Welcome to theCape Breton Step Dance ClassWeb Page |
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Classes now taught in Berkeley and Sacramento and Galt |
Click on city name for class information
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Two hundred years ago, settlers from the Scottish Highlands and Western Islands immigrated to Cape Breton, an isolated island off the tip of present-day Nova Scotia. They brought with them a form of hard-shoe dance then performed in Scotland. These steps have largely died out in the old country but have been preserved in the kitchens and living rooms and on the dance floors of Cape Breton Island. Similar to clogging, Irish step, and tap-dance, they are performed to fiddle or bagpipe or even puirt-a-beul (singing without instruments).
The Cape Breton Step Dance Class began in 1997 in the classic tradition of Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia: in the living rooms of two homes. The teachers, Gail Erwin and Bob Schuldheisz, wanted to share the steps they had learned in Cape Breton. Class members have performed at Scottish Games and Celtic events from Woodland to Bakersfield. The performance group took the name "Caper Duck"--Caper from the term by which Cape Bretoners identify themselves, and Duck for the class's stuffed mascot decked out in the Cape Breton tartan.
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Caper Duck Click on Caper Duck to view Performance Schedule |
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Cape Breton Step Dancing in Berkeley WHERE: Ashkenaz Music & Dance Community Center, Back Studio
1317 San Pablo Avenue (near Gilman St.)
Berkeley, CA
(510) 525-5099
Website for map & directions:
www.ashkenaz.com
WHEN:
2nd Sunday of the month TIME:
1:00-4:00 pm
1st hour—new dancers (experienced dancers welcome
also)
2nd & 3rd
hours—experienced Cape Breton Step dancers COST:
$23 for session of 3 classes, to be paid at
first class
$9 drop-in fee AGE
LIMIT:
14 years & up SHOES:
Any flat-soled shoes (no high heels) that
move easily on the floor & stay on your feet. Best NO RUNNING-TYPE SHOES, which stick to the floor. Contact Bob Schuldheisz for more information Email - bobschul@softcom.net Phone - (209) 745-9063 |
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Cape Breton Step Dancing in Sacramento WHERE:
Sierra 2 Center for the Arts & Community, Dance Studio 1
2791 24th Street
Sacramento, CA
(916) 452-3005
Website for location: Sierra
2 Center WHEN:
Wednesdays TIME:
5:30-7:00 pm COST:
$27 for session of 4 classes, to be paid at first class
$9 drop-in fee AGE LIMIT:
14 years & up SHOES:
Any flat-soled shoes (no high heels) that move easily on the
floor & stay on your feet. Best
NO RUNNING-TYPE SHOES, which stick to the floor. Contact Bob Schuldheisz for more information Email - bobschul@softcom.net Phone - (209) 745-9063 |
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Cape Breton Step Dancing in Galt When 3rd Sunday of each month Time New dancers from 1:00 - 2:30 pm. Experienced dancer 2:30 - 4:00 pm Age Limit 14 years & up. SHOES:
Any flat-soled shoes (no high heels) that move easily on the
floor & stay on your feet.
Best
NO RUNNING-TYPE SHOES, which stick to the floor. Contact Bob Schuldheisz for directions to class. (209) 745-9063 email - bobschul@softcom.net |
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Web Page Maintained by
Bob Schuldheisz
Last updated 03/18/09
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