Dancing Feet 2017

Saturday April 22nd 8 PM
Louis B. Mayer Theatre
Santa Clara University

OPEN 7 DAYS!
& MORE!
Now! SEVEN CONVENIENT LOCATIONS
WE PAY THE
SALES TAX
ON RENTALS!

WELCOME!
Welcome to Dancing Feet 2017. We are delighted at the variety of ethnic dance that we are able to bring
together on this occasion. Each group has its own variety and interpretation of “Dance.” The contrasts are
amazing. So many dance forms use noise generated by the shoes or boots whereas Scottish is the opposite
and uses thin soft shoes in most of its dances. To me dance is best when the music and the dance come
together in a mutually supportive way, and I believe you will find that in all the performances!
It is 10 years since our last concert, and much has changed since 2007. Red Thistle proudly celebrated its
40 something birthday last year. Scottish dancing, though it has a long history, is very much alive today with
groups active around the world and a constant stream of new dances being devised, using traditional steps
and figures but suited to the needs of today’s dancer. Interestingly, many of these new dances are quite complex
and I know that when I started dancing many of them would have been beyond our capabilities.
Enjoy the show!
John Kelly, Concert Director
Acknowledgements
Concert Manager Ruth Mikusko
Planning Committee John Kelly, Ruth Mikusko, Julee Montes, Linda Pettengill,
Susan Worland-Bentley
Publicity Director Kevin Lesko
Website/Media Manager Deborah Savage
Stage Manager Julia Bryce Webster
Assistant Stage Manager Randi Keppeler
Stage Crew
SCU Presents
Announcer
Jonathan Lovell
House Manager Armida Robles, SCU Presents
Program booklet Alan Twhigg
Front of House staffing Red Thistle Friends & Alumni
Grateful thanks to our advertising sponsors, who have enabled us to offer you free programs!
And special thanks to our performing partners, whose creative talent make Dancing Feet 2017 such a wonderful
show!
To the many volunteers, friends, relations and alumni who helped make this concert possible – a heartfelt
thank you!
The Red Thistle Dancers also wish to acknowledge Santa Clara University and in particular SCU Presents
for the use of the Louis B. Mayer Theatre for our ethnic dance concert.
Dancing Feet 2017 is presented by The Red Thistle Dancers, Inc., a non-profit organization (501c3), dedicated to the promotion of
Scottish dance and culture.
www.redthistledancers.org
1750 University Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94301

Congratulations to the Red Thistle Dancers on an Outstanding Program!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Reel of Seven — Our signature blend of high energy contemporary and
traditional music for Scottish Country Dance will keep you dancing all night!
We also do ceilidh dances!
All I can say is BRILLIANT! The arrangements are great! (Monterey, CA)
I love it, I love it, I love it! Will be listening all night and all week! (Nova Scotia, Canada)
Smashing! We love dancing to the music by Reel of Seven! (Fort Worth, TX)
This music is really wonderful! Our dancers love it! (Kiev, Russia)
Well done on another super recording! (Glasgow, Scotland)
10% discount on any
Reel of Seven CD
(expires 10/31/2017, contact
andy@reelofseven.com to redeem)
See our videos, purchase CDs, or contact us at
www.reelofseven.com

