St Andrews Day, Nov 30th: since we cannot dance, let us celebrate with this portrait of Bonny Prince Charlie, leader of the 1745 rebellion against England's imported German kings from Hanover. Prince Charles Edward Stuart is kissing the hand of Flora MacDonald .... the lady who helped the prince escape Over The Sea To Skye after his defeat by "Butcher Cumberland" (son of George II) at the Battle of Culloden on 15th April 1746. That was the end of the Stuart challenge. Bonny Prince Charlie lived the rest of his life in France, and is buried in the chapel of the Scottish College, beside the Sorbonne.
 

Dancing Hippos, my hilarious monthly Blogging Letter

Dancing Hippos is the name of my Blog Newsletter. If you are not on the mailing list, then write to DancingHipposNewsletter@gmail.com and we will put you on the mailing list. And if you do receive it already, then please share it with friends. A lot of people have told me it cheers them up at this difficult time of isolation, confinement and worry about viral infection. Dancing Hippos are not as elegant as Dancing Scotsmen, but they reflect my dancing and the happiness of my life in Africa.

Can we start dancing in September?????

What the French call "Contre danses" - referring to the set-lines where we are standing opposite our partners at regulation confinement distance of 6 feet - means that Scottish dancers and English Country Dancers are better protected from virus transmission that other dancers. Janet McCrorie's picture "Clasp" (top) shows how we may need adjustments: her second picture "Ceilidh Spin" reduces face-to-face impact. Her dancers even seem to be wearing masks. This may be how we should dance if we want to restart in September. AND THAT IS WHAT WE WANT!!

So France has begun a cautious deconfinement, while UK and USA blunder their way forward into more death and infection. But what I wanna know is WHEN can we DANCE again???? Here is an inspired vision by artist Janet McCrorie of "Pink Mist" (this is the Scottish concept of "Mist" and not the German meaning) where I can envision myself as the man in the kilt .... probably a Scottish waltz on an American dance floor with twirling and swirling. And who would be my partner?

VE Day 75 years ago was a victory for All of Europe

The defeat of nazi and italian Fascism on 8th May 1945 (Victory in Europe) brought liberty to all of Europe (except in the Soviet zone) and the birth of the United Nations. Konrad Adenhauer, Robert Schumann and Jean Monnet created what became the European Economic Community and - later - the European Union. We need to hold on to peace and friendship across frontiers. What we all need is peace: respect for Nature and for each other - symbolized by peace dancing (here in St Andrews).

Bob Hope & James Cagney great dance routine

Well I dance as an amateur, and I do not tap dance. Wish I did !  Here is a wonderful dance routine well worth seeing for dance skills and laughs:  http://videos2view.net/Hope-Cagney.htm

Comedian Bob Hope and actor James Cagney put on a show for their friends in the Friars' Club.

Thank you Wilbur for sending me this great link.

Dancing recovery: pacing yourself

I had a wonderful New Year Hogmanay Party in Philadelphia (Germantown) with 100 other top Scottish dancers from all over the region. Music was led by my gifted composer friend and pianist Dave Wiesler, who played non-stop from 8.30 pm until 2.30 am and accepted all our requests for repeats. A musical marathon!  We enjoyed THE LAST DANCE OF THE OLD YEAR, had a break for snacks and Auld Lang Syne, and then started the FIRST DANCE OF THE NEW YEAR,  - the most wonderful Delaware Valley Hogmanay party. I am now back in Brooklyn with Michelle, Catherine Leila, Khaled and beautiful 3-week-old Emmy. Of course, after 5 hours of dancing every muscle in my body ached and so I have rested - back tomorrow Monday on the dance floor with the Scotia Dancers in New York.

 

Music recommended for your Christmas music party

Let me tell you my top recommendation for the Christmas season would be to watch the wonderful Dutch musical impresario André Rieu making joyous music on YouTube. Rieu is such a great showman, such a great musician and so much fun!  You can start with his Christmas concert in London

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gO67YCECe4

Then go for some of his wonderful waltzes

 Then explore some videos of his “musical discoveries” like the three-year-old violist 

Akim Camara (a Malian boy) who plays solo with an orchestra and with delight, 

completely free of fear

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MG5gS4Ry6RA

and Amira Willighagen the unbelievable opera singer from Netherlands aged 7

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19zrp6r3S4o with orchestra

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PJWRKkMpHM with pipes aged 12

Then finish off with André's Scottish suite in Australia playing Amazing Grace

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHTdDf7DU6A

Can’t sleep? Listen to one of Rieu’s compilations of soft music for relaxation.

Waltzes are relaxing: a perfect end to your Christmas music party.

Watch Rieu's selection of YouTube music videos, and make your choice

Now available on Amazon: I Dance Therefore I Am

I Dance Therefore I Am

A hilarious book about dancing with beautiful women in Scotland and America (and France and Africa, too), a book filled with wisdom and British humor about dancing and life in general. 

Robin Poulton tells his grandchildren why dancing is important for their mental, spiritual, and physical health. Music, dance, and laughter are his recipe for a fit and happy life. 

Now available on Amazon as paperback and ebook. Please write a review on short review on Amazon to tell everybody how much you enjoyed the book.