Asilomar Ball

Class: Right hands around grip

Plesanton Games adjudication team, photo 1

Valentine's Ball, photo 1

Class: Pas de Bas

Plesanton Games adjudication team, photo 2

Valentine's Ball, photo 2

Class: Right hands across

Plesanton Games adjudication team, photo 3

Asilomar, Sunday mass class

Class: Cross by the right

Plesanton Games adjudication team, photo 4

Welcome to the Mountain View Scottish Country Dance Class

We are pleased to welcome you all to a new year of Scottish Country Dance classes, continuing at the Mountain View Sports Pavilion, at 1185 Castro Street at intersection with Miramonte Avenue. MAP

A new season of classes starts each Fall on the first Wednesday after Labor Day (September 6, 2023) with Introductory class for old and new friends (FREE for everyone) at the Mountain View Sports Pavilion. Classes are held most Wednesdays and lessons cost $10.00 per week, with full-session pre-pay welcome and with discount.

Class Structure

Classes being held with Covid sensibilities. Masks are optional at present.

There are two main semesters:

  • September through December
  • January through May

There are two class levels: a basic skills class and a class for experienced dancers.

Teachers' Schedule:

  • Basic Skills -
  • Armin Busse (09/06 - 11/29)
  • Laura Cooper (12/06 - 02/28)
  • Paula Jacobson (03/06 - 05/29)
  • Experienced -
  • Alan Twhigg (09/06 - 10/25, 01/03 - 02/14)
  • Geoffrey Wood (11/01 - 12/13, 02/21 - 04/10)
  • Laura Cooper (04/17 - 05/29)
  • 5/29 is End of Year Party at the Garden House (Shoup Park, Los Altos) MAP

Class Schedule

  • 7:45 pm: All meet for warm-ups and announcements (come earlier if you have questions)
  • 8:00 pm: Class divides for lessons
  • 9:20 pm: Rejoin for combined class social dancing and cool down

Other Useful Information

thistle bullet Parties and special events are planned throughout the year and will be announced in class.

thistle bullet PLEASE arrive promptly...we appreciate your consideration! The sign-in table will be located inside the main hall so any late-comers will be asked to enter and sign-in quietly so as not to disturb the classes already in session.

thistle bullet Signing-in (and paying!) is especially important for insurance purposes. Even if you've pre-paid we still need your signature to verify attendance for insurance, should anything happen.

thistle bullet Wearing nametags or dance-buttons is strongly encouraged, both to help introduce everyone as well as identify the dancers for the teachers.

thistle bullet Plan to stay for social dancing -- that's what Scottish country dancing is all about! This is a chance for newcomers and more experienced dancers to get acquainted.

thistle bullet During the year we encourage all dancers to attend the Branch Monthly Parties, especially when the Mountain View Class is hosting. Monthly Parties are typically held the first Saturdays of the month, October through June, and take place in venues throughout the SF Bay Area.

thistle bullet At least twice a year, the Mountain View Class schedules a "Town Hall Meeting" where teachers, managers and dancers can share news, concerns and suggestions for the benefit of the class. These meetings traditionally take place in October and March and are held at the end of class. All dancers are encouraged to attend.

thistle bullet Shoes and clothing:

If you don't have Scottish country dance footwear ("ghillies"), please find shoes with soft, non-skid, flexible soles. Light weight sneakers are OK. Some floors and shoes make for more slippery combinations than others. Ask teachers, managers, or fellow dancers for advice re: treating dance shoes with non-slip goop (class tube and brush available at sign-in desk). Some venues allow us to have "slip-stop" powder for dipping our shoes into when the floor is particularly slippery.

Women are encouraged to wear dresses or skirts and tops and those men who have them, wear kilts, or often will wear shorts. It's traditional... and also much easier for teachers to observe everyone's dancing technique if they can actually see the legs and feet!

Again, welcome! This class has been dancing for over 20 years. Please join us!