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!!

Music for coming out of Confinement

This has been a remarkable time. I have been privileged because I have an income and a garden where I have done more weeding than ever before. But many people have lost incomes, have been stuck inside small apartments, have struggled to educate and entertain their children, and now they have to brave the new virus-threatened world of work and play. We think of them, and we share the sorrow of those who have lost dear ones to this terrible pandemic. Music is one of the greatest sources of solace. For calm, I recommend the Celtic Harp and the West African classical harp = the kora. But I think we need musical excitement. Mory Kanté was a great musician who just died (not from COVID-19). His world-famous hit YekeYeke will get your blood and spirits moving! Enjoy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJNiMNUSrw8

Glorious Scottish music and dance

 One of Janet McCrorie's wonderful paintings: ROON ABOOT is the title.
Below is the author of this blog, Robin in specs and black tie chatting with musician extraordinaire and source of so many wonderful musical arrangements: cellist Ralph Gordon, in Washington D.C.

teaching children to dance

Dance is an important part of our culture. Families and communities used to dance every week. We used to create our our entertainment with music and dance and stories. Now we consume, seated and lazy. It is the wonderful experience of dance that gets children moving and gives them the belief that they are beautiful, exciting physical people. Here we are dancing with kids in Josselin.

Thistle School has begun July 2019

Friends of mine are dancing in North Carolina at the famous Thistle School, now in its 39th and final year of existence. The great Mo Rutherford and Neil Copland (wonderful musicians celebrated in the Perth chapter of my book "I Dance Therefore I Am") are providing the music. Thistle School is world famous.  Let us salute Duard and Betty Lee for their dedication to dancing and for their many years of success in promoting "the greatest happiness of the greatest number" through Scottish dance. This banner hangs outside the dormitory building at Thistle School:

Scotland's music and countryside are so beautiful - go there, or read the book!

 Pipers at my daughter's wedding with REP chatting on the corner in his Maclean kilt, and a portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elisabeth in the Highland of Scotland

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.