A very special year!

Tascal Winter Ball Weekend 2023 with musicians Chris Duncan and Catherine Strutt. This year we celebrate the centenary of the formation of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society in 1923.

Friday evening, choose between a tour of Unshackled/ the Convict Memorial Hub, Hobart Penitentiary Chapel Site or walk through some of the dances for Saturday evening's Ball at St George's Church Hall before joining together for supper.

Saturday evening is the gala event at the beautiful historic Hobart Town Hall beginning with the Grand March led by piper Geoff Jones, then dance through the decades with Chris and Catherine's energetic music.

On Sunday, indulge in an optional celebratory whisky or spirit tasting, before enjoying a picnic lunch and dance with Chris and Catherine at the Richmond Town hall in historic Richmond village.

Location of Winter ball Venue

Get directions

Saturday, 19 August, 2023 - Winter Ball

Hobart Town Hall (Winter Ball)
50 Macquarie Street, Hobart Tasmania 7000

In 1923, Miss Jean Milligan and Mrs Ysobel Stewart led the formation of what we now know as the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society. This year, we celebrate the centenary of its foundation. The dance programme comprises dances from each of the ten decades demonstrating the growth in formations devised and style of dance as well as dances to honour Miss Milligan and Mrs Stewart. Our musicians, Chris Duncan and Catherine Strutt  play with non-stop energy, inviting us to dance with passion and joy.

Gather in Hobart's elegant historic Town Hall at 7pm to meet friends and enjoy warming mulled cider. The Grand March begins at 7.30pm led by piper Geoff Jones, then we dance the night away. Enjoy a sumptuous supper during the evening. 

Tickets: Adult $55.00, 16 years & under $25.00, Spectators $30.00

Programme:

To view cribs, videos and diagrams, click on link: Tascal Winter Ball 2023

Here is the dance list

1. Good Hearted Glasgow J 8 x 32 RSCDS Guide to SCD

2. Lady Susan Stewart's Reel R 8 x 32  Book 5

3. The Braes of Breadalbane S 8 x 32 Book 21

4. Lady Catherine Bruce's Reel J 8 x 32 Graded Book 1

5. Miss Milligan's Strathspey S 8 x 32 Leaflets

6. Petronella R danced 6 x 32 in 3 couple sets Book 1

7. Pelorus Jack J 8 x 32 Book 41

8. Linnea's Strathspey S 8 x 32 Book 47

9. Flight to Melbourne Sq set R 4 x 32 Book 47

10. Miss Allie Anderson J 8 x 32 Leaflets

11. Catch the Wind R 8 x 32 Book 45

12. The Rakes of Glasgow S 8 x 32 Book 11

13. Mrs Stewart's Jig J 8 x 32 Book 35

14. Byron Strathpsey S 3 x 32 Drewry

15. What a Beau my Granny Was R 8 x 32 Book 14

16. Neidpath Castle S 3 x 32 Book 22

17. The Nurseryman J 8 x 32 Book 37

18. The Montgomeries' Rant R 8 x 32 Book 10

Friday, 18 August, 2023 - a choice of two options

Tour  Unshackled/the Convict Memorial Hub, Hobart Penitentiary Chapel Site

Discover a grim side of Hobart’s past at Unshackled / the Convict Memorial Hub at the Penitentiary Chapel Historic Site. Launched in June 2023, be one of the first to see this exciting, very original MONA-like digital history presentation on Tasmania’s convicts with a Scottish twist. Over a million digitised records are used to create an interactive visualisation of convict experience. The experience includes a tour of the historic site including the chapel, courts and cells.

Location: Cnr Brisbane and Campbell Sts, Hobart. There is a small amount of parking on site for those requiring assistance. Other parking is available in the vicinity. Map reference: Hobart Penitentiary Chapel Hub Site

After the tour, travel to St George's Church Hall, 30 Cromwell St, Battery Point and join the ball walk-through group for a friendly supper. It is approximately a 15 to 20 min brisk walk to St George's or a 7 to 10 minute drive. Chat to each other and plan your Saturday activities before the evening ball.

Tour time: 6pm to 8pm, supper at St George's, 8.15pm to 9pm   Cost $25 (includes supper)

or

Ball programme walk-through

Brush up some of the dances on the programme.

Dancing from 6pm to 8pm, supper 8.15pm to 9pm. Cost $15.00 (includes supper)

St George's Church Hall, 30 Cromwell St, Battery Point.  Parking is available in the street. Map reference: St George's Church Hall

Sunday, 20 August, 2023 - Richmond Picnic

This year, to celebrate the centenary in true Scottish style we offer an optional extra!

Drink Tasmania Tasting House Centenary toast

11.00am to 12 noon

Indulge in a Tasmanian whisky or spirit tasting at The Drink Tasmania Tasting  House in Richmond just near the town hall picnic venue. Sample crafted Tasmanian whiskies, gins or other spirits and toast the RSCDS and dancers around the world.

Dating back to the 1820s, this heritage listed building has been a coach house, dance hall, bakery and boutique. It is now a base for personalised tastings, showcasing the very best Tasmanian boutique wines, whisky, gin and other craft beverages. Link to website Drink Tasmania Tasting HouseChoose a tasting paddle of either 3 whiskies, gins or other spirits. Whisky paddle $35, Gin paddle $20, other spirits paddle $20. Book your ticket for the appropriate session. Payment will be on the day to the Drink Tasmania Tasting House. Map reference Map to Drink Tasmania Tasting House

Afterwards, join friends and family for a relaxing picnic day at the Richmond Town Hall.  Bring food to share, dancing shoes, musical instruments to play with Chris and Catherine. This is a fun day to relax with friends after the energy of the ball. Be sure to book the session titled Sunday Drink Tasmania Tasting House session PLUS PICNIC. Cost to join picnic following the tasting $10.

Picnic Only

11.00am to 3.00pm, $10.00

If you are coming for the picnic only, book the session titled Picnic Only!

Richmond Village Green and Town Hall Map reference Richmond Town Hall

After booking, you will receive an email with your ticket, receipt and further information including the link to the Winter Ball programme.

Best Practice Health Guidelines for Respiratory Infections apply.

• Maintain physical distancing in public spaces;
• Wear a mask if you feel more comfortable doing so;
• Regularly sanitize or wash your hands between dances;
• Please do not attend if you are unwell. Stay home and recover.

Contact Event Organiser