Madison Scottish Country Dancers invite you to usher in the new RSCDS century at our Centennial Ball! 

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Thank you for joining us!

Enjoy photos from the 2023 weekend

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Join us for a swinging good time with the acclaimed New England father-son duo, Ed Pearlman, fiddle, and Neil Pearlman, piano. With unique and jazzy flavors added to traditional Scottish music, they will inspire us as we dance a program celebrating RSCDS dances from the 18th, 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries! As an added bonus, the duo will be joined for part of the program by Madison fiddler Dave Mullen of Sogan. Bagpiper extraordinaire Andrew Seevers will lead the Grand March.

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Based in Boston and Maine, Ed has been a pillar of the American Scottish music scene for over 30 years.  While focusing on Scottish and Cape Breton styles, he also plays a variety of others, including American contra dance music, Irish, bluegrass, jazz. He has performed and taught throughout the USA, Canada and Scotland, working with almost every major name in Scottish and Cape Breton music.

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Neil Pearlman grew up with this legacy and has infused it with jazz, Latin, and pipe band rhythms.  A multi-instrumentalist, step dancer and host of the podcast TradCafe, Neil is known for his unique approach to the piano.  Rooted in traditional Cape Breton styles, his playing incorporates jazz harmony and syncopations of funk, Cuban, and Brazilian dance music to create a unique and infectious sound.  Neil tours and teaches in his own right, in the USA, Canada, Scotland and Galicia.

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Weekend Schedule

 

Friday, March 24

 

7:30 pm     Concert & Dessert Buffet

$15 suggested donation 

General public welcome

Ed & Neil Pearlman

Featuring Scottish fiddle and piano tunes, Highland and Cape Breton step dance demonstrations.

Bethany Ministry Center/Evangelical Free Church

301 Riverside Drive Madison 53704

(Parking behind church and on side streets. Enter from parking lot.)

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Saturday, March 25

 

10:00 - 11:00 am  Cape Breton Step Dance Workshop

$15 fee (cash/check)

General public welcome, pre-registration not necessary

WORKSHOP STILL ON DESPITE SNOW! BE SAFE DO NOT DRIVE IF YOUR ROUTE IS BAD.

Neil Pearlman, teacher

Ed Pearlman, musician

Mount Olive Lutheran Church

110 N. Whitney Way Madison 53705

(Entrance to parking & workshop on Langlois St.)​

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11:00 am - 1:00 pm  Lunch (on your own)

Multiple options available inside Memorial Union or nearby on State St.

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Afternoon Walkthroughs 

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1:00 - 3:00 pm  Beginner Walkthrough (1st year dancers)

Memorial Union 3rd Floor, Old Madison Room

800 Langdon St., Madison 53706

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1:00 - 3:00 pm    Advanced Walkthrough

Memorial Union 4th Floor, Class of 1924 Room

800 Langdon St., Madison 53706

5:00 pm    Social Hour with Cash Bar

Memorial Union, Great Hall, 4th Floor

800 Langdon St., Madison 53706

6:00 pm    Sit-down Dinner

7:30 pm    Grand March and Ball 

Musicians: Ed & Neil Pearlman with Dave Mullen

Piper: Andrew Seevers

      

Midnight    After-Ball Party at a member's home*

Sunday, March 26

 

10:00 am     Potluck Brunch at a member’s home*

 

*Maps available at ball

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Covid Policies 

We suggest taking a Covid test before arriving. Full refunds are available for medical reasons.

 

The following applies to all Saturday events: 

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•    Up-to-date COVID vaccination (as defined by CDC) is required. Eligible persons must also be boosted. In most cases, this means that you have had a booster since the newest was available, September 2, 2022. 

•    Proof of vaccination is required (vaccination card/photo, state online immunization record, etc.)

•    A liability waiver must be signed and handed in or filled out electronically.

•    Masks over the nose and mouth are required unless the Dane County risk level is low. We will have extras in case you have forgotten yours.

•    Please clean your hands frequently throughout the night with sanitizer or soap and water