Every Winter the Wish for Spring hatches 3-4 months early. But one never knows in Toronto when Spring has officially landed given the flux of cold weather deep into May and even June. However, culturally Spring has officially arrived with the commencement of the Scottish Country Dancing in Edwards Gardens the first Tuesday in June and proceeding 3 more Tuesdays to the end of the month. Now 2007 was the last time I had taken photos and told the story of Scottish Country Dancing in Toronto. Was I in for surprise this last year!
Edwards Gardens has changed dramatically – especially around the lodge. Here is a slider of images of the new look:
In the new Edward Gardens sculpted grove, you are so near to the Scottish dance site you can hear but not see the pre-dance Scottish band music because you are behind a strange and enchanting new Sculpted Edwards Garden Setting. So you have to go down the various landscaped pathways protected by sculpted hedges and bushy squared off trees. And the one guide is the raising and lowering of the Scottish Dance music as you get closer to the meadow. The Sculpted Garden has a circular lookout mound to help find your way:
And once you have found your way, there is truly a dancing fest to be had.
Scottish Dancing in the Park is a June Delight
Now being a Country Square Dancer from way back when, I have a soft touch feel for fiddling, called dances and the intricate brocades of steps and regales which make . Surely I have some ancestors from the Jane Austen era in England. But the Scottish riels are even more intriguing as dancers intertwine to the the brocade patterns of the dance:
Truly it is knitting in the large and as you can see, enjoyed by all. So now you know why Scottish Dancing in Edwards Gardens marks the true beginning of Springtime in Toronto
