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New York Tartan Week 2026

Fling Together Collective Dance Team
A collaboration of Shot of Scotch NYC & the Fling Together Dance Company

One Team. Two Squads. More ways to #flingtogether!

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Fling Together x Shot of Scotch NYC are back! We’re joining forces once again to bring a burst of Highland Dancing magic to the vibrant streets of New York City for Tartan Week 2026! Check out some highlights from our past NYC Tartan Week collaborations here.

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Ready to dance with us? We have opportunities for dancers of all levels.

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Dancers aged 13 yrs* and over, from around the world, are invited to apply. The combined team will be composed of FTDT, Shot of Scotch, and guest dancers, and will have a maximum capacity of 60 dancers. FTDT members and mentors will receive priority consideration for positions on Squad 1, but are not guaranteed a spot. Shot of Scotch & FTDT members will receive priority consideration for positions on Squad 2. Squad 2 acceptances will be issued on a rolling basis and applications will remain open until March 1 or until all spots are filled (whichever comes first).

*dancers aged 13-17 must be accompanied by an adult.​​

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Dancers may apply for either Squad 1 or Squad 2. If a dancer applies for Squad 1, and is not selected, they will also be considered for a spot on Squad 2/Squad 1 Reserve.

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Squad 1 Applications Open Nov. 4 - Dec. 22; team announcement Jan. 5

Squad 2 Applications Open Nov. 4 - March 1*; rolling team announcement starting Jan. 5

*Application Deadline for those interested in group lodging is Feb. 1​​​

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Event Overview:

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Location: New York City, NY

Dates: April 9-12, 2026 (time commitment varies for Squads 1 & 2)

Travel & Accommodation: Dancers will be responsible for covering all travel related costs, including flights, accommodation, and meals. Fling Together will try to find affordable group accommodation for dancers who are interested, but dancers will be responsible for covering this cost.

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Schedule:

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  • ​Rehearsals (Squad 1 & 2):​​

    • Squad 1: Thursday, April 9; Time TBC early afternoon​

    • Squad 2: Friday, April 10; Time TBC morning

  • Evening Socials (Squad 1 & 2):

    • Informal evening gathering: Thursday, April 9; Time and location TBC​

    • Ticketed Social Event: Friday, April 10; Time and location TBC

  • Pop-Up Peformances (Squad 1 & 2)

    • Performance opportunities on Friday, April 10

    • Time(s) and location(s) TBC​

  • ASF's Concert at Bryant Park (Squad 1 & 2):

    • Saturday, April 11; Time TBC (before parade)​

    • Fountain Terrace at Bryant Park

  • NYC Tartan Day Parade (Squad 1 & 2)

  • NYC Highland Dance Competition (Optional)

    • Sunday, April 12 @ 9am​

    • Battery Park City School, Manhattan​​

Overview
Event

Not sure which squad to join?  More info below!

Squad 1

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  • Aged 13 years* & over (on April 1st 2026)

  • Premier level dancer - with full kilt outfit

  • Video audition required

  • Must attend 2-3 rehearsals in Feb/March via Zoom

  • Attend in-person rehearsal on Thursday, April 9 (PM)

  • Available to perform Friday, April 10 & Saturday, April 11

    • Arrive for Thursday rehearsal - Depart Sunday

  • Perform Fling Together choreography at performances

  • More complex parade choreography

  • FTDT members will be prioritized

  • Max 30 dancers

Squad 2

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  • Aged 13 years* & over (on April 1st 2026)

  • Any level welcome to apply

  • Short video audition: a set of progressive reel movements (with ending of your choice) into the high cuts and spring points step

  • Attend an in-person rehearsal on Friday, April 10 (AM)

  • Available to perform Friday, April 10 & Saturday, April 11

    • Arrive for Friday rehearsal - Depart Sunday

  • Perform traditional Highland or National dances at performances

  • Less complex parade choreography

  • ​FTDT & Shot of Scotch members will be prioritized

  • Max 30 dancers

Audition & Application Criteria​

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Dancers may apply for either Squad 1 or Squad 2. If a dancer applies for Squad 1, and is not selected, they will also be considered for a spot on Squad 2/Squad 1 Reserve.

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Squad 1 Audition Components: 

  1. Solo Choreography - 2 min max (must be recorded within the past 18 months)

  2. 5 Step Hornpipe - Steps: 2026 Premiership Steps; Music: Hornpipe - Steps 5 Tempo 104

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Audition Instructions: 

  • Dancers may wear practice clothing for their audition. Please nothing too baggy that hinders your ability to dance or our ability to see your technique. Dance shoes must be worn.

  • Dancers should dance their age-appropriate steps for the Hornpipe.

  • Choreography video may be pre-recorded.

  • Videos should be recorded in landscape orientation with dancer fully visible.

  • Upload your audition video to YouTube as an unlisted video

  • Dancers should submit 1 link with all components in the same video.

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Squad 2 Audition Components:

  1. Perform a set of Progressive Reel Movements (with ending of your choice) into the High Cuts and Spring Points step. You may use any appropriate Highland Reel music.

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Audition Instructions:

  • Upload your audition video to YouTube as an unlisted video. Dancers should then submit an Unlisted YouTube Link of their audition video.

  • Dancers may wear practice clothing for their audition. Please nothing too baggy that hinders your ability to dance or our ability to see your technique. Dance Shoes must be worn.

  • Videos should be recorded in landscape orientation with dancer fully visible.

  • Here is an example video of what is being requested.

 

If you have any questions, please email perform@ftcdance.com

Audition
New York City
 “One Team, Two Squads”​
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As part of the SoS/FT 2026 collaboration, FT is managing certain logistical components of the partnership including the application process and administration for the group of dancers previously referred to as “friends” (non SoS dancers invited by SoS to perform with them during Tartan Week).

 

In 2024, FT auditioned and established a team of dancers to increase the number of SoS “friends” participating in the weekend, while SoS also had their own group. To streamline and unify this process, FT has since combined the “friends” groups into one team with two squads, both collectively affiliated with FT and SoS. The squads will require different levels of commitment and skill required to participate. In 2026, we are aiming to have a max of 60 dancers total across both squads.

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