SCD in the Park

**Cirthalion** · 12th June 07, 11:39 PM

Outstanding photos, McMurdo. You've done a great job in capturing the event, and documenting all the tartans and kilts that were present.

To say nothing of capturing the essence of a Canadian summer night. I'm so homesick for Toronto right now I can hardly stand it!

Again, great work...

--Cirthalion

**beloitpiper** · 13th June 07, 02:51 AM

Looks like fun! I would get into Country Dancing, but I already have enough on my plate...

Martin S · 13th June 07, 03:03 AM

Nice to see so many people dancing!
Here it is a big event if we get more than a few sets.

Unfortunately, it is very hard to take photos of SCD that make it look like the fun lively activity it really is. Not criticizing you, McMurdo, it's just that anyone has 9 chances in 10 of getting the dancers frozen into odd positions, so the photos are unlikely to attract the unitiated to try such dancing.

We had a big evening last night of mixed Scottish and French folk dancing. I took my camera, but decided it was just not worth attempting photos other than people sitting down. In any case, I was too busy dancing!

How lucky you are to have lots of dancers, and to be able to dance in the open air. I hope my group will be able to do so shortly when we have a whole week's dance holiday, but French lawns are not really as smoothe as one would like.

Martin

**McMurdo** · 13th June 07, 03:55 AM

I know what you mean Martin about it being hard to capture the right pose. I took over 200 pictures and the vast majority of them are the of backs of dancers, couple that with the fact that digital cameras take time between pressing the shutter and having the picture taken and you have a recipe for disaster. Thankfully I have a 1GB memory card and was able to get a variety of pictures from which to choose.

As for the fact that this takes place outside we really are extremely lucky to have Edwards Gardens in Toronto, with it's manicured lawns, thus making this possible.

We are also lucky to have such a competent band playing for our enjoyment.

**Robin** · 13th June 07, 04:00 AM

Great pictures!

Looks like a fun day...some very nice kilts and tartans btw.

**Andrewson** · 13th June 07, 10:02 AM

Great pictures, McMurdo. Yes SCD is great fun, especially in the open air at this time of year.

What I noticed - because it is an issue for me - is that all the kilted dancing men were wearing standard (long) kilt hose. (The one man I spotted in shorts had bare legs.)

I find it far too hot to dance energetic SCD in the summer with hose on. But I get a lot of stick from my wife and daughter when I leave the hose off. They think it looks too girly to have bare legs (and feet) but I don't see why men should not have the option of sensible wear for hot weather. The dancers we normally dance with have got used to my "eccentricity" - so much so that they will remark, as they did last night, if I turn up for a summer dance session wearing hose. (I had to take the hose off halfway through because I was getting too warm.)

I get the same comments from wife and daughter when I wear Tevas (bare legged, of course) with a casual kilt out and about. It doesn't stop me though!

Martin S · 14th June 07, 01:23 AM

Originally Posted by Andrewson

I find it far too hot to dance energetic SCD in the summer with hose on. ... I don't see why men should not have the option of sensible wear for hot weather.

I usually dance in hose with the toes cut off (can't stand ghillies). Get some funny looks sometimes!

It amazes me how few men go for lightweight kilts for summer wear. Every year, when we have our dance holiday here, the temp goes up above 30°c, even in the moountains, but the men still bring only the heavy 8-yarders they wear in winter. They look very nce, of course, but it means that as soon as we have finished dancing, they all rush off to get their shorts. All those handsome figures prefer to look right clowns to go out into the street!

Keep it up, Adrewson, wear what you will with your kilt!

Martin

**GMan** · 14th June 07, 06:24 AM

What a great way to do a dance, outdoors. Stunning.

Martin S · 14th June 07, 02:30 AM

Originally Posted by Andrewson

I find it far too hot to dance energetic SCD in the summer with hose on. ... I don't see why men should not have the option of sensible wear for hot weather.

I usually dance in hose with the toes cut off (can't stand ghillies). Get some funny looks sometimes!

It amazes me how few men go for lightweight kilts for summer wear. Every year, when we have our dance holiday here, the temp goes up above 30°c, even in the moountains, but the men still bring only the heavy 8-yarders they wear in winter. They look very nce, of course, but it means that as soon as we have finished dancing, they all rush off to get their shorts. All those handsome figures prefer to look right clowns to go out into the street!

Keep it up, Adrewson, wear what you will with your kilt!

Martin

**Andrewson** · 14th June 07, 09:28 AM

Originally Posted by Martin S

It amazes me how few men go for lightweight kilts for summer wear. ....

I do agree. I generally dance in 11oz polyviscose in the summer and that works well. Mind you I have, in slightly more formal summer dance situations, danced in a 13oz trad wool kilt and that worked almost as well. The breeze to the knees is the best cooling agent, I think. That's why I'm keen to drop the socks come the hotter weather.

Keep it up, Adrewson, wear what you will with your kilt!
Martin

Oh I will, I will, never fear Martin.