IMPORTANT NEWS

Find important announcements here, or if you have news to be posted, email sdo.socialmedia@gmail.com

Loree Martin Vellner Memorial Scholarship
The Loree Martin Vellner Highland Dancing Scholarship, in the amount of $1500, is open to any past or current competitive dancer who holds a current Examining Body status (Associate/Member/Fellow) and is or will be attending any post-graduate institution in Canada in the year of the application.




J.L. McKenzie Scholarship
It has been decided that the demonstration of the Tribute to JL McKenzie will again be submitted via a YouTube link. The deadline for the JL Scholarship is April 15th.
It is requested that all applications be forwarded no later than the 18th so they can be summarized and sent out for review by an independent panel.





Introducing... A Different Kind of Competition
A “DIFFERENT” KIND OF COMPETITION
Our goal is to raise $30,000, split equally between Food Banks Canada and the Kids Help Phone.
**CALL TO ACTION – DANCERS AND PROFESSIONALS**
DANCER VIDEO RECORDING GUIDELINES:
- Dancers must maintain Provincial government health advisories around physical distancing if choosing to dance with another dancer, unless the dancers are within the same family.
- Dancers to wear traditional Highland, National, Jig, or Hornpipe costumes when dancing steps associated with these dances. Hair to be styled as per competition performance.
- Dancers may choose to dance steps from a choreography routine. Choreography outfit should incorporate plaid into their costume. Hair to be styled as per competition performance.
- Non-competitive dancers who do not have a regulation competitive outfit should wear appropriate dance attire (bodysuit or similar) and incorporate plaid into their outfit. Non-competitive dancers may wear a choreography-type outfit. Hair to be styled as per competition.
- No need to bow or courtesy at the beginning of your video. Dancers may bow, courtesy, salute (hornpipe) or pose (jig or choreography) at the end their video. The editing at our end will include video transitioning techniques between each dancer’s video.
- RECORDING TO BE 20-25 SECONDS MAXIMUM.
- Dancers should make sure they are fully in the frame when filming - camera may need to be placed further back to incorporate movement - try not to cut off feet or hands
- Recording device should be placed on a solid surface to avoid bouncing while the dancer is dancing (indoor video recording).
- When recording outside, if possible, place the recording device on a solid surface; if hand-held recording, care to be taken to keep device still.
- Natural light is best; if possible please record outside or near a window (if inside).
- If recording inside, make sure the area is clear of anything which could obstruct movement or detract from your video.
- Consider recording with scenery of the province where you live in the background (mountains, trees, ocean/lake, prairie, etc.).
- Light (sun) should be in front of the dancer, not behind.
- Select the highest resolution video when submitting (eg. "Actual Size" instead of "Small", "Medium" or "Large").
- Celtic music will be dubbed in the background for each video. Videos should be submitted without sound if possible so that minimal editing is needed by the technical team.
Most importantly—Smile! Have fun! Be safe!
VIDEO AND VIDEO WAIVER SUBMISSION:
- A link to the video and video waiver submission portal will be provided on July 25th.
- Label video file with the name of the dancer AND province: BC/AB/AB/SK/MB/ON/QC/NS/NB/PEI (video file name must match name of dancer on video waiver form).
- Names will only be used for internal purposes and not shown on fundraiser donation site.
Submission date for videos and video/photography waivers: July 27th at 1:00pm EDT.
- The first 100 videos submitted by dancers from each of the 4 teams will be shown on the fundraiser donation site.
- Video submissions will be time-stamped – please submit videos starting from July 27th at 1:00pm EDT
- Videos submitted that are not used for the fundraiser will be used for future marketing purposes by ScotDance Canada.
Each dancer plays an equally important role on each team—spread the word to help your team raise the greatest amount of donations for Food Banks Canada and the Kids Help Phone.
We can achieve this goal together, even though we are apart!

Hello Members!
Just a quick reminder to get your entries in for our February 29th competition (closing date February 18th) as well as our March 1st workshop!
*Please note that the February entry is to be sent to Sharon Sweeney (address on entry) and the workshop please mail to Joy Tolev (address on entry).
Thank you!
Laura Gilchrist
ECHDA Membership Administrator
Reminder: “RSOBHD Registered Dancers taking part in un-registered Competitions which include Pre-Premier events, and/or providing incorrect information will incur a six month penalty. During this period they will not be accepted as eligible to enter any registered competition.”
SDC will be updating the dancer registration forms to include this sentence.
Remember: The SDTA (ON) Milton Festival is coming up, entry closing date is January 19, 2020.
Please find the entry form here.
Reminder
ECHDA January competition entry form available here
SDTA(ON)
SDTA (ON) will be taking over the organization of the Niagara Championship in St. Catharines. We will be hosting the Niagara Championship in memory of Paulina McMaster on April 18, 2020. The SDTA (ON) Festival will be held on April 19, 2020. There will be 2 days of dancing with events for Pre-premiers, Premiers, Restricted levels, Pre-Championships, Double Swords, Choreography and special events.
Please mark April 18 and 19, 2020 on your dancing calendars.
Congratulations
to the 2019 World Champions:
Rosey Watt (Scotland), Marielle Lesperance (Canada), Beret Dernbach (USA)
Photo credit: Cowal Highland Gathering





National Capital Highland Games in Ottawa on August 17th.
being held in conjunction with the Capital Fairs at Rideau Carleton Raceway.
On-line entries just went live today - CLICK HERE to access the online entry form.

