Royal Scottish Country Dancers to Perform at Cumming Library

Hearts and feet will pound in rhythm with traditional Scottish music at the Cumming Library as dancers from the Atlanta Branch of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society perform on Sunday, December 6 at 2:00 p.m.

The performance is part of the Forsyth County Public Library’s One World Forsyth cultural programming and will include a dance demonstration and traditional Scottish treats. Patrons will also have a chance to design their own clan tartan.

All ages are welcome at the event. The event is free and advance registration is not required.

Scottish Country Dancing is the traditional ballroom and barn dancing of Scotland. Most of the dances were devised in the 18th century and have been preserved through the efforts of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society (RSCDS) headquartered in Edinburgh, Scotland.

“Unlike the folk dances of most other countries, Scottish Country Dance doesn’t seem to have been confined to one grade of society only,” explains Bob Messner of the Atlanta Branch of the RSCDS. “Tenants and crofters participated in these dances just like their lairds or landlords.”

Lessons in Scottish Country Dance are available – and popular – among people all over the world. RSCDS has 160 branch groups spread across Europe, Asia, North America, South America, Africa, and Australia that offer classes, dance events, and demonstrations of this living art form.

“These dances are fun and there are only five basic steps to learn,” says Messner. “We encourage families to come out and watch the demonstration and give the dances a try.”

One World Forsyth is sponsored by the Forsyth County Public Library Friends & Advocates. For more information on this and other One World Forsyth events, please visit www.forsythpl.org.