WELCOME TO An Entertainment Site for Scottish Country Dancers - Enjoy the curated selection of theme-related dances for celebrations and holidays, or find a dance associated with a special calendar day, or EVEN your own birthday!
Photo by John Fox
Red Thistle Day
Nov 17
Other Scottish Country Dances for this Day
Today's Musings, History & Folklore
"The red thistle, found growing in California serves well as a symbol of both our Scottish heritage and current home."
~ Jennifer & John Kelly (founders of The Red Thistle Dancers)
Founded in 1973 in the San Francisco Bay Area, The Red Thistle Dancers are celebrating their 50th anniversary this year of sharing and performing the country and highland dances and music of Scotland! Taking their name from the native red thistle (Cirsium occidentale) also known as the cobweb thistle or cobwebby thistle, this unusually coloured North American species of thistle is commonly found across most of California, particularly in its coastal and inland mountain ranges.
Founder Jennifer Kelly wrote this signature and very flirtatious 40 bar jig (with music composed by Kim McGarrity) for a significant birthday of a former member of the troupe, known for his cheeky and flirtatious manner. " A scallywag (also spelled scalawag) is a term often used to describe a mischievous or playful person, usually in an endearing or humorous way, which originated as a slang term in the United States in the 19th century. The dance notes particularly note: "This is a flirtatious jig with lots of eye contact!" Wink, wink! 👀 🤩 😍 😉 🌹
The Scallywag
The Red Thistle Dancers, established in 1973, are a non-profit organization dedicated to sharing and performing the traditional dances and music of Scotland throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and at international festivals worldwide.
Under the artistic direction of Fred DeMarse, the group showcases a variety of Scottish dance forms, including energetic jigs and reels of Scottish Country Dancing, the technical and vigorous Highland Dancing, and the elegant Ladies' Step Dancing.
Accompanied by live music from Red Thistle Music, featuring Lyle Ramshaw on piano and Micah Reinhold on fiddle, their performances offer an authentic Scottish cultural experience.
The Red Thistle Dancers have been regular participants in the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival since 1977 and were honorees in 1991.
They also provide a series of instructional videos illustrating basic techniques, figures, and performance tips, suitable for students, teachers, and demonstration teams.
To learn more about the Red Thistle Dancers and their history, click their newest tribute tartan, designed to celebrate five decades of dance and music.
Click the dance cribs or description below to link to a printable version of the dance!
