Highland Dance
Championship

The Nor Cal Celtic Festival will be hosting the Sacramento Valley Championships which will showcase the skills and athleticism of the dancers, as well as being a celebration of Scottish heritage. A "Highland Dance Championship" and a "Highland Dance Competition" both refer to events where Highland dancers perform and are judged on their skills and abilities. The distinction between the two terms is not always clear, but a "Highland Dance Championship" implies a larger, more prestigious event with higher stakes. Championships are major events in the highland dance community, bringing together top dancers from around the world to compete at a high level. Additionally, hosting a highland dance championship is a significant undertaking that requires a great deal of planning, resources, and support, making it an honor for the host organization to be chosen to host such an event.

Scottish Highland dancing is a celebration of the Scottish spirit. The dances are a spectacular combination of strength, agility, precision, movement, music, and costume. Unlike other dance mediums, Highland dances are generally danced solo and in competition. Dances are set to traditional Scottish music such as Strathspeys, Reels, Hornpipes, and Jigs all played by an accompanying bagpiper. The traditional dances are made up of intricate parts, called steps, with each dance usually consisting of 4 to 6 steps. Highland dancing is great fun and inclusive to anyone who thrills to the sound of bagpipes, not just those with a Scottish heritage.

Highland dancing was traditionally performed by men but is now performed by men and women. It is one of few arenas where men and women compete equally. In most competitions, the number of competing women far exceeds the number of men.

Highland dancing is a healthy workout for adults and for children. It is a great way to develop good coordination, posture and overall muscle tone, not to mention aerobic capacity and strength. One study showed that a half hour of dance was equal to a soccer match.

Ambitious new students develop self-discipline and confidence as they learn to tackle the physical demands and intricate movements of Highland dancing. Indeed, the tremendous strength, stamina, and technical precision that accomplished dancers exhibit on stage comes from years of independent training and collaboration with experienced teachers. In addition to perpetuating a great cultural tradition, Highland dancers appreciate the athletic challenges, competitive goals, and performance opportunities this art form/sport affords them. Another highlight of many dancers' careers is the opportunity to meet and become lifelong friends with other dancers from their home country and from abroad.

There are two styles of Highland dances: the traditional Highland dances and the graceful National dances.