Congratulations - 2018 Oscar Winners & Championship Winners

MI Celtic Classic Spring and 2nd Annual Queen Lakes Open Championship
As a reminder, this is the last week to register for the 11th Annual MI Celtic Classic Spring and 2nd Annual Queen Lakes Open Championship taking place on Saturday, May 19th, 2019 at Endeavor Middle School in Ray, MI.
We will be having a pre-premier competition, pre-championship, premier solo choreography as well as open championship! Should be a wonderful day of dance.
Be sure to register at the link below by Friday, May 3rd.
Teachers and Dancers
“New for 2019 Georgetown Highland Games”
Mail in Entries or Online Entries are available at www.georgetownhighlandgames.com
“New for 2019” Gate passes – 12 years and under free- Over 12 must show their Scotdance Card at the gate.
Sue McCarrol
Director Highland Dance
VP Georgetown Highland Games
April 6th SDTA (ON) Competition Schedule:
Schedule for April 6, 2019
8:30 Registration
9:00 Starting the Restricted Event #1 Sailors Hornpipe
Pre-premier Lilts followed by Restricted #1 Lilts
Pre-premier Flora
Restricted #1 Blue Bonnets
Primary PDBs
Primary PDBs and High cuts
Pre-premier Fling, Primary Fling
Restricted #1 Barracks
Primary Sword
11:00 (Tentatively) scheduled for Choreographed Double Sword
11:30 (Tentatively) scheduled Choreography Solos
12:00 Morning awards, lunch break and afternoon registration
12:45 Restricted #1 and restricted #2 - 4 highland dances to completion
IMPORTANT UPDATE 3/27/19:
2nd Restricted Class - April 6th Competition
UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE:
Please be advised that in keeping with SOBHD rules (choreography rules "Set-piece" under rule 4c, p.48 - C&R, 2019) the Traditional Double Sword is now a Choreographed Double Sword. This will be danced to the Ghillie Callum (2 & 1)
Sorry for any inconvenience.
Regards
Deborah Wardrope
SDTA (ON) is offering 2 Restricted classes at the April competition. Restricted #1 event is for those who have not won an overall trophy in the last 2 years. Restricted #2 event is open to any dancer who has not been a representative at a National Championship or been top 6 at the World Championships in the last 5 years.
Any questions can be forwarded to wardrope123@rogers.com
SDO Oscar Sponsorship Letter Form



OHDA Dancer Workshops & CPD Sessions
SDO Members re: the Upcoming OHDA Dancer Workshop and CPD Sessions for Professionals on Sunday, March 24th.
Please visit our Entries & Documents page, or, information and on-line registration is now open via www.ohda.ca for both dancers and professionals.
We are looking forward to another great day for our dancers and some informative sessions for all of you via approved CPD.
Any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact either myself or Danielle Hamilton.
Many thanks,
- Gillian Macdonald
SDCCS 2019
Please visit our entries & documents tab for sponsorship information & downloadable forms for SDCCS 2019.
Note Re: Ancaster April Competition
Update to the calendar for 2019.
The Restricted and Pre-Premier competition in Ancaster Ontario is being held on April 6th, 2019.
There will be Highland and National events. It is a one day event and the entry will be out shortly.
2019 Ontario Highland Dancing Calendar
Exciting News from the SDCCS Ottawa ’21 Committee:
The first of the province-wide fundraising projects for SDCCS Ottawa 2021 is ready to launch.
A full-colour calendar, Ontario Highland Dancing 2019, is expected to be ready by November 29/30, just in time for Christmas gift-giving and dancers planning their 2019 competition year. We are in the process of making arrangements to get calendars to you as quickly as possible, starting as soon as Nov. 30/Dec. 1st . The focus for this calendar was to highlight Competition Organizations across the province and includes the various competition dates province-wide for 2019, other information and many photos of highland dancers. Only 500 printed to serve province-wide, they will retail for $20 ea, with all profits going towards helping to finance ScotDance Canada Championship Series- Ottawa 2021.
Studios can choose to collect from their students and make a lump payment via e-transfer or cheque payable to SDCCS 2021 or have individuals make their own payment, though still recording sales for your school via the attached form.
Also, in attachment, is an order form for your convenience and that you can print or send to your students to place their individual orders. Unfortunately, Canada Post has made our distribution process a little more challenging, and we are hopeful of some other options to get the calendars to you, including having your help to do so. Please see attached re pick up and distribution.
Understanding, this is a quick turn-around process, could you please let us know approx. how many calendars you think you will need for you and your studio and we will get your order bundled up and ready for you. With the BATD Festival being held at the Bob Rumball Centre in Scarborough on Dec. 1st, or the SD & G Competition in Avonmore, the same weekend, we could arrange to have them either place for you to pick up if you are planning to attend one of these events. Otherwise, we would be looking for someone to pick them up on your behalf, with arrangements to get them to you afterwards. Please let us know which would work best for you.
Thanking you in advance for your support of this exciting, international Highland dancing event coming to Ottawa.
