MADISON SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCERS
Branch of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society
Madison Scottish Country Dancers invite you to usher in the new RSCDS century at our Centennial Ball!
Join us for a swinging good time with the acclaimed New England father-son duo, Ed Pearlman, fiddle, and Neil Pearlman, piano. Melding Celtic music with flavors of jazz and Latin, they'll breath fresh life into dances from the last ten decades! As an added bonus, the duo will be joined for part of the program by Madison fiddler Dave Mullen of Sogan.
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.
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.
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 and Cape Breton step dance demonstration.
Bethany Evangelical Free Church
301 Riverside Drive Madison 53704
(Parking behind church and on side streets. Enter from parking lot.)
Saturday, March 25
10:00 - 11:00 am Cape Breton Step Dance Workshop
$15 fee (cash/check)
General public welcome, pre-registration not necessary
Neil Pearlman, teacher
Ed Pearlman, musician
Mount Olive Lutheran Church
110 N. Whitney Way Madison 53705
(Entrance to parking & workshop on Langlois St.)
11:00 am - 1:00 pm Lunch (on your own)
Afternoon Walkthroughs - More Information
1:00 - 3:00 pm Advanced Walkthrough
Memorial Union 3rd Floor, Old Madison Room
800 Langdon St., Madison 53706
1:00 - 3:00 pm Beginner Walkthrough (1st year dancers)
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
Weekend Schedule
Parking Near Memorial Union
Links to current availability and maps
Registration Information
Register by mail/check or online/PayPal using the above buttons. Registration forms must be postmarked (or submitted by PayPal) by March 8 to qualify for the early bird price ($10 more afterwards). Note: dinner orders not accepted after March 8.
Student Discount / Scholarships
We offer a $10 discount for students attending the ball and/or workhop. Scholarships are also available for those otherwise unable to attend. For more information, contact Barb Samdahl, Registrar, by March 8.
Silent Auction
There will be a silent auction with many fabulous items to purchase--bring your checkbook or cash, but we will also have credit/debit card options available. If you have an item to donate to the auction, print and fill out an auction bid sheet and give it to ?.
Accommodations
Please indicate on the registration form if you desire hospitality and also contact hospitality chair Scott Weiss. We will do our best to accommodate everyone, but can't guarantee it. Hotel information can be found at visitmadison.com/accommodations/ or by calling the Madison Convention & Visitors Bureau at 800 / 373-6376.
Key Contacts
Registrar: Barb Samdahl, 608 / 241-8995
Ball Co-chair & Hospitality: Scott Weiss, 608 / 358-1388
Ball Co-chair: Ann Lindsey, 608 / 833-7690
Dance workshop: Nancy McClements, 608 / 358-4478
Friday concert: Barb Samdahl, 608 / 241-8995
Silent auction: ?
Next Year
Mark your calendars for our 44th Ball Weekend, March 22-24, 2024, when our guest musicians will be Andy Imbrie and Deby Benton Grosjean from Reel of Seven!