What’s SDCCS (ScotDance Canada Championship Sequence)?
The ScotDance Canada Championship Sequence (SDCCS) is an annual multi-day Highland dance occasion which strikes round Canada annually. SDCCS gives many thrilling competitors and social alternatives for highland dancers!
The spotlight of SDCCS for a lot of dancers is the Canadian Championships (therefore why SDCCS is typically known as “Canadians” or “Nationals”!), however the Sequence additionally gives competitions for dancers who aren’t competing within the Canadian Championships!
This put up consists of all it is advisable to learn about the occasions supplied at SDCCS, how registration works, ideas for getting there and lodging, the right way to greatest expertise the Sequence, and what to anticipate if it’s your first time attending.
Registration is opening for opponents on in March 2025, so we’re providing you with the complete run-down from our skilled educating employees & mother and father who’ve attended SDCCS for MANY years!
Why Highland Dancers Love SDCCS
Every year, tons of of dancers collect in a selected Canadian metropolis for per week of robust competitors, spending time with their dance neighborhood, and attending to take pleasure in the perfect dancing the nation has to supply.
SDCCS hosts the distinguished Canadian Highland Dancing Championships (extra on that under), however the week-long occasion has grown to imply a lot greater than that one competitors.
It’s necessary to notice that this occasion is open to ALL LEVELS! From ages 4 to grownup, Major to Premier, any Highland dancer from around the globe will be capable of discover an occasion to take part in at SDCCS.
After all, the varied competitors occasions are thrilling, however there are a number of occasions distinctive to SDCCS that aren’t to be missed! One among our favorite occasions is the banquet, the place even after lengthy days of laborious work, dancers slip off their heels after dinner and prepare to social gathering. Plus, the choreography occasion showcases a number of the most inventive minds and gifted performers round!
Attending SDCCS is an event that dancers dream about year-round – there’s no different occasion fairly prefer it!
SDCCS Ottawa 2025
This yr, SDCCS will probably be in Ottawa, Ontario, on the Rogers Centre in Ottawa.
The Sequence will probably be July Fifth-Ninth, with occasions taking place every day, in addition to evenings. After giving the occasion schedule, we’ll unpack what every of the occasions imply for dancers.
SDCCS 2025 Ottawa Schedule of Occasions
What are the Totally different Occasions and Competitions at SDCCS 2025?
Let’s unpack the schedule – what do every of the occasions imply? Do you have to register your dancer for it?
Dancer and Skilled Registration (Friday afternoon, all through the week)
Dancers and dance professionals have the chance to register primarily on each the Friday afternoon and the Saturday morning. We suggest leaving period of time on your registration – even with the wonderful variety of volunteers who make SDCCS occur, you must anticipate a little bit of a line up.
Nonetheless, when you can’t be there on Friday or Saturday, don’t fret! You possibly can register any day of the week.
Pin Trade, Pen Pal Meet and Greet, and CPD Session (Friday night)
Every SDCCS features a pin change, the place all individuals are welcome to convey pins that they make or which characterize their province or dance faculty, after which change them with different dancers. This, together with the Pen Pal Meet and Greet, is a good social begin to the week!
The CPD session will probably be knowledgeable growth session open to the various dance academics and judges who will probably be attending SDCCS.
Highlands Day, Pre-Premier Particular Occasion, begin of Premier Particular Occasion (Saturday morning and afternoon)
Who it’s for: Major, Newbie, Novice, Intermediate, Premier
The primary day of competitors gives the chance to bop for all ages and classes, from Major to Premier. With Premier (restricted and non-restricted) occasions within the morning, and Pre-Premier and particular occasions from Newbie, Novice, Intermediate and Premier within the afternoon, there’s one thing for everybody!
If in case you have a dancer age 4, right through to grownup dancers – you’ll be able to and will compete on at the present time! You’ll be blown away by the 9 levels crammed with dancers from all around the world.
Saturday additionally features a Pre-Premier particular occasion, which is a Trophy Fling for Newbie and Novice Dancers
The Premier Particular Occasion for this yr is a solo in honour of Donna Jean Macdonald. Saturday will see the dancers 7 and underneath 16 years dance their solos.
Opening Ceremonies (Saturday Night)
Who it’s for: All dancers, mother and father, and spectators.
Opening ceremonies are the official begin of the occasion, usually that includes a efficiency from native dancers, a parade of provincial representatives, speeches from SDC officers, and a efficiency from a non-Highland dancer (previous examples embrace a comic, a hoop dancer, and lots of others!)
We suggest everybody attends the opening ceremonies, because it’s such an effective way to kick off an thrilling week.
Closed Canadian Championships (Sunday Morning and Afternoon)
Who it’s for: Provincial Representatives (high 3 Premier dancers from every age from every province) ONLY.
Ottawa will probably be internet hosting the annual Canadian Championship occasion, the place provincial representatives for every age group compete for the title of Canadian Champion. Underneath 16s will dance within the morning, and over 16s within the afternoon.
Dancers DO NOT REGISTER THEMSELVES for this occasion. They first need to make the provincial staff (high 3 for his or her age) after which your province will register you.
This fierce competitors gives the chance for dancers who aren’t competing, together with formidable Pre-Premiers, to absorb the greatest dancing Canada has to supply. In case your dancer isn’t competing, we suggest stopping by to see some phenomenal dancing that’s positive to encourage your dancer. This present day additionally gives the chance to discover our lovely capital metropolis!
