near Gairloch, Ross
There is a Ceilidh Dance this Friday, November 24 at the Scottish Cultural Centre, 8886 Hudson Street, Vancouver. We will do many of the same dances as at the St. Andrews Ball which was held last night. We hope many of those attending come to the Ceilidh dance. It is not so fancy – informal dress, flat shoes etc. – and you don’t get dinner but it is only $12 and we have lots of fun and good exercise. I am sure we will get a big crowd, tell your friends to come too.
Groups of 8 or more qualify for a $1 discount so long as you warn me in advance. The “leader” chooses a password that the group knows. You tell me the password; I inform those that are collecting the admission and everyone in the group gets admitted for $1 less than the normal rate. For the dance on November 24 you have until Wednesday (22nd) to contact me with the password and the number in your group.
If you are a bit wary come to the Ceilidh dance on Friday, November 24 at 7 p.m. in the Scottish Cultural Centre, 8886 Hudson Street, Vancouver. The class, which is free, will give you an idea of what we do as we teach all the dances the same way at the class and at the dance. I am sure you’ll want to stay and enjoy the dance.
What is a Ceilidh dance? It is informal, easy Scottish Country dancing in a relaxed style for all ages. We teach everything, no experience or partner required just a desire to have fun an ability to move to the wonderful beat of the lively music and to enjoy the company of other like-minded folk.
I was busy with more important things this week and did not get out to the garden often but I still managed to brush up a few more leaves and fill more green bins. Usually we have a saying that all the leaves are down by November 15 but it is later this year.
Near Fintry
A very successful Lady Aberdeen Tea Dance was held on November 11 attended by over 180 dancers. The hall was decorated in the flags of Scotland, the feast at the intermission was amazing and the programme of dances was enjoyed by all. This event is held every Remembrance Day with the proceeds going to an appropriate charity – this year Doctors without Borders. $2,700 was raised and will go to this very worthy cause. Many thanks to the Gleneagles club for organizing and running it this year. Next year the White Rock club take on this task.
It is time to remind you of the Ceilidh dates for this season and in particular the next one this Friday, November 24 at the Scottish Cultural Centre, 8886 Hudson Street, Vancouver with the usual class at 7 pm and the dance following from 8 – 11 pm. Pay at the door – $12 ($10 for students). Tell your friends etc. about the dances, they are lots of fun.
The other dates for this season are:-
- November 24
- January 12
- February 23
- March 30
- April 27
The dances are all held at the Scottish Cultural Centre, 8886 Hudson Street, Vancouver (73rd and Hudson which is between Granville and Oak Streets). They are all held on Friday evenings and where possible the last Friday of each month – the exceptions are December (as we never schedule one) and January. Calanais have been practising and are raring to play for us again and Alison and I are rested and ready so all we need is you! Hope to see you on November 24.
near Kinlochbervie
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River Endrick
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I went to the liquor store Friday afternoon on my bicycle, bought two large bottles of wine and put it in the bicycle basket. As I was about to leave, I thought to myself that if I fell off the bicycle, the bottles would break. So I drank all the wine before I cycled home. It turned out to be a very good decision because I fell off my bicycle seven times on the way home.
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New Lanark
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The next regular Ceilidh Dance is the last FRIDAY of November!! – That is THIS Friday, November 24, 2017 and I sure hope you can come and bring lots of friends.
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I have updated the calendar with known dates at this time – see the Upcoming Events tab.
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Newton near Kylesku towards the Stack of Glencoul
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The “Queensferry Crossing,” Scotland’s latest engineering marvel opened this week. The official opening by Queen Elizabeth will be on Monday, 4th September. The original road bridge that was opened in 1964 will now be used solely for pedestrians, buses, bicycles and commercial vehicles. The bottom picture shows all three bridges – the Forth Railway Bridge constructed in the late-nineteenth century, the Forth Road Bridge built in the mid-twentieth century and the new Queensferry Crossing built in the twenty-first century (while still under construction) – kinda neat! All three bridges span the Firth of Forth estuary at the narrowest point on opposite shores – between the old towns of North and South Queensferry.