Red Thistle Dancers
In this program you will see two distinctly different kinds of Scottish dancing, Highland dances, which are
the older of the two, and Country dances, which reached their present form in the 17th century and are
still evolving. A Highland dance is all about the energy, skill and grace of the individual performer, even if
it is choreographed for several dancers; country dancing is the old Ballroom dance of Scotland and is more
concerned with social interaction and the smooth functioning of the set. A set is a group of dancers who
may form two lines, men facing women, a square, introduced via the quadrille in the nineteenth century, or
miscellaneous other groupings created by recent choreographers. The steps used in Country dancing derive
from the older Highland dances whilst the figures come from old Round dances, English Country dancing
and French Court dances of the 16th century, when a strong political connection existed between France
and Scotland. The costumes are based on Scottish dress of various regions and historical periods.
Victorian Set: Scottish Spirit, The Shepherd’s Crook, Mr. Smith’s Delight & New Scotia Quadrille
Dances using traditional formations and steps, appropriate for the Victorian ballroom.
A Changing Perspective: One Hundred Fifty Plus Fifty, Scotch on the Rocks, Serendipity & Polharrow
Burn, Gordon Highlanders, Dancing Feet
Contemporary choreographies, involving unusual patterns and arrangements of dancers, together with a
couple of rarely seen Highland dances, a modern duet and a Victorian regimental dance.
All for Fun!: Jack’s Dance, Yellow-Haired Laddie, Summer’s End Suite, The Rose Garden & Margaret
Mitchell’s Rant, Fiona’s Birthday, The Bumpkin
Country dance medleys of varying tempo, along with a waltz-time step dance and a dance of modern composition
that use traditional Highland steps in varying rhythm.
Artistic Director: Jennifer Kelly
Highland Dance teacher and choreographer: Kamrin MacKnight
Dancers: Sue Anderson, Denise Babin, Cathy Bertics, Armin Busse, Diane Chang, Laura Cooper, Samantha
Corsiglia, Fred DeMarse, Dave Grote, Bradley Hobbs, Lisa Holmes, Kevin Lesko, Kamrin MacKnight,
Ruth Mikusko, Julee Montes, Lin Pettengill,
Alisa Pura, Rachel Pusey, Michael Rowen,
Deborah Savage, Dilip Sequeira,
Sharon Solda, Michael Suckow, Jamie Tanner,
Stephen Thomforde, Alan Twhigg,
Geoffrey Wood
Musicians:
Susan Worland-Bentley (fiddle)
Calli Morrow (harp)
Lyle Ramshaw (piano)
Michael Bentley (bodhran, other percussion)
Stephen Thomforde (bagpipes)

The New World Scottish Dancers enjoy and
perform Scottish Dances new and old. Step
classes (introductory to advanced) as well as
our performing country dance class meet
every Thursday in Pleasant Hill. Join us!
1948 Oak Park Blvd, Pleasant Hill
Contact Lori Howard reknight1@aol.com

Los Lupeños de San José
Founded in 1969, Los Lupeños de San José is recognized as one of the earliest Mexican folk dance companies
in California. Los Lupeños is known for its artistry, history, traditions, innovation, and endurance. Los
Lupeños artists are passionate about learning and executing their art form, representing their culture, and
being a positive force within the California dance community. As a program of the Cashion Cultural Legacy
since 2014, Los Lupeños is re-establishing itself at the forefront of the folklórico dance genre.
For more information: www.loslupenos.org
Pasión Jarocha (State of Veracruz, México) The port of Veracruz was Europe’s only gateway into the
Americas for more than a century. The people from Veracruz are called jarochos. Anything that came from
Spain had to go through Veracruz, including music, art, dance, fashion and cuisine. Jarocho music (and
dance) is one of the most recognized Méxican styles. The most common folk music is the son jarocho, which
is a variant of the music heard from the Spanish tradesmen and then interpreted by the locals. This music
is played by string instruments and is complete only when dancers add their footwork (called zapateados),
which provides the percussion to the song. The female costume has a close resemblance to Cuban fashion,
but includes some Spanish elements: the fan, the flowers on their head, the embroidered apron, the lace top,
and the Spanish shoes. The men wear a garment of Cuban origin named Guayabera because of the four
pockets big enough to hold more than one guayaba, a common tropical fruit.
Dances: La Bruja, El Canelo, El Zapateado Veracruzano
Comala (State of Colima, México) Comala is a small town located in the southwestern state of Colima.
Temperatures are always warm and they spike into the 100’s in summer. Comala is known around the
world as “The White Town of America” because of its famously white-painted façades and as the main
setting of the renowned book Pedro Páramo, a novel written by the Mexican author Juan Rulfo. In contrast
to the book, which describes it as a ghost town, Comala is a very festive place, where people from all around
the country come to celebrate events in its famous botaneros. These family restaurants are known for their
unending courses of delicious appetizers (free as long as you keep buying drinks!). Comala is also famous
for its ponche, a mildly alcoholic punch in every flavor from peanut to pomegranate.
Dances: Intro, El pitayero, La Samba, La Chachalaca
Artistic Director: Samuel Cortez
Choreographers: Samuel Cortez (Veracruz),
Rafael Zamarripa (Colima)
Dancers: Madeline Aguirre, Angela Arvizu
Szymusiak, Mario Avalos, Sharlene Garibay Luna,
Steven Gastelum, Christina Gil, Lidia Madrigal,
Arturo Magaña, Juan Carlos Miranda,
Crystal Ortiz, José Romero, Laura Santiago,
Gerardo Silva, Gabrielle Torrez, Eduardo Zamora

