Summer Dance – Polwarth Church Hall, Edinburgh - Saturday 31st July
Ian Brockbank’s enthusiastic email invitation to the Branch’s new venture, a summer dance, popped up unexpectedly in the inbox. A free Saturday night, a local venue, a chance to get back dancing after an injury – and Marian Anderson! It’s a complete no-brainer – we’re going!
And so were the 70+ other dancers who gathered at Polwarth Church from far and wide on a warm summer evening. It was the Saturday between the first and second weeks of the Summer School which no doubt accounted for visitors from Los Angeles, Oregon, Adelaide, Germany, the Netherlands, London, the Borders and South Queensferry.
The hall was just large enough for so many dancers and the band sat on a low staging, close in front of them, which all made for a good feeling of informality and friendliness. You could not have felt lonely in this room!
Ian himself MC’d the first half, while Harry Andrews took over after the interval. All the dances were recapped but the programme comprised well-known dances and there was no evidence of any set losing the plot. Few of the sixteen dances were repeated so there was sufficient time to add in both the extras. ‘The Westminster Reel’ (Book 45) was a new one for some of us and seemed particularly well received.
Undoubtedly, much of the enjoyment of the evening stemmed from the music. Marian Anderson and her two colleagues produced set after set of inspirational arrangements which can only be summarized as ‘lifting’. They are one of the most popular bands around - well done, Marian, and well done the Branch for booking her!
So, a great night and a great idea. Summer is a time for doing lots of other things but 31st July proved that with the right timing, the right music and the right venue, a summer dance will be popular. Another one next year, perhaps?
Colin Lamb |