PRAGUE SCOTTISH DANCE WEEK
Dear dancing friends,
Again in 2023, you are cordially invited to our International Dance Course. For more than 30 years, we have been organizing dance courses. The participants of the Scottish course will surely be thrilled to learn that the teacher will be again Ron Wallace, with Gary Thomas on the piano. They can hardly wish for any better tandem. On Saturday August 19 we will take you to North Bohemia to join The Scottish Highland Games, celebrating almost 24 years already. Several thousand fans of Scottish culture are expected to attend the event this year.
This course is for experienced Scottish Country dancers who have mastered the basic formations and steps. The dance lessons will take place in a hall with a wooden floor, which is only a short walking distance from the hotel. We hope that the program for the 2023 cours will meet with your full approval and will entice you to join us in August. We very much look forward to meeting you.
Yours,
Jitka Bonušová and Jan Pumpr
“Prague is a city not to be missed! This trip is a perfect experience for a Scottish country dancer looking for dancing and music plus the Czech cultural experience expertly arranged by Dvorana. Live your dream adventure and join us in Prague!”
Ron loves Scottish dance and music and his proficiency as a teacher has made him welcome at numerous workshops and courses throughout the United States, Canada, Australia and many European venues. This year (2023) marks Ron‘s 53 years as a certificated Scottish country dancing teacher. Apart from Scottish country, Highland, step and Breton Cape dancing, Ron also teaches some Welsh and English dancing „for the variety‘s sake“.
Our Musicians:
During the entire dance week, we will dance to music by great musicians from Dunsmuir Scottish Dancers. Gary Thomas on piano and Lisa Doyle on fiddle. We have cooperated for many years already, and we can promise, you will enjoy their music.
Program draft
Sunday, August 13
Arrival in Prague
18:00 Registration in the hotel lobby
19:30 Opening dinner, relax
Monday, August 14
AM
09:00 – 10:15 Dance class
10:15 – 10:30 Break
10:30 – 11:45 Dance class
PM
12:30 Lunch with the group
02:30 Guided tour in Prague city center
Free time
Dinner on your own
Tuesday, August 15
AM
09:00 – 10:15 Dance class
10:15 – 10:30 Break
10:30 – 11:45 Dance class
PM
12:30 Lunch time on your own
02:00 – 03:00 Dance class
03:00 – 03:15 Break
03:15 – 04:15 Dance class
06:00 Dinner with Czech traditional folklore program
08:00 Optional walk though Prague medieval streets
Wednesday, August 16
AM
09:00 – 10:15 Dance class
10:15 – 10:30 Break
10:30 – 11:45 Dance class
PM
12:30 Lunch time on your own
02:00 Departure for South Bohemia, tour in the open air museum, evening at local farm with common dance. Dinner will be here as well. Return to Prague.
Thursday, August 17
AM
09:00 – 10:15 Dance class
10:15 – 10:30 Break
10:30 – 11:45 Dance class
PM
12:30 Lunch time on your own
02:00 – 03:00 Dance class
03:00 – 03:15 Break
03:15 – 04:15 Dance class
05:00 Departure for Petřín tower
Dinner with the group
Friday, August 18
AM
09:00 – 10:15 Dance class
10:15 – 10:30 Break
10:30 – 11:45 Dance class
PM
12:30 Lunch with the group
02:00 Free time
Evening Ball
Saturday, August 19
AM
09:00 Departure for Highland Games, whole day program
06:00 Departure for Prague
Dinner with the group
Sunday, August 20
AM
departure after breakfast
If you want to see more of the Highland Games, look HERE for the photo gallery.
Directions
For those of you arriving at the Prague airport, we recommend „Fix taxi“ (white cab). You will find it just in front of the arrival hall. We recommend that you not use any other companies. You should not pay more than CZK 800 ($38 or €32) price for group 1-3 people.
If you would prefer to use public transport, take a bus no. 119 to the final stop at Nádraží Veleslavín. Here you will have to change to the Metro underground line A (green line) and alight at the station Náměstí Míru. From this station it is just a short walk to the hotel. You can buy your ticket at the Municipal Transport (MHD) desk in the airport arrival hall. On boarding the bus you have to validate your ticket in the machine inside the vehicle. You will need just one standard ticket costing 40 CZK for the whole journey from the airport to the hotel.
Here at this video you can see a great explanation in English.
Should you need help, just ask a passer-by in the street. Young people in particular speak English and are happy to help.
A month prior to the start of the dance week all participants will receive a letter with further details, including the mobile phone number to call in case of unexpected incidents during your travel to Prague.
Accommodation
HOTEL BERÁNEK *** (Prague)
The hotel is located near the city centre, just a few minutes walk from Wenceslas Square. We have been using this hotel for our visitors for many years. In front of the hotel are both metro and tram stops, with easy connections to central Prague as well as the airport and outlying areas.
All rooms are equipped with free high speed Internet/WiFi, air-conditioning, TV, SAT, telephone, hairdryer, refrigerator and safe.
Meals
Breakfast and one warm meal a day are included in the price. Usually it is dinner, occasionally lunch. Beverages are not included. Vegetarian meals can be arranged on request (see the registration form).
Dress (clothing and shoes)
ATTENTION: No outside walking/street shoes are allowed on the dance floors. Everyone is required to change shoes prior to entering the dance hall. The dance hall have wooden floor and we must be careful to protect it from damage.
No special clothing is required for the dance classes. We recommend that you wear comfortable clothing that does not restrict movement.
Prices (Program and Accommodation)
Price for one person in double room: $1580 / €1580
Price for one person in single room: $1790 / €1790
The price includes:
- Accommodations in a 3 star hotel
- Buffet breakfasts and one warm meal each day
- All dance classes
- An English-speaking guide during the entire dance week
- Admission to all places listed on the itinerary
Tickets for public transportation while in Prague - Professionally-guided tour of Prague
- One day trip to South Bohemia
The price does not include:
- Transportation to and from the Czech Republic
- Individual transfer from and to the airport
- Beverages at meals
(fresh water is available at all meals at no charge)
Registration and payment
Please register no later than June 30, 2023. Inquiries after that date should be made by e-mail at dvorana@dvorana.cz to see if accommodation space is still available.
A deposit of $500 / €500 per person, made payable to JITKA BONUŠOVÁ, is requested upon registration. If you must cancel, the policy is that prior to June 30, your entire deposit will be refunded, less a $50 processing charge. After June 30, deposits will not be refunded. The balance is payable after your arrival during registration in Prague. Confirmation and further details will be sent upon registration.
Payment Options
- Check:
This is the most direct way of paying your deposit, and it has been used by most participants in the past.
Please make the check out to: Jitka Bonušová, Generála Janouška 889/36, 19800 Praha 9, Czech Republic
- Wire Transfer to the Dvorana’s bank:
Bank Account Holder: Jitka Bonušová
Bank Account Number: 1411610297/0100
Bank Name: Komerční banka a.s., Praha 9 Branch, Bryksova 759/60, 198 00 Praha-Černý Most
SWIFT Code: (for international deposits only) KOMBCZPP
IBAN: CZ2301000000001411610297If you prefer to do an electronic transfer, you can transfer the amount from your bank to Dvorana’s bank. In this option, we ask you to cover those additional fees. For overseas dancers the cost could be high.
contact:
Dvorana
Generála Janouška 36
198 00 Praha 9
Phone: +420 – 608 889 304
E-mail: dvorana@dvorana.cz