Dannsa Summer Tour 2005

A treat for traditonal dance fans

Traditional dance aficionados – and anyone who loves live music and Gaelic song – are in for a treat this summer when Strathspey-based Dannsa hit the road for Tuath Gu Deas (North to South) - the Dannsa Summer Tour 2005. The four core members of the group - Frank McConnell, Sandra Robertson, Mats Melin and Caroline Reagh - join forces with piper Fin Moore to create a truly national tour, taking their brand of traditional dance to a variety of venues from Shetland to Eyemouth. They present a powerful and engaging set with the beautiful Gaelic singing of Mary-Ann Kennedy, Fiona Mackenzie and Liz MacLean and the fiddle of Karen Steven and Anna Massi.

Dannsa’s scintillating step-dance footwork and vibrant Scottish dances, executed with grace and flair, are the result of years of performing and teaching experience. They have been keen to ensure that almost all of the tour dates include participative ceilidh dances and workshops. All of the core group teach on a regular basis and host an annual festival weekend (Strathspé Away) in November in Kingussie, where the group are based.

For Dannsa the whole essence of Dannsa is about reaching out using traditional dance and live music to communicate the richness of Scottish heritage to people in their own communities – and to encourage folk to share it. They love what they do, so also set out to have a good time and try to make sure the audience does too!

Dannsa is currently implementing a three-year business plan including:

• touring nationally and locally,
• hosting an annual festival weekend of dance workshops, music and performances in Kingussie,
• creating an audio CD of dance music and a two volume CD-ROM of dance tuition,
• major one-off performances plus residencies and workshops.