You might be surprised to learn that there are no tolls on any Scottish road bridges!
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Thanks to Steve at the Celtic Treasure Chest there is now an online list of all the Celtic societies as well as a calendar of events:
List https://www.celtictreasurechest.com/links/index.php
Calendar https://www.celtictreasurechest.com/celticevents/index.php
The Celtic Treasure Chest on Dunbar – stock up on all your favourite foods.
Celtic Fashions on E-Bay – go to https://www.CelticFashions.com
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Scottish flight
The Scots never hesitate to come to the aid of their fellow men, air passengers, in this case! Shortly after take-off on an outbound evening British Airways flight from Glasgow to Toronto, the lead flight attendant nervously made the following painful announcement in her lovely Scottish brogue: “Ladies and gentlemen, I’m so very sorry, but it appears that there has been a terrible mix-up by our catering service. I don’t know how this has happened, but we have 360 passengers on board, and unfortunately, we received only 300 dinner meals. I truly apologize for this mistake and inconvenience.”
When the muttering of the Scots passengers had died down, she continued, “Anyone who is kind enough to give up their meal so that someone else can eat, will receive free and unlimited drinks for the duration of our 10-hour flight.
Her next announcement came about 2 hours later: “If anyone is hungry, we still have 300 dinners available.”
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The Scottish Cultural Centre is a pretty unique and wonderful asset and space is available for rent to anyone or any group. The Centre does not run itself but is actually run by the United Scottish Cultural Society (USCS). Memberships in this Society are for individuals only and presently cost $10 annually. Membership Application Forms may be obtained either at the Centre or on the USCS website – www.scottishculturalcentre.com . The cost is only $10.
Any person may join USCS and Scottish Country & Ceilidh Dancers are encouraged to show their support by doing so. If any USCS member would like to be more involved, then, Darryl Carracher, the Manager at the Centre, will be pleased to give you further information.
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Newtonmore
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The next Ceilidh Dance is this Friday, November 24, 2017. That will be the third one for the season and the seventh and last one of 2017. There is lots of time for you all to get yourselves and your friends organized to come along for another fun, filled evening. Come and dance, it is lots of fun and really easy. Everything is taught from scratch – you won’t be the only newbie!
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The Wooden Bowl
I guarantee you will remember the tale of the Wooden Bowl tomorrow, a week from now, a month from now, a year from now.
A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year old grandson. The old man’s hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered. The family ate together at the table. But the elderly grandfather’s shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth.
The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess. “We must do something about father,” said the son. “I’ve had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor.”
So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There, Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner. Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl! When the family glanced in Grandfather’s direction, sometime he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food.
The four-year-old watched it all in silence. One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, “What are you making?” Just as sweetly, the boy responded, “Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food in when I grow up.” The four-year-old smiled and went back to work.
The words so struck the parents so that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks . Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done.
That evening the husband took Grandfather’s hand and gently led him back to the family table. For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.
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Michelle has very kindly made up a Facebook event page for the Ceilidh but you need to “Search for Vancouver Ceilidh on Facebook and “Like” us to receive updates on upcoming Ceilidhs and other events”. Then, if you “Like” the Vancouver Ceilidh FB page (do as described above), you too will receive updates AND be able to share those updates and events on your personal Facebook page to your friends and ask that they “Like” and “Share”, etc. Ceilidh Dances are great ways to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries etc. Invite all your friends to come and join you at the Ceilidh. You are welcome to bring your own cake and we’ll even sing for you!!
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God Love the Scots!
Bono, the self-righteous lead singer of the band U2, was playing a U2 concert in Glasgow, when he asked the audience for total quiet. In the silence, he started to slowly clap his hands, once every few seconds.
Holding the audience in total silence, he said into the microphone, “Everytime I clap my hands, a child in Africa dies.”
A voice with a broad Scottish accent, from near the front of the crowd, pierced the silence .
“Well, fookin stop doin it then!”