The Red Thistle Dancers
Scottish Dancing & Music Performances
Weddings • Senior Residences • Community Events • Parties
redthistledancers.org

House of Inanna
San Jose-based House of Inanna evokes the magic of feminine power and grace through dance movements
inspired by the length of the historical Silk Road: from Rajasthan through Turkey and Egypt, all the way
to Morocco and Spain. Look for evocations of all these places as you watch the dancers perform their
unscripted routines in elaborate and exotic attire. Founded in 2003, House of Inanna performs a spirited
and engaged format of dance called American Tribal Style® Belly Dance, which coalesced from the dance
experience of San Francisco’s own Carolena Nericcio in the late 1980’s. You can find out more about us at
www.inannaraqs.com
Like a lot of American inventions, American Tribal Style Belly Dance is the fusion of several related forms,
where the sum becomes more than its parts. Our dance form has roots in Egyptian Cabaret Belly Dance,
Flamenco, and Indian Temple dancing, among other forms. Watching us, you’ll see aspects of dance from
throughout the former Silk Road countries.
What’s really interesting about our dance form is that there is very little choreography. The vast majority of
what you see is improvised right before your eyes! Can you pick up how we do this?
We are very excited to be performing tonight and wish to thank the Red Thistle Dancers for the kind invitation;
Carolena Nericcio, the inventor of our dance form; and our many dance teachers!
House of Inanna presents a cosmopolitan program for your pleasure:
You’ll first see a veil dance with a veil over four yards long. Though graceful, performing with a veil is an
activity involving much dexterity and cardiovascular capability! As the music speeds up, the veil disappears.
You’ll see us use our finger cymbals, called “Sagat” in Egyptian Arabic or “Zills” in Turkish. Music: Baburi
by Yuval Ron, featuring Omar Faruk Tekbilek and Yair Dalal.
In the second half, we start with a slow and mesmerizing Basket Dance. Music: The Nocturnal Stealth of Cats
by Drumspyder. This is followed by two sword dances, first a duet, then a troupe piece. Yes, they are real!
Music: Jilala II on Moroccan Spirit, and Lorke Lorke by Helm.
Troupe Director: Petra Pino
Dancers:
Cherie Barstow
Stacy Braslau-Schneck
Collie Collier
Maggie Norris
Tamara Taylor
Shannon Weiser
We hope you enjoy watching as much as
we enjoy performing for you!

You’re Invited!
Circle of St Pauls Episcopal Church
Burlingame ~ Spring Rummage Sale
Fri & Sat, May 5 & 6, 2017, 9:30am-3:00pm
415 El Camino Real, Burlingame, CA 94010
More Info: circlerummage.wixsite.com/stpauls
ASILOMAR WEEKEND
PACIFIC GROVE
NOV 17 - 19, 2017
A magical weekend of Scottish country dancing!
Asilomar.rscds-sf.org

