December 2018
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all at CSCD
November 2018
Children in Need, Cupar
Here’s an article from The Herald and St Andrews Citizen about the Cupar group’s Children in Need fund-raiser. Many thanks to all of you who were able to attend, for your support and very generous donations.
Autumn share day, Alva
September 2018
Judy Harvey’s Road to the Isles, by Diana Treffry
On the road to the isles Judy certainly led us Over the Hills, into the Skye Boat Song and eventually onto the Dark Isle, but this was also a journey in all sorts of other ways – through dance – through life.
It began the moment each of us arrived (after our journeys, long or short, to Cupar) with warm greetings from Judy and on all the café tables she had arranged quotations from prose and poetry on the theme of journeying to set us in the mood.
It began the moment each of us arrived (after our journeys, long or short, to Cupar) with warm greetings from Judy and on all the café tables she had arranged quotations from prose and poetry on the theme of journeying to set us in the mood.
Judy had created a striking centrepiece: on a turquoise cloth there was a vase of flowers, white and pale lavender, with some turquoise fronds; a plaid ribbon wound between three amethyst crystals; the candle was placed on a piece of weathered wood.
Once we’d started dancing and been introduced to Lesley Laslett’s Anticipation, Judy shared with us how circle dancing had been a life-saver for her after a breakdown. And in recognition of the power of the dance, we were touched when she brought Mandy so beautifully into the circle with the recording of her singing a traditional Macedonian song to which we danced.
We did a number of partner dances: an energetic Tarantella del villagio; Alongside, in which we moved apart as if round an obstacle, together again and onto another partner. There was great hilarity in Judy’s own Ashokan Farewell, when for the first time we did a grand chain and then went back the way we’d come; many journeys not being straightforward!
Several dances involved changes of direction, such as going backwards in the line of dance or out of the circle – all hints at the unexpected twists and turns of life.
Among her own choreographies that Judy brought was one to the Enya song, So I could find my way, her personal thank you to circle dance. And we all had good reason to be grateful to the dance and to Judy for leading us on such a
special journey on the Road to the Isles.
Inspired by Judy I found a Hafiz poem and here is the last part (translated by Daniel Ladinsky), with which I think we all agree…
Oh keep squeezing drops of the Sun
From your prayers and work and music
And from your companions’ beautiful laughter
And from the most insignificant movements
Of your own holy body.
Now, sweet one,
Be wise.
Cast all your votes for Dancing
July 2018
Cupar group’s youngest circle dancer, by Rose Cross
Introducing the Cupar group’s youngest circle dancer Cara Laura-Jean Tully, aged 10 weeks, with Mum Jemma and Granny Janette.
Cara has been dancing since the age of 7 weeks and always joins in all the dances.
She particularly loves The Midwives Dance, which we danced especially for her at her first class.
Kinross end of term report, by Lynne Barlow
The end of term is here at last
For some of us that’s great
But others really like to dance
on each and every date.
Reports are out; you all did well,
but sometimes had a struggle,
Which foot is left which way is right,
It can be such a muddle.
Yemenites must be the worst,
and Grand chains too I’m sure.
But still you turned up every week
and always asked for more.
I’m very blessed to know you all,
it’s really been a pleasure
to teach and laugh and share with you.
These memories I will treasure.
Enjoy the break and have some fun.
So long, farewell to everyone.
April 2018
Stefan Freedman weekend, Cupar & Alloa