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You can join the e-mail list of the SFU Scottish and Celtic Society; the club connecting you to all things Scottish and Celtic at SFU and the community. As members of this mailing list, you will receive updates on events and learning opportunities. All are welcome to participate and enjoy. Facebook Group: As of today, our new Facebook Group is launched and available to join. It is an ‘Open’ group. Anyone can join and invite their friends. We will create Facebook ‘Events’ for all our occasions. Join today at this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/451447541666799/
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Some fun and interesting sites: – note if you have a link to something you think others will enjoy send me the link.
A wee bit of God’s music!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=av5-cHpbXqQ*
COMING EVENTS N THE NEXT FEW WEEKS: Note – please check the Branch website www.rscdsvancouver.org for and last-minute changes.
| 2017 | |
| Nov 24 | Ceilidh Dance at the Scottish Cultural Centre, 8886 Hudson Street, Vancouver – no partner or experience required – live music with Calanais – refreshments available – class from 7 – 8 p.m. followed by dance from 8 – 11 p.m. – all dances walked, talked and called – admission at the door $12 (students $10 |
| Nov 25 | Delta Borderers Fall Tea Dance – 3 p.m. at the Kinsmen Centre, 5410 – 10th Avenue, Tsawwassen – $15 |
| Nov 28 | Fort Langley St. Andrew’s Dance 7:30 pm 9167 Glover Road Fort Langley with music by Mary Ross |
| Dec 9 | Inverglen Scottish Dancers present a Christmas in Kerrisdale. Performance of: Highland, Step and Scottish Dancing, singing in Gaelic. A great way to start off the Christmas Season. 2:00 p.m. Free Admission. Seniors Centre of the Kerrisdale Community Centre. |
| Dec 10 | Gleneagles Annual Ball, Pacific Ballroom, Fairmont Hotel Vancouver at 1;30 p.m. Delicious lunch, dance to the fine music of the Vancouver Fiddle Orchestra and end with a super dessert. Tickets $125 from Gillian 778-279-3995 |
| Dec 11 | Branch Christmas Ceilidh Scottish Cultural Centre 7 pm |
| Dec 12 | Glenayre Christmas Dance 7:30 pm St Laurence Church Hall, 837 St Laurence St Coquitlam – $12 |
| Dec 13 | Bellingham social dance – Fairhaven Library |
| Dec 28 | Betwixt & Between dance 7:30 pm at the Scottish Cultural Centre with music by Mary Ross – RSCDS members Free – Non-members $15 |
| Dec 28 – Jan 5 | New Zealand Summer School in Masterton, Wairarapa, North Island. For info contact Elaine Laidlaw at elaine@laidlaw.net.nz |
| 2018 | |
| Jan 10 | Bellingham social dance – Fairhaven Library |
| Jan 12 | Ceilidh Dance at the Scottish Cultural Centre, 8886 Hudson Street, Vancouver – no partner or experience required – live music with Calanais – refreshments available – class from 7 – 8 p.m. followed by dance from 8 – 11 p.m. – all dances walked, talked and called – admission at the door $12 (students $10 |
| Jan 13 | Nanaimo New Year’s Ball |
| Jan 20 | Branch Burns Supper, Scottish Cultural Centre – Bar 6 pm; Diner 7 pm – $60 music by the Tartan Players |
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The next Ceilidh Dance is THIS Friday, November 24th, 2017. Same time, same place, same price, same amount of fun and entertainment. Now it is up to you all to help by planning on coming along and bringing loads of friends, family, acquaintances, etc. Please do your best to spread the word. Let me know if you would like a poster to put up.
Near Bridge of Balgie
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What a great gift this newsletter would make (and it is free!!) Please pass along the website to your friends and ask them to subscribe. www.vancouverceilidh.org
Please keep opening the newsletter!! Any and all comments and suggestions are welcome.
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fi yuo cna raed tihs, yuo hvae a sgtrane mnid too
Cna yuo raed tihs? Olny 55% of plepoe can.
i cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno’t mtaetr in what oerdr the ltteres in a wrod are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whotuit a pboerlm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Azanmig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt!
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If anyone has any suggestions or complaints regarding the newsletter, please let me know – ceilidh@rscdsvancouver.org Please do not complain to your server that this is junk mail. There is a link on the e-mail should you wish to unsubscribe.