San Francisco Flamenco Dance Company
The San Francisco Flamenco Dance Company (SFFDC) presents professional flamenco performances in
the San Francisco Bay Area, hosts visiting artists from Spain and supports the development of local flamenco
artists through workshops and performance opportunities. The company presents San Francisco’s weekly
“Flamenco Room” performance series, now in its fourteenth consecutive year. The SFFDC is currently in
production for “Navidad Flamenca” which premieres in December 2017.
For more information: www.sanfranciscoflamenco.com
Farruca - The farruca is a powerful flamenco style danced with complex and intricate footwork, strong
lines, and sharp rhythmic changes. Originally danced only by men, the farruca became a popular style for
women in the middle of the 20th century as gender equality gained momentum. The beautiful guitar work
of the farruca sets a deeply introspective mood for the piece. Several intense interludes of ‘zapateado’ or
footwork are performed between the ‘letras’ or verses of the song.
Caña - The caña is one of the oldest styles of flamenco, somber and elegant. The dancers use the iconic
‘mantón de manila’ (large fringed silk shawl) and the ‘bata de cola’ (dress with train) in a sensual, rhythmic pas
de deux. The caña often speaks of love lost or unrequited. The powerful final verse is emblematic of the
simple yet profound style of flamenco lyrics sung by the heartbroken lover: ‘Todo el mundo le pide a Dios la salud
y la libertad. Yo le pido la muerte y no me la quiere mandar.’ Everyone asks God for health and freedom. I ask Him
for death but he refuses to send it to me.
Dancers/Choreographers: Kerensa DeMars and Melissa Cruz
Singer: Daniel Azcarate
Guitarist: Roberto Aguilar

Antika Bulgaria
Antika Bulgaria Folk Dance Ensemble and Cultural Club was established in 2009 to rekindle the spirit of
traditional music, songs, and dance in the hearts of Bulgarians and their friends of all ages living around the
San Francisco Bay Area. Tanya Kostova, Artistic Director, is the reason many of our young and youngest
Bulgarians (some of them born and raised in the United States) danced their first folk-dance steps and
regained their Bulgarian identity abroad against the odds. She has brought up a number of generations
of the youngest Bulgarians into a state of cultural empowerment, but has not left the adults behind. Many
of Antika Bulgaria’s “graduating classes” have developed a taste and intuitive understanding of Bulgarian
folklore in a way they never experienced in Bulgaria. The knowledge that Tanya carries with her has been
passed onto many, new and experienced alike, and continues to re-establish Bulgarian cultural continuity
away from home.
Antika Bulgaria Folk Dance Ensemble organizes three major cultural events every year (and many smaller
ones) where they showcase the dances and songs that the members of the Ensemble have learned, and
re-create antique cultural celebrations, often re-inventing them in the spirit of live tradition.
Music Director and musician Rumen Shopov, a member of the Roma people, has performed all over the
world, championing the music of Bulgarian, Macedonian, Turkish, and especially the Roma (gypsy) people.
The ensemble uses traditional Bulgarian musical instruments. The dancers of Antika Bulgaria always delight
with their distinctive rhythmic steps and brightly colored costumes representing the different folkloric
regions of the dances. There is much diversity within the provinces making up Bulgaria, with seven general
folkloric regions that define Bulgaria’s folklore heritage, but also spill beyond Bulgaria’s borders.
Our first set of dances are from the heart of the Thracian valley: winding hypnotic line-dance rituals for
holidays and celebrations and solo/group free-style dances performed in the village square. Our second
set includes the story of the breathing line-dance from Sredna gora, close to the Thrace border, and fiery
upbeat dances from Shopluk, near the central-western part of Bulgaria.
Musicians:
Rumen-Sali Shopov - tapan (double-sided drum),
tambura (four-string Bulgarian village mandolin)
Hector Bezanis - djura gaida (Bulgarian
high bagpipe)
Dena Bjornlie - gadulka (Bulgarian upright
village violin)
Alex Miller - tambura
Dancers: Tanya Kostova, Biliana Stremska,
Milena Badjova-Rahn, Bruce Cochran,
Jesse Stremski-Andrews, Desi Klicheva,
Yulia Dimitrova-Ilieva, Daniela Georgieva,
Ivan Velev

