The Atlanta Branch RSCDS is pleased to once again host our annual Spring Workshop March 6-8, 2026! Located this year in easily accessible and vibrant Cartersville, GA, we are truly excited to offer a packed weekend of dancing with two evening dance programs, a full day of classes on Saturday, and an extra helping of southern charm!
We invite you to come celebrate our Golden Anniversary at a newly secured location, the Aubrey Street Gymnasium. With its fabulous wooden floor, we have plenty of room to spread out while dancing, and enjoy a truly southern Barbeque for lunch. The Branch has prepared a 50th anniversary book with dances written by or for Branch members which will be available for purchase. Our evening programs have been specifically designed to feature dances that span our 50 years and celebrate dancers past and present. Come be a part of our special event! Every dancer will receive a 50th Anniversary commemorative pin as part of their registration.
2026 Teachers and Musicians
Blaine Peet
Blaine began dancing in Norfolk, Virginia, in which class he met his future bride, Denise. He earned his Preliminary Pass in 1997 in Washington, D.C. under the expert guidance of Mel and Ellie Briscoe, and Elaine Brunken. Infused with their enthusiasm and enjoyment of teaching, he went on to earn his Full Certificate at St. Andrews in 2000. Having taught across the US, Canada and Japan, dancing has taken him fully around the globe, continuing to meet old and new friends at workshops, balls and even local classes wherever he travels. He thanks the RSCDS for enabling a dancer to walk through a door, slip on dance shoes, and be warmly welcomed no matter the local language. “We dance because it’s fun!”
Thistle House
Thistle House is a Scottish dance band wired for high voltage. Together since 2001, Thistle House consists of David Knight on fiddle, Dave Wiesler on piano, and Dan Emery on pipes and wooden flute. All three musicians are nationally recognized musicians with over three decades each in the genre, as well as prolific tunesmiths and avid and accomplished Scottish country dancers. The band has two recordings — Thistle House Live! (2013) and one of the two discs on the recent Delaware Valley Gold double-disc recording (2023). Thistle House is guaranteed to pump adrenaline into the most tired feet — especially when the pipes start up!
Sponsorships
The Atlanta Branch would like to extend an invitation to anyone who is interested in helping us continue providing excellence in music and instruction at our Spring Workshop to become a sponsor. We sincerely appreciate all the sponsorships previously received and with your help will continue to provide quality music and instruction. Due to the pandemic, we need your support now more than ever.
Sponsors will be recognized during the workshop:
~~ Bluebell level – $10-$49
~~ Heather level – $50-$99
~~ Thistle level – $100+
Workshop Schedule, Location, & Hotel Details
Workshop Schedule & Location
Friday, 3/6– Aubrey St. Gym- 133 Aubrey St. Cartersville, GA 30120
3:00pm – 6:00pm | Registration at the hotel; late comers can register at the door of the dance
8:00pm – | Welcome Dance
After the dance | Informal “Afters” Party at hotel
Saturday, 3/7– Aubrey St. Gym
8:30am – 9:00am* | Coffee or tea, breakfast at hotel
9:15am – 12:00pm | Morning Session
12:00pm – 1:00pm | Barbeque Lunch
1:15pm – 3:00pm | Afternoon Session
3:15pm – 4:15pm | Ball Walk-Through
Dinner (on your own)
7:30pm | Grand March & Ball
After the dance | “Afters” Party at the Craig/Shire home
Sunday, 3/8
9:00am – 12:00pm | Brunch at the Tumlin Home
*The workshop package includes the Welcome Dance, Saturday classes and the Ball. Scott’s Bar-B-Q for lunch on Saturday is included. Dinner on Saturday is on your own.
