Hogmanay: You could be dancing, yeah

Published on Sunday 28 December 2008 18:42

IT'S traditional at Hogmanay to enjoy a good knees-up, but there's much more to New Year than the conventional ceilidh. As part of this year's Hogmanay celebrations, revellers in Edinburgh will be able to take part in The Dancin', a free event that aims to celebrate the world of dance and all it has to offer.

Taking place in the Grassmarket from 8pm tomorrow there will be events across three stages as well as the studios of Scotland's national centre for dance, Dance Base. And with traditional dance featuring heavily on the itinerary some people are predicting it could mark a renewed interest in Scottish country dancing, especially with the celebration of the 250th anniversary of Robert Burns' birth, set to revive interest in traditional Scottish culture in 2009.

Jane Balman of the Stirling branch of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society says: "Scottish country dancing is consistently popular.It would be great to see some more young people taking it up in 2009, especially since it's such a good way to stay fit and meet new people."

Highlights of The Dancin' include a preview of the new specially commissioned dance for the Year of Homecoming by the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society as well as Sandy Brechin's Allstars, Portobello Ceilidh Band and The Last Jig Band on the ceilidh stage. And for those looking for something a bit different, there will be morris dancing and line dancing as well as tap, breakdance, burlesque and Bollywood dancing courtesy of Bollywood Steps.

With thousands expected to turn out tomorrow, does this mark a new interest in folk dancing for 2009? Folk music is already enjoying something of a revival, with artists including the Peatbog Faeries, Moshie's Bagel, Burach and Watergaw all performing at the street party on Hogmanay itself. With Ballroom in danger of becoming passe, could traditional dancing be the next Strictly?

According to Rowan MacGregor, principal of Glasgow dance school Destination Dance: "In the same way that traditional music is now a bit more commercial and geared towards younger people, we could see a similar move with traditional dance. I can't foresee it competing with the likes of commercial jazz, street dance or hip hop with young people, and it just doesn't have the glamour that Latin and Ballroom have which makes them so visually appealing to television audiences. But many people who might be worried that Ballroom is too difficult for them will happily take part in Scottish country dancing.

"Ceilidhs are really popular at the moment too with young people. I know a lot of 18 and 21 year olds who are having ceilidhs for the their birthdays."

In 2009 Dance Base will be offering classes in ceilidh and Highland dancing, and classes are proving increasingly popular. "More than 2,000 people a week participate in over 120 courses and classes. More and more people are using dance as a way to get fit, have fun and make new friends," says James Allenby, marketing manager of Dance Base.

All in all there's no excuse not to be tapping your feet this Hogmanay, and who knows, with folk dancing looking like it might be the new Ballroom in 2009, perhaps you'll be on the cusp of a trend.