San Jose School of Highland Dancing
The San Jose School of Highland Dancing was founded in the 1960’s by Norine Harmon, who retired in
December of 2005. The school was relocated to Campbell and re-opened in January of 2006, ensuring that
the Scottish Highland dance tradition continued in the San Jose area.
For more information, visit: www.sanjosehighlanddance.com
Scottish Highland dancing is one of the oldest forms of folk dance. Modern ballet and square dance trace
their roots back to the Highlands of Scotland. In the eleventh and twelfth centuries, Scottish Highland
dances were highly athletic male celebratory dances of triumph or joy and warrior dances performed over
swords and spiked shields. According to tradition, the kings and chiefs of Scotland used Highland Games as
a way of choosing the best men for their men at arms and Highland dancing was one of the various ways
men were tested for strength, stamina, accuracy, and agility. In the past the Scottish military regiments used
Highland dancing as one form of training to develop stamina and agility.
Competitive Highland dancing began during the Highland revival of Victorian Britain and was for men
only. Ladies began competing by the turn of the twentieth century. Over the last century the dancing
style has become more refined and now shares many elements from classical ballet. Historically Highland
dancing was restricted to males; however, today many females perform and compete at Highland dancing.
Regardless who is dancing, Highland dancing requires both athletic and artistic skill.
We present a selection of traditional solo dances, the Seann Truibhas (pronounced “shawn trews”, meaning
“old trousers” and Sword Dance from the (formerly) male Highland tradition, and the Scottish Lilt and
Blue Bonnets from the National dances traditionally danced by women. Also, a modern choreography that
combines elements of three dances, Flora MacDonald’s Fancy, the Highland Fling, and the Highland Reel, in
three different tempos.
Dancers: Megan Ashworth, Haley Brogan,
Esther Chen, Meghan Crebbin-Coates, Elizabeth Davis,
Catherine MacDougall, Zoe Tcheng,
Hannah Vassar, Noah Vassar, Lawren Wylie
Musicians:
Susan Worland-Bentley (fiddle)
Lyle Ramshaw (piano)
Michael Bentley (bodhran, percussion)
Stephen Thomforde (bagpipes)
Dances:
1. Seann Truibhas
2. Jig / Strathspey / Reel medley
3. Sword Dance (Ghillie Callum)
4. Scottish Lilt
5. Blue Bonnets

Friday April 21 to Sunday April 30, 2017
All dance. All week. All free.
Like what you see tonight? Discover recreational folk dance as a means for fun, health, new friends, and an
appreciation of diverse cultures worldwide. Try these family-oriented dance classes in a relaxed setting.
New dancers always welcome. No partner necessary.
Come this week to try these dance classes, open houses, and parties near you for free!
Day Location Event Presenter
Mon. April 24 San Fran Step Into Greek Dance Greek Feet
Tue. April 25 Berkeley International Dance in the Afternoon Berkeley Folk Dancers
Wed. April 26
Mountain
View
Norwegian Folk Dance Party
Nordahl Grieg Leikarring og
Spelemannslag
San Fran International Folk Dance San Francisco Dance Circle
Atherton Balkan and International Folk Dance Carriage House Folk Dancers
Thu. April 27 San Fran Balkans and Beyond Mandala Folk Dance
Saratoga Dance to Music From Around the World Saratoga International Folk Dancers
Berkeley International Folk Dance for Beginners Berkeley Folk Dancers
Fri. April 28 Palo Alto Join Hands for World Dance Stanford International Folk Dancers
San Fran International Folk Dance Changs' International Folk Dancers
Berkeley International Folk Dance Party Berkeley Folk Dancers
Sun. April 30 San Fran Blossom International Folk Dance Festival Folk Dance Federation, N. CA
Look online to folkdance.com for venues and times this week and continuing all year
SEARCH Bay Area Dance Week online to find many more
free dance classes, performances, and more
by specific artists, dates, or locations
bayareadance.org
folkdance.com

Elaine Manley, CFP ®
Financial Advisor
• Investment Planning
• Retirement Planning
• Insurance Decisions
1999 S. Bascom Ave.
Suite 400
Campbell, CA 95008
office 408-963-2854
manley.wrfa.com
CA Insurance Lic. # 0706550
Securities and Investment Advisory Services offered through Waddell & Reed, Inc., a Broker/Dealer, Member FINRA/
SIPC and a Federally Registered Investment Advisor. Insurance products are offered through insurance companies
with which Waddell & Reed has sales arrangements.
34911 (02/17)

Scottish Country
Dancing!
Fun,
Fitness,
&
Friendship
You don’t have to be Scottish… just want to move
to the beat of lively Celtic music!
No experience or partner necessary
Come join us!
Find a nearby class at:
www.rscds-sf.org