Evening Dances
Friday Welcome Dance
| Dance | Set / Size | Devisor / Publication |
|---|---|---|
| Unicoi Unlimited | J32 RR | Catherine Shaw, Atlanta 40th Anniversary |
| The Irish Rover | R8x32 3/4 | James Cosh, 22 SCDs |
| Aging Gracefully | S8x32 3/4 | Carlyn Bromann, RSCDS Book 47 |
| The Cranberry Tart | J8x32 3/4 | Terry Glasspool, 7 Year Itch |
| Atlanta Traffic | R8x32 3/4 | Rebecca Fant, Atlanta 50th Anniversary |
| City of Belfast | S3x32 3/3 | Lucy Mulholland, RSCDS Book 48 |
| A Driving Reel | R3x32 3/Tri | Lizzie Wratten, RSCDS Book 54 |
| Intermission | ||
| St. Michael’s Well | J8x32 3/4 | Blaine Peet |
| The Golden Dogwood | R96 Sq. | Susan Tumlin, Atlanta 50th Anniversary |
| Gypsy Weaver | S8x32 3/4 | Denise Peet, Between the Rivers |
| The Clarsach | J4x32 3/4 | Marilyn Blaschke, Gretchen’s Fancy |
| The Fisherman’s Dancing Daughters | J8x32 3/4 | Denise Peet, Atlanta 50th Anniversary |
| Monymusk | S8x32 3/4 | John Preston (1786), RSCDS Book 11 |
| The Reel of the 51st Division | R8x32 3/4 | Jimmy Atkinson & Peter Oliver, RSCDS Book 13 |
Friday Dance List– 63404
program devised by Susan Tumlin and Cynthia West
Saturday Ball
| Dance | Set / Size | Devisor / Publication |
|---|---|---|
| The Dashing White Sargeant | R32 RR | RSCDS Book 3 |
| Atlanta Fair | J8x32 3/4 | Carol Bell, Atlanta Fare |
| The Glasgow Highlanders | S8x32 2/4 | RSCDS Book 2 |
| The Whiteadder Jig | J8x32 3/4 | Muriel Johnstone, Whiteadder Collection |
| Cauld Kail | M8x32 3/4 | RSCDS Book 9 |
| The Montgomerie’s Rant | R8x32 3/4 | Castle Menzies, RSCDS Book 10 |
| ATL 50 | S8x40 3/4 | Lisa Guest, Atlanta 50th Anniversary |
| The Eightsome Reel | R464 Sq. | RSCDS Book 2 |
| Intermission | ||
| Lady Catherine Brodie’s Reel | J8x32 3/4 | Werner Linz, Atlanta 40th Anniversary |
| Donna’s Dancing Shoes | R8x32 3/4 | Francis Walduck, RSCDS Book 54 |
| Sylvia Full of Grace | S3x32 3/3 | Marshall & Anne McLaughlin, Spring Creek Collection |
| Pelorus Jack | J8x32 3/4 | Barry Skelton, RSCDS Book 41 |
| The Peachtree Reel | R8x32 3/4 | Jimmie Hill, Atlanta 40th Anniversary |
| Linnea’s Strathespey | S8x32 3/4 | Tim Wilson, RSCDS Book 47 |
| Trip to Timber Ridge | R8x32 3/4 | Linda Henderson, RSCDS Book 52 |
Saturday Dance List– 63556
programs devised by Walt Ligon and Yoshi Yukishige with assistance from Rebecca Fant and Sarah Craighead.
Hotel
TRU by Hilton
- 25 Overlook Parkway, Cartersville, Georgia
Standard King – $129.00 per night plus tax
Standard Double Queen – $129.00 per night plus tax
The room block will be held until February 4, 2026, at 11:59 pm.
The hotel is located just off I-75 at Exit 288 and 3.7 miles from workshop location. The hotel offers a hot breakfast, free Wi-Fi, and Eat & Sip Market with snacks and beverages. There are also many restaurants between the hotel and downtown Cartersville.
Along with the usual amenities, the rooms have a mini refrigerator.
About Cartersville
Cartersville, a vacation destination with the charm of a small city, is located between Atlanta and Chattanooga off I-75 and is home to the Booth Western Art Museum, the Tellus Science Museum, and The Savoy Automobile Museum, all affiliated with the Smithsonian Institute. Downtown Cartersville is a great destination for the town’s best restaurants, and a variety of eclectic places to shop. Two performing arts theatres anchor the historic square where the city’s 20,000+ residents gather throughout the year for festivals, farmer’s markets and more. For more information, visit https://visitcartersvillega.org/.
Register Now!
ONLINE PAYMENT AVAILABLE HERE- SELECT PAYMENT AMOUNT FROM DROP DOWN MENU
Cancellation Policy: We hope you won’t have to cancel but if you must, you will receive a 75% refund if you let us know by February 4, 2026.