By Craig Freeman

Special to the Record

Robbie Burns, the Bard of Scotland and the Great Chieftain of the puddin鈥�-race, will be honoured at the Robbie Burns Contra Dance on Saturday, Jan. 27 at the tartan-dressed Merville hall.

There, the fiddlers will play for your dancing pleasure while hairy-legged, kilted Scotsmen and Scotswomen swirl about the floor shaking their thistles and spurtles.

Contra dances are similar to square dances and English country dances. No experience is necessary as the caller teaches each dance before it is actually done to the music. The caller then leads the dance while the band plays, so dancers are able to perform each movement to the music.

Most people catch on quickly and soon the hall is full of prancing participants. You don鈥檛 have to come with a partner as dancers can pair up right there on the hardwood floor and you鈥檒l dance with everyone on the floor.

There will be Virginia Reels, the Gay Gordon, waltzes, jigs and schottisches. Tasty helpings of 鈥渉aggis鈥� will be served and we鈥檒l toast the Scottish Bard. You might even win a spot dance or 鈥渂est dressed鈥� prize. Wear your kilt and kick up your heels.

Doors open at 7, dance starts at 7:30 p.m. Cost is $10/adults, $5/youth and you can come as a family for $22. FMI 339-4249. 鈥淟ang may yer lum reek.鈥