Dannsas Date at Birnam

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Dannsas Date at Birnam

Traditional dance aficionados – and anyone who loves live music and Gaelic song – are in for a treat on Thursday 25 August when the Strathspey-based Top Scots Dance group "Dannsa" performs at the Baronial Hall of the Birnam House Hotel as part of its national "Tuath Gu Deas" (North to South) 2005 tour.

The concert / ceilidh is the latest event to be presented by Birnam-based promotions group "The Fiddle Tree". Dannsa’s scintillating step-dance footwork and vibrant Scottish dances, executed with grace and flair, are the result of years of performing and teaching experience. It is driven by the dynamic and passionate music played on pipes, fiddle, clarsach and Gaelic song.

The four core members of the group, dancers Frank McConnell, Sandra Robertson, Mats Melin and Caroline Reagh will be joined for the Birnam show by piper Fin Moore, Gaelic singer Liz MacLean and top fiddler Karen Steven to present a powerful and engaging evening of dance and music.

They have been keen to ensure that almost all of the tour dates include participative ceilidh dances and workshops. All of the core group teach on a regular basis, and host an annual festival weekend (Strathspé Away) in November in Kingussie, where they are based.

As Dannsa member Sandra Robertson explains: "The whole essence of Dannsa is about reaching out using traditional dance and live music to communicate the richness of our heritage to people in their own communities – to encourage folk to share it. We love what we do, so we also set out to have a good time, and try to make sure the audience does too!".

The tour is supported by The Scottish Arts Council Lottery Fund & HI-Arts. It began on Friday 24 June at Kilmorack, and continues with dates throughout the summer and autumn, ending on 2 October at the National Museum in Edinburgh.

Tickets for the Birnam event, which starts at 8.00pm, cost £7.00 and £4.00 (under-18's). They are available now from the Birnam House Hotel (01350 727462), Birnam CD (01350 727158) and Dunkeld TIC (01350 727688) Please note that tickets bought at the TIC will be subject to a 10% commission charge