Ghillies on, aboynes donned, bagpipes ready
Highland dancers (from left) Eleanor McKay Vercoe, 10, Lara Mills, 8, Elise Cookson, 7, and Lucy McKay Vercoe, 6, are ready to perform at the 113th Annual Highland and National Dancing Championships at Otago Boys' High School today. PHOTO: LINDA ROBERTSON
While many of us will be blissfully sleeping in this weekend, hundreds of Highland and National dancers will be flinging themselves across a stage to the skirl of bagpipes.
Piping and Dancing Association of New Zealand Otago Centre president Shiobhan Smith said about 120 dancers of all ages, from as far away as Auckland, would be competing in the 113th Annual Highland and National Dancing Championships at Otago Boys' High School.
She said the Otago provincial competition had attracted so many competitors this year because South Island dancing titles were also on offer at the championships.
"So there'll be awards for South Island level dancing as well as Otago level dancing, all in the same competition."
She said it was also very popular because the competition had a very long history.
"The actual Piping and Dancing Association of New Zealand started in Dunedin, hence why we have that long history.
"A number of the cups and trophies that we give out, have been awarded since at least the 1920s.
"They often have the who's who of Highland dancing from the last 100 years as winners [are] engraved on them, so there's a lot of prestige in doing well at these competitions.
"It is also one of the best big competitions for competitors to compete in, in order to complete their preparations for the New Zealand championships in July."
At the same time, the Otago Centre would be running the 113th Annual Solo Piping Competitions at John McGlashan College, where about 65 pipers would be vying for Otago, South Island and national titles, she said.
"If we weren't doing this on a King's Birthday weekend, we'd be sleeping in.
"But we're a passionate bunch.
"I don't think any of us could see ourselves doing anything but.
"There's no such thing as sleeping in on a weekend like this — not with all the bagpipes around."
Entry to both events is free.
john.lewis@odt.co.nz
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