The Austin Celtic Festival is proud to have the following dance
companies performing and giving workshops.

THE AUSTIN SCOTTISH DANCE ALLIANCE
THE AUSTIN SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE ASSOCIATION
THE AUSTIN HIGHLAND DANCERS
THE IRISH DANCE CENTER
BRETON DANCERS
CELTIC MENAGERIE

The festival will have free dance workshops for all ages.
Review the schedule to get the time and day of workshops and demonstrations

Men in kilts and ladies draped in bright tartan move in rhythm to jigs, reels and strathspeys, as
the Austin Scottish Country Dancers perform traditional Scottish ballroom dancing. It is a
forerunner of square dancing and similar in character to modern contra dancing. The group
offers adult
classes weekly for all levels of dancers as well as hosting periodic social events. Visit the Austin
Scottish Country Dancers booth here at the festival for more information about how you can
start dancing and possibly win free dance lessons. You don't have to be Scottish and you don't
have to bring a partner to enjoy Scottish Country dancing. Just come and expect to have a
great time! Austin Scottish Country Dancers can also help you host an evening of dancing
in which everyone who wishes may participate.
Visit their website at www.austinscd.org or contact Sarah at 512-327-2869

SCDA - Some Countries Do 'Ave 'em - dance groups like ours, that is. Not only do we have a blast
on Sunday nights, teaching ourselves some of the most challenging Scottish dances around, but
we also share Scottish Culture and Ceilidh dancing with everyone who comes our way - so you
don't have to worry if you think you have two left feet, you can ceilidh dance.

We have prepared parties for a wedding, we have taken Ceilidh In A Box to a children's home,
with more to come. We have taught non-dancers to perform a ceilidh 'piece'; we run the
absolute best Burns Supper in Central Texas (7th February in 2009) and we are planning our first
ever formal ball on June 20 next.

Not forgetting our fabulous bake-sale at the Celtic Festival - this year - visit each Celtic country
and sample/buy some authentic goodies - how about heaps of Scottish shortbread, Gingerbread,
tealoaves; mountains of Irish Soda Bread, Blarney Stones and Whisky Bread; acres of Welsh
Scones, Bara Brith and Teisen Lap; parksful of Manx Bonnag of every recipe they have; mounds of
Palets Bretons, Far Breton and Kouign Amann and a wonderful Breton breakfast cake? Galician
Tortas de Aceite, Torta de Santiago and Spanish corn bread, Cornish buns, pastries and of course,
come and get your Tetley tea, coffee or Iced Tea, or a sampler/taster of the baking.
Join us in the Pavilion for some authentic celtic baking, and on the Kelpie Stage for some cool
new dances, as well as old favourites. Are we versatile or what?

AUSTIN SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCERS
The Celtic Menagerie (CM), based in Corpus Christi, is Texas'
best known and most exciting Scottish dance troupe, and has
been entertaining audiences at festivals, highland games and
private functions across the state for nearly twelve years.

CM's combination of traditional Scottish dance forms, original choreography, and compelling musical
selections makes them unique among Scottish dance groups. Celtic Menagerie's creative flair and
showmanship keeps them in demand to “swing their kilts” across the state as they entertain and
educate audiences of all ages.

Highlights of CM's current performance year include: the Austin Celtic Festival, the San Antonio Highland
Games, National Tartan Day at Texas A & M University, Festival of the Arts, Bayfest-Corpus Christi,
Corpus Christi International Festival, George West Storyfest, and the Sam Houston Folk Life Festival in
Huntsville.
Breton Dancing is the traditional dance of Brittany.
Breton Dancing is very easy to learn and a great participation
activity for the uninitiated. Dance workshops in Breton dance will take place on Saturday and
Sunday on the Kelpie stage. Perfect for children and adults. Instruction by Yoshimi Masuo and Calla
Smith-Dowling with music by Heather Gilmer, Serge Laîné and Lisa Whatley.

Highland dancing is the oldest Scottish dance form. The Highland Fling and Sword Dance date
back to the Middle Ages and have a ritual, war-like character. In the eighteenth century, Highland
dancing was influenced by ballet, giving a graceful, feminine character to dances like the Seann
Triubhas and the Scottish Lilt. Vigorous dances like the Sailor's Hornpipe and the Irish Jig were
borrowed from neighboring cultures, but are mainstays at Highland games and performances.

Susanna Ross founded the Hill Country Highland Dancers in 1980. Susanna's students have competed
in Highland games at all levels throughout Texas and the Midwest. The Hill Country Dancers have
performed at events throughout the central Texas area. Our dancers range in age from 8 to ....
well, let's just say "over 40". We are always looking for new dancers who enjoy the
companionship, exercise and fun that Highland dancing offers. If you or your child would like to
try it, give one of us a call (Susanna Ross: 477-8960; Mike Downer: 477-0792)!
The Irish Dance Center is based in Austin, Texas. After many
years of teaching students in Ireland and all over the
United States, world champion dancer, Eimir Ni Mhaoileidigh, T.C.R.G., settled in Austin and
founded the Irish Dance Center in 1997. The Center will host a Ceili Dance Workshop on the
Kelpie Stage. The workshop will cover basic dances for people with little or no experience in
Irish dance. Fun for all ages. No partner necessary. See schedule for details.
CELTIC MENAGERIE
BRETON DANCING
HILL COUNTRY HIGHLAND DANCERS
IRISH DANCE CENTER