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Enjoy this curated selection of theme-related dances for celebrations and holidays, or find a dance associated with a special calendar day, or EVEN your own birthday!
May 22
Sherlock Holmes Day
The Hound of the Baskervilles
Other Scottish Country Dances for this Day
Today's Musings, History & Folklore
"The world is full of obvious things which nobody by any chance ever observes."
~ The Hound of the Baskervilles, Arthur Conan Doyle, 1902
How true this sentiment is! On the birthday of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of the world’s most famous literary detective, we turn to a Scottish Country Dance inspired by Sherlock Holmes himself. Brilliant, observant, eccentric, and endlessly analytical, Holmes is famed for his razor-sharp deductions, violin playing, disguises, and occasional dramatic flair — all balanced by the loyal companionship and steady good sense of his faithful friend and chronicler, Dr. Watson. Together they have faced everything from jewel thieves to spectral hounds… and now perhaps even the occasional Scottish reel!
One of the most recognized of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes serialized mysteries, The Hound of the Baskervilles has been reinvented in dance form as a 32 bar reel! The dance, devised by Evgeni Salmin, premiered as part of a staged demonstration and, for theatrical effect, includes a choreographed moment in which a spare man appears as the fearsome hound, racing wildly across the “Dartmoor moors” for 8 suitably terrifying bars!
So whether you are dancing as first couple (Mr. Holmes 🔎 ), second couple (Dr. Watson 🔍 ), or third couple (an unfortunate Baskerville 🪦 ), beware the spare man in the set (the Hound 🐾 ) who will be lurking at the side of the set. It’s elementary, my dear dancers!
One of the most famous in the canon of Sherlock Holmes stories, this mystery is set on the misty moorlands of Devonshire and revolves around the legend of a supernatural beast said to haunt the Baskerville family.
In the story itself, Dr. James Mortimer asks Holmes and his loyal friend Dr. Watson to investigate the mysterious death of Sir Charles Baskerville, who is believed to have fallen victim to the ghostly beast. Holmes sends Watson to accompany the new heir, Sir Henry Baskerville, to Baskerville Hall, where strange happenings and ominous warnings abound.
Through careful investigation, Holmes eventually uncovers the truth: the villain is Jack Stapleton, a hidden Baskerville relative who has been using a trained hound to terrify the family in hopes of claiming the Baskerville fortune for himself!
So if you're dancing and hear something howling in the background, observe your surroundings carefully, it may not be simply a bad audio speaker! This would be a perfect program choice for Hallowe'en or Sherlock Holmes Day, or literary mystery program, my dear dancers! 🕺 💃 🖤 🤎 🖤 🐾 🐾 🐾 📚 🔎
The Hound of the Baskervilles
Arthur Conan Doyle, the celebrated author behind the iconic detective Sherlock Holmes, had deep Scottish connections that significantly shaped his life and literary works. Born on May 22, 1859, in Edinburgh, Doyle's Scottish heritage and upbringing profoundly influenced his worldview and storytelling. He attended the University of Edinburgh Medical School, where he studied under Dr. Joseph Bell, a professor renowned for his astute observational skills and methodical approach to diagnosis. Dr. Bell's techniques and demeanor provided the direct inspiration for Sherlock Holmes, whose character embodies sharp deductive reasoning and forensic acumen. The atmospheric and historic city of Edinburgh, with its dark alleys, looming castles, and storied past, served as a rich source of inspiration for the settings and moods of Doyle's stories. Additionally, Doyle's interest in the supernatural, which is evident in some of his lesser-known works, can be traced back to the Scottish folklore and spiritualism he encountered during his youth. His Scottish upbringing also instilled in him a sense of justice and moral integrity, themes that are pervasive throughout his detective stories. These Scottish influences, encompassing education, culture, and environment, played a pivotal role in shaping Doyle's narrative style and the enduring legacy of Sherlock Holmes.
To watch a fabulous production of this story, click the illustration below.
Click the dance cribs or description below to link to a printable version of the dance!
