With the Prairie Paladin Medieval Market and Faire fast
approaching, the staff and volunteers of the Museum of Antiquities would like
to acknowledge some of the groups that have made the medieval festival wildly
successful. Throughout the coming weeks before the festival, the Museum will be
posting interviews done with these groups, allowing our readers to understand
better the different parts of the festival.
Our first interview was with Diane Davis, the Demo
Coordinator for the Saskatoon Scottish Country Dancers. Having sent Diane a
list of questions she sent me back her answers to help us at the Museum, and
the wider community, understand better what her group is all about.
Q: Thank you for
taking the time to answer these questions Diane. The first thing I would like
to know is what your position within your group is and how long have you been
involved?
A: I am the Demo Coordinator for the Saskatoon Scottish
Country Dance Demonstration Team and have been dancing with the Saskatoon club
for 5 years. Prior to that I danced in New Zealand for 15 years. The group is part
of an international organization with clubs all over the world.
Q: That is fantastic!
What inspired you to join the Scottish Country Dancers, both in New Zealand and
in Saskatoon?
A: I originally started dancing in New Zealand as a social
outlet and for an activity that would keep me fit. I was a total beginner and
was very much encouraged by the club members. All clubs provide trained
teachers to help in the process of learning steps and patterns. What is
exceptional is that in any clubs that I have been a part of, all members are
very kind and patient in helping beginner dancers to feel confident. I
discovered in the process that I really enjoyed dancing, so when I came to
Saskatoon, one of the first things I did was look for a Scottish Country Dance
club. It also provided me with a way to meet new people when I was a newcomer.
I have to say I was welcomed with open arms and I have never looked back.
Q: What a journey you
have been on! It is amazing that you were able to find another club within this
international organization that welcomed you so warmly that you decided to
become the Demo Coordinator for Saskatoon’s club, which leads me to my next
question: what is your day time job and what motivates you to volunteer your
time to the club?
A: I am mostly retired but I’m currently working as an
office temp from time to time. As a volunteer, I dance with the Scottish
Country Dance Club and with the Demo Team because I love to dance. I believe that
is true for the whole Demo team. It also provides a social network of
like-minded people from all walks of life. The Demo team in particular hopes to
demonstrate that anyone can join and learn. We have qualified teachers to help
the beginners, as I have already described. We especially want to show how much
fun it is and to promote Scottish Country Dancing as an enjoyable and social
way to keep fit and to meet new people.
Q: The motivation of
being around like-minded people, combined with doing something that you are
very passionate for, is something that I find is a common trait of community
members like yourself who strive to help and encourage people to pursue their
passion. This is one of the reasons why we, at the Museum, are glad that you
have decided to be part of our Prairie Paladin Medieval Market and Faire, as
you bring both your passion for dance and your dance-style’s history onto the
stage. Do you find that you gain more insight and become more connected to the
history of Scottish country dancing? If so, could you please describe an aspect
of that insight?
A: When we learn dances, we always hear the origin of the
dance and perhaps the idea that sparked the dance in the first place. Often
dances have been written for a person or event or particular place. For the
medieval festival in particular, we look at the oldest dances in our Scottish
heritage and learn how the old dances differed from today. It makes an
interesting contrast to newer devised dances. Sometimes the style of fashions in the day dictated why certain
moves were made. For instance, because ladies in the very early days wore court
shoes, they couldn’t bend their toes very much so we curtsey to accommodate a
flat soled shoe.
Q: How fascinating!
It is great to see how the historical impact on the Scottish dance style is
still understood today and can be shared with those who know very little, if
any, about it. One of our goal’s for this medieval festival is to show how the
past still impacts the present, and your group is a fantastic example of that.
Now, I only have a few questions left, each with a two part answer. The first
thing is out of all the amazing things you described, what is your favourite
part of being involved with your group and what do you see in the Saskatoon’s Scottish
Country Dance club’s future?
A: The dancing is my favourite part!! Being on the demo team
means I get to do more dancing. And of course our aim is to ensure that
Scottish dancing is an ongoing activity for anyone who is interested. To this
end, we have an open house on Wednesday September 9th at St. Marks
Hall, 1406 8th Avenue North at 7:00 p.m. Anyone is welcome to come
for a free night to try out Scottish Country Dancing. No partners are required
and there is no age limit. We have a member still dancing in his nineties.
Q: I was able to see
your group perform at the Scottish pavilion at Folkfest this year, and I
definitely understand the appeal of dancing, as I used to do multiple dance
styles myself. And if the attention and cheering your group received at
Folkfest shows anything, it’s that people have the same desire to keep their
heritage alive. Now my final question for you is: what is your favourite part
of being involved with the Museum’s medieval festival, and what would you like
to see in its future?
A: Being a part of the festival’s atmosphere and activities
is great. Also, we do research into our oldest dances and have an opportunity
to learn about and to do dances that are not done in clubs so much anymore.
However it is developed and matures, I hope our Scottish Country Dance Demo
Team will continue to be included in the festival’s plans.
 |
| Scottish Country Dance 2015 Demonstration Team |
This will be the Scottish Country Dancing Demo Team’s second
year participating in the festival, and the Museum is glad they are able to
join us again in expanding the community’s knowledge and awareness of the
impact our heritage has on us in the present and in the future. The Demo team
will be performing at the festival twice in the afternoon, and trust me, it’s
something you don’t want to miss!
By: Helanna Miazga