Old Man of Storr
Come Scottish Country Dancing – it is lots of fun. Just ask anyone who came along to the Dancing in the Park. We had great audience participation so I hope you will all come along and join one of our great classes or at least come to one of the Ceilidh Dances.
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The next Ceilidh Dance is Friday, November 24, 2017 (i.e. the last Friday of the month) with live music by Calanaish. This is the seventh and last dance of the year and the third of the new season. We need huge attendance with everyone coming along for a really fun evening.
Pettycur harbour
You still have time to spread the word about all the Ceilidh Dances as that is the best (and cheapest) form of advertising. It is great exercise and fun, for all ages, too. Here is a link where you can watch a short video of a Ceilidh Dance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MvUwZnY9Ms and here is a link to the Facebook advert: https://www.facebook.com/events/597360563665264/597360566998597/ The format for all of the regular monthly Ceilidh Dances will be the same with the class from 7 – 8 p.m. and the dance from 8 – 11 p.m. and all dances will be walked and talked through.
They are all held at the Scottish Cultural Centre, 8886 Hudson Street, Vancouver. The price is only – $12 or $10 for students which, for what you get is a super bargain – everyone is welcome. No partner is required and you should wear FLAT, comfy shoes and loose clothing. Children are also welcome but should be prepared to dance with other people as some of the dances require a change of partner. Don’t forget to bring a few extra $$$$ to help defray the cost of the refreshments which are otherwise free.
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The Branch has opened a Facebook Page at “RSCDS-Vancouver” – check it out there are some good pictures etc. www.facebook.com/rscdsvancouver. There is a link on both our website www.vancouverceilidh.org and the Branch website www.rscdsvancouver.org
Plockton
Scottish Country Dance (SCD) classes are in full session so plan to join a local class or one that suits your schedule. Check out the class locations and come along – see the “Classes” tab.
Come to a class – You will be made very welcome. Many classes have a policy that the first night is FREE! Plan to come along to try out a class. There are classes all around and on different nights so GIVE IT A GO! Go to either www.rscdsvancouver.org or www,vancouverceilidh.org for a list of class locations and times.
For those who don’t know SCD is a fabulous pastime (much better and lots more fun than golf!!) and is super exercise for body and mind. SCD is, naturally, rooted in Scotland but there are groups in almost every country so you can learn here and then dance with other groups when you vacation or travel. SCD is not to be confused with Highland Dancing which is more solo dancing. SCD is usually done with a partner in groups or sets however you do not need to come with a partner. It is more akin to Square Dancing.
It takes a year or two of classes, workshops, etc. to learn the basics then you can hone your skills in advanced classes. You start by learning the steps and formations. Dances (of which there are over 13,000) are made up of these formations so a good grounding will give you the ability to learn a new dance fairly quickly. SCD has its HQ in Scotland and is known as the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society (RSCDS) and there is a Vancouver Branch of the RSCDS under which there are many clubs throughout the Province (there is also a Branch in Seattle).
There are a great many classes and the ones in the Vancouver area are listed on the website. Come along – check us out – the first night is usually free and thereafter it will average about $6 a night and that’s for a 2 hour class! You will find many friendly people who will be eager to help you and welcome you to their club. You never know you actually might like it!! Check the list of classes at either at www.vancouverceilidh.org or www.rscdsvancouver.org. Note that the latter website has the latest updates to temporary changes to times and locations.
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as well there are classes all up and down Vancouver Island, a number of the Gulf Islands, the Cariboo, Okanagan, Sunshine Coast, etc. etc. and there are various groups all over this great Province, Country, World and who knows where else! Check the Branch website for all these details – www.rscdsvancouver.org
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Portknockie Harbour
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For upcoming events see www.vancouverceilidh.org and www.rscdsvancouver.org.
