30 September 2023: Tanztag Rhein-Main

Like every year, the “Tanzplattform Rhein-Main” puts on the Tanztag Rhein-Main, where all dancing and folklore clubs, dance schools, and dance groups in the area are invited to present their offerings in taster sessions. And of course there is the big dance party in the evening!

1.45pm: We arrived at the Mousonturm venue and repair to the 4th floor for our ceilidh-dancing session. We’re greeted by a Tanztag helper with a friendly “Hi Scottish dancers, I recognise you from last year … but this year you aren’t supposed to be here!” We’re taken aback. Don’t we dance in the big rehearsal room on the 4th floor like always? A closer look at the programme shows “no”. Our two workshops are really in the Studio 1 on the 1st floor (2nd floor for our American readers). So, going down the stairs again … at least that warms us up 😉 On the 3rd floor stairs we’re meeting Dirk coming up, and the three of us descend further to the 1st floor to register with the helper there. After a brief greeting and a few instructions we enter the Studio 1 and prepare everything. The first people who are curious about the ceilidh workshop are also there already. And then we’re taking off: Gay Gordons Two Step, The Ferryboat, Strip the Willow, Military Two Step, Virginia Reel, Canadian Barn Dance, and St Bernard's Waltz … We’re putting on a steady pace and the dancers are visibly enjoying themselves. The first 90 minutes fly by and we’re earning much applause and thank-yous.

A 15-minute break and then it’s country dancing. Three 3-couple sets are a reasonable turnout – some people have stayed on from the ceilidh workshop – and we’re doing a proper warm-up before Anselm explains the basics and we’re starting with simple step and formation practice. Soon the dancers have mastered the formations for our first dance, A Reel for Jeannie: A circle, slip steps down and up, cast, arches, clapping and a turn. And since this has worked so well, we’re immediately proceeding to the next challenge, Trip to Gatlinburg. People who were at last Tuesday's class might remember this one: Four hands across and back, then a tricky chase first for the ladies, then the men, and finish with a circle. Our country-dance rookies rise to the occasion and handle the weaving overtaking chase with panache. We’re impressed. We have time for one more dance and can apply what we learned in Off to Speyside, before our 90 minutes of country dancing are also gone already. We’re chatting with a few of the participants, advertise the weekend taster workshop we’ll be putting on in November together with the Frankfurt Volkshochschule (adult education centre), and receive enthusiastic feedback. We’re wondering whether anyone will show up on a Tuesday.

Next for us is a well-deserved and very tasty dinner at the Indian restaurant down the street, Mera Masala. Some people’s tummies have already been rumbling 😉 Over coffee at the Mousonturm’s bistro we’re reviewing the day so far, and then it’s on to the dance party in the big hall. Every participating dance group has 15 minutes and we’re using ours for Festival Interceltique and this afternoon’s Military Two Step. A very large group of dancers has boisterous fun. And we’re rather happy with ourselves and the day!

Many thanks, Anna, Christoph, Constanze, Dirk, and Sabine for the first-class support!!

Text and photographs: Maria-Theresia Schwarz