Xiaohongshu
Welcome to CalSoc!
Fancy a go at Scottish Reeling? Whether you know the Eightsome Reel like the back of your hand or don’t have a clue what that means, come along to our regular practices! We're a friendly and inclusive society who hold regular socials too.
We meet on Mondays 7pm for dancing, learning a new dance each week and honing your skills in preparation for our wonderful winter and spectacular summer balls!
Past socials include scotch cocktail making, shortbread making and film watch-alongs, along with a healthy dose of pub trips. We celebrate special occasions, such as Halloween and Burns Night, and often take part in the wider folk dance scene.
All are welcome regardless of skill!
Weekly Sessions 💃:
- Every Monday 7-9pm, in Room 642, Institute of Education (IoE), 20 Bedford Way, WC1H 0AL
- Dancing and fun. We usually teaching Scottish reeling from scratch. No pressure, just for fun! Pub afterwards!
Special Sessions:
- Halloween👻🎃 - Monday 2nd November, 7-9pm, Room 642, IoE
- St Andrews Day Celebration 🏴 - Monday 30th November, 7-9pm, Room 642, IoE
Winter Ball 🤵❄️:
- Black tie ball with a live ceilidh band, and unlimited snacks and drinks! You won't want to miss it!
- Saturday 12th December, Jeremy Bentham Room, UCL Main Campus. 7-11pm.
- Tickets coming soon!
Reeling FAQ
What is reeling?
A reel is a traditional Scottish group dance. It can be similar to a ceilidh, country or folk dancing.
Do I need to have reeled before?
No, everyone is welcome regardless of ability! We teach all dances from scratch and guarantee you'll be a dab hand before the balls. Our first session is always free so you can give it a good go before joining.
What should I wear?
Whatever you feel comfortable in. It can get warm as you’re dancing, so lots of layering isn't advised, and comfortable flat shoes are recommended.
How do the practice sessions run?
We will start by teaching the basic moves for reeling, i.e. how to ‘set’ and ‘turn’. We will then learn a dance through demonstration and practice before dancing it in full to music. After each dance, we will pause for drinks and socialise with each other before moving onto the next dance.
Do I need to be Scottish to join?
All nationalities are welcome! The society is about sharing culture and dancing with everyone. In fact, we also host events celebrating other forms of folk dancing, such as Welsh or Medieval dances.
Do I need to come with a partner?
No. The more the merrier, but if you don’t have anyone to come with, don’t worry!
How much does it cost?
Taster memberships: Free
Standard memberships: £8
All of our regular practice sessions are free with membership, and you'll get a discount on ball tickets!
What kind of calling do you use?
We use gender-free calling, so anyone can dance with whoever and in whatever role they like, and we operate a refusal without protest attitude to dancing partners, so everyone is as comfortable as possible.
Have a look at some of our core dances
