Staff
The Fort Frances Highlanders Pipes and Drums is hosting a second Highland Dance workshop this Saturday and Sunday (Oct. 5-6) featuring acclaimed instructor George Hamilton.
This workshop, which will be held at the Masonic Hall (302 Scott St.) is open to primary, beginner, and novice dancers, and is a follow-up to one offered back in August.
Pipe Major Dr. Bruce Lidkea urged more young people to sign up for the workshop.
“We certainly got a great response last time but it really is one of those ‘the more, the merrier’ situations,” he said.
“Part of the Fort Frances Highlanders’ mandate is we are a teaching organization, and certainly over the last several years we’ve been teaching lots of pipes and drums,” Dr. Lidkea noted.
“And now it’s time to give a little bit more to our dance team.
“This year, we want to see more people learn and appreciate Highland Dance,” he stressed.
“Certainly we have a limited number of people we can accept due to limited space, but we do have openings yet and we’d love to see some fresh faces,” Dr. Lidkea added.
The primary group (ages five-10) will run from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. each day while the beginner/novice groups will run from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. (with breaks).
“We want to make sure that everybody gets as much out of George’s instruction while he’s here,” Dr. Lidkea said.
“We want to make it that everybody gets the best experience they can over the weekend.”
Dances covered will include the Highland Fling, the Sword Dance, the Scottish Lilt, Flora MacDonald’s Fancy, and Sean Triubhas.
Dancers who attended the first workshop performed at the “Kraft Celebration Tour” event here in late August. And they will be called on for future performances.
Dr. Lidkea noted the Fort Frances Highlanders have brought dancers on the road with them for a number of years.
“We just want to make sure everybody stays on the right track,” he explained. “They’re growing as artists and we want to make sure they get the chance to learn new things.
“For years, we were doing the Highland Fling and The Sword Dance—that’s fantastic, that’s what people want to see,” he reasoned.
“But certainly people also want to see the Lilt and the Flora and the Sean Triubhas, and we want to be able to give the dancers the opportunity to learn all these fantastic dances.”
Those interested in attending the workshop are asked to contact Dr. Lidkea to see if any spots are available.
He can be reached at 274-4295 (home) or 275-9882 (cell), or via e-mail at BruceLidkea@hotmail.com
