Fall Frolic 2026
October 30, 31 & November 1
The Albany Class Invites You To Dance!
On October 30, 31 & November 1, 2026: The Albany Class of the Boston Branch is opening our doors for another Fall Frolic – a Scottish Country Dancing workshop & ball weekend! We have an exciting program lined up for the weekend and hope to see each and one of you there!
Music by Terpsichore
We are so fortunate to have the wonderful music of Elke Baker on fiddle and Liz Donaldson on Keys playing for us for the weekend!
Elke Baker’s website
Liz Donaldson’s website
Workshop Teachers
Ellen Ternes
Ellen Ternes dances and teaches in the Washington, DC, area and at workshops, including Pinewoods and Scottish Weekend. She grew up hearing stories about her Scottish grandparents, but she didn’t know about Scottish Country dancing until 1999 — a lucky accident that has led to a teaching certificate, wonderful friendships, and more pleasure than she could have imagined. Her favorite teaching moments are when she see the smiles on dancers’ faces when they “get” something about footwork or a figure. But it’s the fun of Scottish Country dancing, the music, the joy and energy of being together on the dance floor that keeps bringing us back. Every time she dances, Ellen thinks “I am so lucky.”
Charles was introduced to Scottish Country Dancing by his then girlfriend (now his wife). He was hooked after dancing for the entire evening of the Boston Highland Ball having only started Scottish dancing a couple of months earlier. After receiving his teaching certification, he served as the chair of the Teaching and Music Committee of the RSCDS Boston Branch, organizing many workshops to promote dancing, share teaching ideas and cultivate new dance teachers. He now teaches regularly in several classes of the Boston Branch, and has taught workshops in the New England area and beyond. He was a member of the North American team at the Newcastle Festival in 2025, and organized and coached the Boston Branch Team in the North American Festival in 2026. In addition to teaching steps and figures, he likes to encourage dancers to pay attention to the music, interact with fellow dancers, and work together as a team as part of a dance. Besides Scottish dancing, Charles plays fiddle at Scottish and Cape Breton sessions and for local Scottish dance classes.
Charles Liu
Locations
All Friday and Saturday events:
First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany (FUUSA)*
405 Washington Ave
Albany, NY 12206
*Parking available across the street – University at Albany Downtown Campus, 135 Western Ave, Albany, NY 12222 (Hawley Faculty lot at corner of Robin St and Washington Ave)*
Sunday Scottish morning:
The Arts Center of the Capital Region
265 River St
Troy, NY 12180
Sunday English afternoon:
St. John’s Episcopal Church
146 1st St #154
Troy, NY 12180
*Note Sunday event locations are within walking distance of each other.
See Where to Park in Troy *
Weekend Schedule
Friday
(at FUUSA)
Welcome Dance 7:30pm
Saturday
(at FUUSA)
Doors open/register 9:00am
Morning Workshops 9:30am – 12:15pm
Welcome Workshop all together
followed by 2 Levels of Classes:
1) Experienced Social – “Fun dances &
Interesting Figures!” w/ Ellen
2) “Fun”damental Formations & Skills w/ Charles – fun with formations you’ll experience on
tonight’s dance program!
Lunch provided 12:15 – 1:15pm
Afternoon Options 1:15 – 2:45pm:
1) Ball Review w/ Ellen – Walkthroughs w/ some light dancing possible
2) “The Music Will Tell You” workshop w/ Charles – “Dancing in tune with the music makes everything more fun!”
Masquerade Ball 7:00pm
It’s HALLOWEEN!
(Costumes not required, but welcome)
Sunday
at Arts Center of the Capital Region (Troy):
Combined Workshop & Social Dancing 10:00am – 12:00pm
at St. John’s Episcopal Chuch (Troy):
English Country Dancing with Capital English Country Dancers 2:00 – 5:00pm
Fee Schedule
Full Weekend (all events Fri – Sun, including ECD)
- Boston Branch Members (active 2026 – 2027) – $110.00
- Non-Boston Branch Members – $125.00
- Full time student/Young Dancer 30 & under – $65.00
Sunday Only (morning & afternoon) – $20.00
(If you’re not attending the full weekend, but would like to attend Sunday)
*Saturday Ball tickets may be available, but are subject to space availability… Saturday Ball Tickets will be $55 for Boston Branch members, $60 non-Boston Branch members. Register to be added to waiting list & we will let you know if/when they become available*
Need financial assistance? check out SCDEA scholarships!
Where do I stay?
Hospitality is available! We always try to host as many people as we can in our homes … the earlier you let us know the better! Check yes for hospitality on your registration form.
There are small boutique hotels around Washington Park that are very close to FUUSA. Downtown Albany is a short drive or bus ride away (10 min) with numerous hotel options and lots to do and see!