughter did ballet, tap and modern to a high grade, but gave them up at about 16 in favour of playing in her school orchestra and in a wind ensemble (she plays clarinet). She also plays piano, guitar and drums. She never showed any interest in doing Highland dance - although she loves country dancing at ceilidhs

QUOTE (Macfive @ Jun 2 2003, 11:46 PM)

But I have to say if I were 25 years younger I might even throw a kilt on and enter a competition looks like lots of fun and a great way to burn calories!

There is a mental image I do NOT need !

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But I have to say if I were 25 years younger I might even throw a kilt on and enter a competition  looks like lots of fun and a great way to burn calories!

*lol*....that is for sure!! I'd love to do it too. At the competition a couple weeks ago, I had to work the registration table for the afternoon. The afternoon was for dancers 14 and older. There was one woman there to compete, I swear must have been in her late 20's, early 30's. I was so impressed, I thought ' You go GIRL!!'.

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When I was a child I did Highland, tap, ballet and 'modern' (as it was called in my day!)... no wonder I was exhausted at the end of a typical day. I kept up the modern and highland until after I had left school, but they then impacted too heavily on my increasingly busy social life!

*tee hee hee*....I know what ye mean, darn those social lives!! I did ballet, tap and jazz from a wee lass till grade 11. Then I got too involved in high school, studies and that darn 'social life' thing and gave up my dancing. There is a group in town who does Scottish country dancing.....I am thinking of joining in next year. I think it would be a lot of fun.