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At this time, classes are scheduled for Monday evenings from 6:00pm-7:00pm beginning January 16, 2012 for new students and dancers working on technique. Lessons are held at Kanopy Dance Studio, located on State Street in Madison, WI. Please contact us if you are interested in taking lessons; new students are always welcome. Company rehearsals are scheduled outside of class.
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Scottish / Irish Fusion Jig
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This was a collaboration project between Silvie Marlette (Scottish dancer/teacher) and Heidi Hakseth (Irish dancer/teacher). It is performed to a Red Hot Chili Pipers song named, "The Famous Baravan". This was the final dance in Gaelic Fusion Dance Company's performance for the 2011 International Festival held at the Overture Center for the Arts.
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Flora MacDonald's Fantasy
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The Flora MacDonald’s Fancy is a National Scottish Dance which means that it is heavily influenced by ballet and originally danced by women. Silvie Marlette, has modified and choreographed the dance to include even more ballet. This was performed by Gaelic Fusion Dance Company in the 2011 International Festival held at the Overture Center for the Arts.
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Arms at Rest was choreographed by Maggie
Thompson (2009) as a tribute to Nelson Mandela.
It is based on an older Scottish dance called Perth Assembly. As
the dance opens, the clan chieftains are traveling from the highlands to gather
at Perth for peace talks.
Before the negotiations can begin, the highland chieftains must literally put their
weapons down on the table or put their arms at rest. Blair Douglas
composed the tune for Nelson Mandela’s visit to the City of Glasgow.
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Honoring
the Four Directions
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Honoring the Four
Directions (2009) is a
choreographic collaboration between guest artist, Maral Shegonee and company
co-director, Maggie Thompson.
The dance is a blend of Native American Fancy Shawl dancing with Gaelic
rhythms and movements. The music was composed by the Native American
Cherokee recording artist Michael Jacobs. The dance tune is called They Come
Dancing.
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In honor of the World Dance
Concert 2007 and UW's Dance Department's 80th Anniversary, Gaelic Fusion Dance Company
premiered High Lands
by New York jazz dancer, teacher, and choreographer Dianne' Aldrich. The
dance is a blend of Scottish and jazz components accompanied by live musicians.
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| The Twisted Fling |
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Traditionally, the 300 year old Highland Fling was danced to the exclusive accompaniment of the Great Highland bagpipes. Gaelic Fusion's Twisted Fling uses the tune "Roasty" which includes the Great pipes and percussive instruments. The traditional dance was performed on a soldier's shield to demonstrate the balance and strength of a warrior, they could not move from the one spot. Silvie's choreography is intended to twist the traditional idea of dancing the Highland Fling in one spot and change the ways in which the steps are danced. Steps are altered to change the formation of the dancers and to create more energetic movements.
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| The Jacobite Sword Dance |
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This dance is performed with Highland dance swords. The dancer's are paired and share one sword and sheath. The Jacobite Sword Dance is highly energetic; the music includes Great pipes, drums, and a didgeridoo. During the quick time the dancers move across the stage doing turning pas de bas to exchange swords and partners.
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| Cockney Jocks |
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The Cockney Jocks is borrowed choreography from Colin Robertson, Director of the Scottish National Dance Company. Cockney Jocks, is a rather unusual Highland Dance because it is lyrical and many of the dancers' positions are held for more than the normal one count of music. Gaelic Fusion took the already intriguing dance performed by an individual dancer and modified the steps to work as a group. The ever changing pairings or groupings of dancers is a tribute to the proud cockney jocks regiment that both the dance and a pipe tune were named for.
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We are constantly looking and listening to new music. The combination of Christmas Carols composed and performed by Steve Schuch & The Night Heron Consort on the CD entitled, "A Celtic Celebration", inspired Maggie Thompson to choreograph this dance. Maggie used some Highland movement and steps but was influenced by winter sports such as ice skating in her composition. The Santa hats and tartan muffs were a visual highlight.
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| This dance is based on the Highland Sailor's Hornpipe. It is a duet that shows off some of the best steps of the Sailor's Hornpipe. This choreography tells a story of two spirited shipmates who try to outdo eachother in finishing their duties. One of the benefits of the creativity involved in Gaelic Fusions' work is that our humorous nature can shine through.
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One of our favorite Scottish bands is, Peatbog Faeries. The song, "The Anthropolgist", provided a jazzy melody and beat for Gaelic Fusions version of The Celtic Reel. This dance is Celtic rather than Highland so the movements have more similarity to Irish or Folk dancing rather than Scottish Highland.
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