Campus, club, cram, repeat: Hatfield student life can quickly become monotonous when following the same student recipe. A great way to add a refreshing twist to your schedule is to join an off-campus society such as The Royal Scottish Country Dance Society. Here, you can experience a cultural cocktail like never before: learn how to dance traditional Scottish country dances and experience a bold new adventure.
The Royal Scottish Country Dance Society holds beginners dance classes every Thursday evening. The first evening is free of charge, after which a R10 fee is charged per class. Classes take place at the St Columba’s Presbyterian Church Hall on the corner of Francis Baard and Hilda Street. Sessions start at 19:00 and end at 21:00, with the first half of the evening consisting of general dance lessons, followed by a 15-minute tea break. After this, the teaching continues, mixed with some social dancing and a chance to practice the skills and steps learned.
These classes are perfect for beginners, as the teacher goes through every step in great detail. You do not need to be a graceful dancer to enjoy this experience. As the dances are generally quite short, there is plenty of time in the two-hour session to grasp the steps, practise and leave feeling ready to step right into Scotland.
Three of the dances covered in the class are The Deil Amang the Tailors, Joie de Vivre and The Wind on Loch Fyne. These dances consist of dancing in a line or triangular formation with a partner. Another great reason to go Scottish country dancing – it is not a solo event! Dancing with a partner allows you to get to know different people or even take a special someone out for a dance-floor date. The dances are all intricate, consisting of moving in circular formations and leading partners through other couples. Despite this, the steps are simple: mainly foot bopping, turning and leading partners, side stepping, and skipping or walking in circular movements. One thing this dancing requires is trust in your partner. For the formations to flow smoothly, you need to work closely with your partner, leading and relying on them. This is a great way to form intimate bonds with people and build some solid teamwork skills.
Along with learning some unique dancing skills, this society opens a whole new social world. Meeting new people is definitely the highlight of the event. The pros to joining a non-university society is that you get a taste of what social life can look like after university. Getting the chance to meet and network with people other than students is a breath of fresh air. Everyone at the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society is hearty, welcoming, and more than willing to help those with left feet. One of the members mentioned that Scottish dancers hardly ever experience osteoporosis, as the steps and bopping are beneficial to bone health. Another bonus, as mentioned in the chairman’s new member welcoming letter, is that Scottish country dancing boosts your “happy hormones” due to the “mix of social contact, movement and music”. All in all, Scottish country dancing is beneficial for your social life, physical health, and happiness. What more could a growing young adult ask for?
You step out of 2024 and into something similar to a Jane Austen period drama. The music and movement are breathtaking and other-worldly. Once you get past the learning part and practise a few times, muscle memory kicks in and the dancing flows more easily. This society is a key to a fun form of escapism when university life becomes too draining.
For more information, visit the society’s Instagram page (@rscdspretoriabranch) or website (www.rscdspretoria.za.org). They are also linked to the international Royal Scottish Dancing Society. Joining this society is a sidestep into a community larger than life.
