Copyright 2000 Madison Newspapers, Inc. Capital Times (Madison, WI.) January 31, 2000, Monday, ALL EDITIONS SECTION: Local/State, Pg. 2A LENGTH: 707 words HEADLINE: SCOTTISH DANCERS LIVE IN FAST LANE BYLINE: By Karyn Saemann The Capital Times BODY: All over America, televisions were tuned Sunday night to the Super Bowl. But in a narrow anteroom on the third floor of UW-Madison's cavernous Memorial Union, 25 pairs of feet, most strapped into traditional Scottish dancing shoes called ghillies, stepped and hopped to a lively beat that made you forget football entirely. For more than 20 years, local Scottish country dancing enthusiasts have spent Sunday nights at the union, feeding their passion for ''square dancing on steroids,'' as accordionist Michael Briggs characterized the faster-paced movements that left participants breathless after eight sets. There were also slower-paced, stately sets that brought visions of men in kilts and women in gaily colored skirts. Advertised in local newspapers as a free weekly event, the Sunday night dances draw an eclectic crowd ranging in age from 20 to nearly 80. Jessica Czederpiltz, a UW-Madison veterinary student and her husband Dan, a mycologist working on his Ph.D., were among the first-timers. Beginning at 6:30, novices learned the most rudimentary of steps through short, simple dances. From there the pace picked up, until after 9 p.m., when most beginners retreated to the chairs lining the walls, watching in awe the diehards who do this every week. Nancy McClements, a 17-year dance veteran who prides herself in being half Scottish, said her best advice to newcomers -- other than coming early for the free lessons -- is to not watch their feet. ''Just enjoy the music,'' she said. Chuck Snowdon, a UW-Madison psychology professor who helped form the group in 1977 and served as Sunday night's teacher, is also half Scottish. ''Some of us connect with our roots, other people just enjoy it whether they have Scottish connections or not,'' he said. Janice Lacock took up Scottish dancing several years ago in Norway, where her husband was stationed with the U.S. State Department. When it came time to retire, the couple looked for a city where Janice could continue with her fetish and their teenage son could play high school hockey. Madison fit the bill, she said. ''As soon as we got here, I knew I had a family,'' Lacock said. ''The nice thing is you've got people from all walks of life, all kinds of people.'' Martha Phillips, 20, a regular for two years, said she happened across the group's Web site by accident as she trolled one day for Scottish history. A dance novice then -- ''I had never pointed my toes on purpose before'' -- Phillips has since attended Scottish dancing balls in Chicago, Milwaukee, Massachusetts and Canada. When she's not swooshing out of town to attend a ball, Phillips works as an executive assistant for a Madison-based Internet retailer. ''It is so much fun in a variety of different ways,'' Phillips said of the dancing. ''It's energetic, and when it's not very fast it's graceful.'' ''We love new people,'' Phillips added. ''Come -- don't be scared of us.'' Phillips' partner for part of Sunday night's session was at the other end of the age spectrum. Dan Willet, 76, said he discovered the art at age 62, and finds it a nice social event and good exercise. ''It beats the treadmill,'' he said. In recent years, Willet and his wife, Jean, have danced their way through New Zealand, Australia, the San Juan Islands, Texas and have even been to Scotland. ''There's just a great bond between Scottish dancers worldwide,'' Jean Willit said. Donalea Dinsmore got hooked when Briggs' wife, Norma, conducted a folk dance workshop as part of an office party. Norma Briggs also teaches a local children's class on Saturdays. Dinsmore said she would much rather be dancing than glued to a television in a sports bar. ''Even if the Packers had been (in the Super Bowl), this is a lot more fun,'' she said. In addition to Briggs' classes for children, UW-Extension offers adult classes for a fee. The Madison group is also hosting a Valentine's dance party at the Memorial Union on Feb. 13 and will hold its annual ball at the union on April 15. They are affiliated with the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society in Scotland. For information on the group's activities call 835-0914 or visit http://sprott.physics.wisc.edu/mscd/home.htm. GRAPHIC: JOE KOSHOLLEK Above: Scottish country dancers spin to the music Sunday at the Memorial Union. Right: Martha Phillips, 20, dances with 76-year-old Dann Willett, who has been Scottish country dancing for 14 years.