Other announcements etc:
Seattle Branch
– info at www.rscds-seattle.org ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next regular monthly Ceilidh Dance will be held THIS Friday, November 24th, 2017 in the Scottish Cultural Centre, 8886 Hudson Street, (73rd & Hudson which is between Oak & Granville), Vancouver,
We need everyone to help us get as many new comers (as well as former Ceilidh Dancers) as possible to come and join us. The Ceilidh Dances are a great way to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, etc. Invite all your friends along. Contact me if you will have a group of 8 or more and we can give them a discount!!!
We Really NEED YOUR HELP to advertise the Ceilidh Dances!!!! It only costs $12 ($10 for students) – it is worth so much more in fun, exercise and camaraderie. Use any access to free adverts etc. You can also use things like the YouTube link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bh2HV3OPBgw or the Face-book page https://www.facebook.com/p.php?i=116203315&k=Z5C5Y4TZPT6G6BD1PKZZTWQQQ6BAW26L34AV&oid=164741310207760 https://www.facebook.com/events/597360563665264/597360566998597/
Suggestions to improve our advertising are always welcome. Don’t forget to tell them about the website www.vancouverceilidh.org and get them to “subscribe” to the newsletter.
Most of you have been to at least one Ceilidh Dance so you know how it goes. You don’t need a partner; you don’t need any experience; you should wear FLAT soft soled shoes; we walk, talk, and call every dance and you should come to have fun and have a good evening of exercise and entertainment and maybe even to learn!
There is a FREE class from 7 – 8 p.m. and the dance from 8 – 11 p.m. with music by Calanais. Remember to bring some extra cash so you can make a donation towards the cost of the refreshments. Without these donations we will have to increase the price of admission again!!
The schedule for the 2016/17 season shapes up as follows:
All on Fridays of course and, except for January, it is the last Friday of the Month —
2017
November 24
2018
January 12
February 23
March 30
April 27
Come along and get some great exercise while also having lots of fun. We hope to have lots of new Ceilidh dancers. Remember to bring your smiles and wear flat shoes.
Please do your best to assist us in letting as many people know as possible. Use Face-book, e-mail, telephone or even word of mouth and tell everyone you know what a fun night it is.
We would like to attract more young adults and students from Universities and all the colleges. Somehow we have to get word out to these students etc. Please do all you can to help us. Come one, come all to the same place (Scottish Cultural Centre, 8886 Hudson Street, Vancouver) and the same time (7 p.m. for the class and 8 – 11 p.m. for the dance) and the same amazing price ($12 or $10 for students.)
Portobello
You should check the website – www.vancouverceilidh.org – from time to time as you can find various pages listing “Ceilidhs and Events;” Classes:” Duncan’s List;” etc. On these pages you can check all the upcoming events, where all the classes are located, times, etc. and some places to find Scottish things or some local trades, etc. I will continue to highlight the more current events in each week’s newsletter but, as stated, the calendar of all events will be available on the website.
You should also have a look at the Vancouver Branch website from time to time – www.rscdsvancouver.org – as there is always useful information on it and it is a very good-looking site.
If you have any questions regarding the Ceilidh Dances send them to me at ceilidh@rscdsvancouver.org Please check the website – www.rscdsvancouver.org for updates, pictures and news.
Dance – it is good for your health.
Keep sending jokes, pictures and info you wish to have included. Don’t forget to look at our web pages at www.vancouverceilidh.org If you know of anyone who would like to be on the mailing list please send them the web address – www.vancouverceilidh.org and ask them to subscribe.
If anyone has good pictures from the Ceilidh Dances please send them to me so I can put them on the web page. If you have any announcements please send them to me preferably in Word; Times New Roman 12pt format with a layout similar to the one used in this newsletter. I occasionally hear of an event somewhere in our beautiful Province, on the Island or in the Interior, but don’t know all the details.
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This newsletter reaches out to some 373 subscribers from all over the Province, Country and to many other countries as well, so please send me the details of your event and I will only be too happy to include them.
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Queen’s Park, Glasgow
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Enjoy yourselves – come Scottish Country Dancing – for it is good for your health and you never know you just might …..!
See Coming Events on the website for info – www.vancouverceilidh.org
May your troubles be one, may your blessings be more,
and may nothing but happiness come through your door.
Duncan MacKenzie ceilidh@rscdsvancouver.org