Searching for extra details about how this occasion works? We’ve got a weblog collection for that!
Canada’s Capital Celebration Banquet and Gala (Sunday Night)
Who it’s for: all dancers, mother and father, spectators, distributors, and extra!
The banquet is among the highlights of the week! Anybody can purchase a ticket to the banquet and revel in dinner, the presentation of the Canadian Championship swords, a dance social gathering, and extra.
Provincial staff representatives in New Brunswick don’t purchase their very own ticket. Whenever you make the staff, our province takes care of this for you! Different provinces – you’ll must test along with your trainer to see how your province manages this.
For all others, you must plan to buy a ticket if you wish to take part on the celebration.
Pre-Premier Competitors and Premier Nationals, PLUS Intermediate and Premier Particular Occasion (Monday Morning and Afternoon)
Who it’s for: Major, Newbie, Novice, Intermediate, Premier
As soon as once more, all dancers have the chance to compete, with Major having a second shot at their competitors dances, Newbie/Novice/Intermediate dancing reel and Nationals, and Premiers (restricted and non-restricted) competing Nationals within the afternoon.
If in case you have a dancer age 4, right through to grownup dancers – you’ll be able to and will compete on at the present time!
This yr, there will probably be an Intermediate and Premier particular occasion Jig taking place after the Premier dancing finishes.
Pre-Premier and Premier Particular Occasions (Monday Night)
Who it’s for: Pre-Premier, Premier
This yr will embrace an thrilling Pre-Premier choreography occasion: Duets in honour of Rosemary Breman. The music has been assigned and all pairs will dance to the identical tune.
The Premier solo occasions will proceed with the 16 and overs.
Pre-Championship and Canadian Open Championship (Tuesday Morning and Afternoon)
Who it’s for: Premier
This present day brings the chance for Premier dancers to compete yet another (or two extra instances). The Open Championship is open to all Premier dancers – not simply Canadian provincial representatives. This implies a chance to compete in opposition to dancers from all around the world!
Plus, the Pre-Championship (open solely to dancers who’ve by no means gained a championship) takes place within the morning. Dancers underneath 12 years should make the selection between competing within the Pre-Champ and Open-Championship, however dancers over 12 years can technically compete in two occasions in at some point!
When you’re debating whether or not to register for the Pre-Champ or the Open Championship, or each, simply remember that this will probably be happening on the finish of 4 lengthy days of dancers pushing their our bodies to the max. Talking from private expertise, doing each is actually potential. “Gratifying” and “painful” are bridges you’ll have to cross later down the road.
If in case you have a Premier dancer who has by no means gained a Championship, we suggest doing the Pre-Championship solely, however you do have the choice to register for the Open as nicely. For these with Premier dancers who HAVE gained a Championship or Pre-Championship, you can’t register for the Pre-Champ; so we suggest doing the Open!
Small Group and Massive Group Choreography (Wednesday Morning and Afternoon)
Who it’s for: Choreography Teams (Pre-Premier and/or Premier)
In comparison with the opposite occasions of the week, the group choreography occasions are very distinctive. Teams spend months creating dances which are thrilling, emotional, and thrilling to look at. The laborious work poured into these dances is actually spectacular!
We extremely suggest staying to look at this occasion, even when you don’t have a dancer competing! You’ll get to see a Highland dancing occasion that may be very completely different than a standard Highland dance competitors.
WATCH BELOW: Saorsa Studio’s Small Group Choreography Teams, which every gained third of their respective age teams in Kamloops, 2024.
Registration for SDCCS 2025
Registration for SDCCS opens in batches, as grouped under:
- Registration for Particular person Occasions – March seventeenth at 1pm EDT.
- Registration for choreography occasions – March thirty first at 1pm EDT.
All registration is dealt with on-line – More information on the SDCCS website.
Word that dancers don’t register themselves for the Closed Canadian Championship or group choreography occasions. These will probably be dealt with by a dance skilled.
The demand for registration has been seen to position pressure on web site servers when registration first opens, so you should definitely method the state of affairs with persistence.
Lodging and Host Lodges for SDCCS 2025
Organizers have secured resort blocks for attendees to guide in at a particular charge all through Ottawa. Take a look at particulars and reserving data here. Many lodges are actually bought out, so when you’re in want of lodging, don’t wait to guide!
Attending SDCCS as a Guardian or Spectator
Ticket Info
Entrance tickets and passes are important for anybody seeking to attend the occasion. We suggest that you just purchase your passes or entry tickets forward of time. They are going to be obtainable on the door, however having the tickets forward of time will take stress off of your shoulders. It’s potential that the venue might hit capability by way of the busier days (usually Highlands day and Nationals day), so chances are you’ll not need to take the possibility.
Tickets and passes are usually bought individually from dancers registration, and usually are available one-day, multi-day, or full occasion codecs.
Extra ticket buy could also be crucial for some attendees to the celebration banquet and gala and opening ceremonies.
Keep tuned to the SDCCS web site and social media for upcoming data on entries!
What to anticipate at SDCCS
Staying Up to date
Remember to observe SDCCS on social media and take a look at their web site for extra data because it turns into obtainable.
See you there!
Guardian Guides to Highland Dance
If studying this opened up some extra questions for you – like What’s a Championship? or What’s restricted versus non-restricted Premier? now we have the guides to highland dance you’ve been ready for!
Take a look at these extra posts for extra background:
