Thank you to all who braved a few snow flakes to come to the Ceilidh dance last Friday. A special thanks to Alison, the band and Bonnie all of whom arrived and nearly outnumbered the dancers. We had enough for 2 sets so we had a great time and those that did not make it – well the roads were clear and next time you will know that a few snowflakes don’t put the Scots off!
Alness
Start planning NOW to attend the next Ceilidh Dance which is the last Friday in March the date is Friday, March 30 (Easter Friday – it is a holiday!) at the Scottish Cultural Centre, 8886 Hudson Street, Vancouver. It is a great way to work off those extra few pounds (kilograms for the younger generation) and a fun evening to boot. I am sure we will get a big crowd, tell your friends to come too. We need a big attendance to make up for February!
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 ceilidh@rscdsvancouver.org; 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 March 30 you have until Wednesday (28th) to contact me with the password and the number in your group.
It is a great way to celebrate the season – and cheap too! Arrange to meet all your friends at the Ceilidh dance rather than have them come to your place. Entertainment, food and drink all on tap!
Glen Etive
If you are a bit wary come along to the Ceilidh dance on Friday, March 30 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 which follows at 8 p.m..
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.
After a successful Love to Dance workshop and dance we went home to ready ourselves for a big adventure – not big for most of you but big for us. Sunday fortunately dawned bright and dry and I loaded up my backpack with a book or two, gloves, headgear and a change of shoes for Margaret – we had sent off a case with my son – and walked the 5 blocks to the bus stop. We took the bus to Bridgeport, changed to the Skytrain and got off at Granville.
It was busy downtown and we had to push our way through to walk down Georgia and down to Melville where we boarded another bus. It was fortunate that we were early as the bus soon filled up and latecomers had little choice of seats. It was an uneventful journey as we could not see through the steamed up windows. We arrived in Whistler and after a wrong turn (or 2) found our way to the coffee shop to wait for our son. He arrived and we all – 6 – piled into their borrowed car for the trip to their rented condo in Nicklaus North. It was very fancy. They had invited Australian friends from Hong Kong over for dinner and we spent a pleasant evening with them.
Of course we don’t ski, so they were off to check the kids into Ski School for 8:30 – 3:30 while David & Sarah went off to the slopes together. We enjoyed a lazy morning then walked in to Whistler to meet them. It is quite a hike and at least half of it on unploughed paths. Nice, but cold, and hard work slogging through the snow.
We had a quiet night and Tuesday was a duplicate of Monday except we had to meet David at the Gondola at 12:15 so an earlier start for us. We repeated the hike through the snow and arrived in time to meet David in the queue. It was a glorious day and the view from the gondola was amazing – we took many pictures but unfortunately our camera somehow got broken so I have removed the card and sent the camera away for repair. On arrival at the peak David hustled us over to the Peak to Peak which was truly out of this world. We were so lucky to make this trip on a cloudless day. Lunch followed and we took the gondola down while David and Sarah skied down. We met the kids and then it was time to catch the bus back home. A wonderful trip, thank you David & Sarah.
Jedburgh countryside
Have you got your tickets for the Heather Ball on March 17? How about the concert the next day. Muriel Johnstone is a renowned musician and there may be a guest joining her. The concert is on March 18 (even though it is listed in the White Cockade as March 19!) and is in Holy Trinity Anglican Church, 1440 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver at 3 p.m. Tickets are only $20 (if bought with a ball ticket you can save $5) and are available at rscdsvancouver.org/home/2018-heater-ball-tickets
Rannoch Moor
The next Ceilidh dance is on Easter Friday, March 30, 2018 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:-
- 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. It is Easter Friday/Good Friday so no excuse. Come with your friends. Hope to see you next March 30.
We really need a big crowd. I had not realized that our rent for the hall had increased so it looks as if the break even will be 70 or thereabouts and then we need to make up the loss for the first 5 ceilidhs of the season. It helps if you spread the word.
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The night sky in Scotland is amazing on a clear night
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Clatteringshaws Loch, Dumfries & Galloway
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The next regular Ceilidh Dance is the 5th FRIDAY of the March – March 30, 2018. – 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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Loch Morlich – broken sheets of ice washed ashore
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Thanks to 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 is open 7 days a week and stock includes haggis imported from Scotland and many of your favourite foods.
Celtic Fashions on E-Bay – go to https://www.CelticFashions.com
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1. The fattest knight at King Arthur’s round table was Sir Cumference. He acquired his size from too much pi.
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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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Elie beach
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2. I thought I saw an eye doctor on an Alaskan island, but it turned out to be an optical Aleutian.
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The next Ceilidh Dance is Friday, March 30, 2018. That will be the sixth one for the season and the third one of 2018. 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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They have been out for some time
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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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3. She was only a whiskey maker, but he loved her still.
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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. Sound on, full screen:
An interesting discussion:
Why one tiny Scottish island is key to every Olympic curling stone – video
> https://www.theguardian.com/sport/video/2018/feb/19/curling-stones-winter-olympics-pyeongchang-scotland-video?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
Skating Olypics
Surprise ending
In China there is a glass bridge with strange sounds and sights for the unwary.
COMING EVENTS IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS: Note – please check the Branch website www.rscdsvancouver.org for and last-minute changes.
| 2018 | |
| Mar 3 | Burnaby Spring dance at Confederation Centre, 4584 Albert Street, Burnaby with music by the Vancouver Fiddle Orchestra at 7:30 pm |
| Mar 3
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Shot of Scotch Vancouver’s 5th Anniversary Ceilidh in the Russian Hall, 600 Campbell Avenue 7:30 – 11-30 p.m. (doors open at 7). Celtic folk band “Blackthorn” and special guests including Vancouver Police Pipe Band, Royal Academy of Bangra & more. Bring your Ceilidh Dance shoes. $25 at ShotofScotchVAN@gmail.com or at the door $30 |
| Mar 11 | Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Hass in Concert – St. James Hall, 3214 West 10th Ave, Vancouver doors 7 pm Show 8 pm $35 |
| Mar 14 | Bellingham social dance – Fairhaven Library |
| Mar 16 | Celt Fest Vancouver Ceilidh featuring “Blackthorn; Shot of Scotch, Eire Born Irish Dance Company, BC Regiment of Irish Pipes & Drums” in the Scottish Culutual Centre, 8886 Hudson Street, Vancouver – between Granville & Oak. Doors at 7 p.m. Tickets $25 at the door or https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/celtcfest-2018-ceilidh-tickets-42374182320?aff=es2 – Ceilidh Dance caller Alison Moen |
| Mar 17 | Heather Ball in the Scottish Cultural Centre with music by Muriel Johnstone, Ian Robertson & Judi Nicholson. Reception 5:45; Supper 6:15 – $80 (+concert $95) – Tickets online at https://rscdsvancouver.org/home/2018-heather-ball-tickets/ |
| Mar 18 | Muriel Johnstone in Concert – 3 pm at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, 1440 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver $20 but with a Ball ticket the combined price is $95 |
| Mar 30 | 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 |
| Apr 6 – 8 | For advanced and Intermediate dances dance at Nikko, Japan with teachers Graham Donald and Yoshiki Oyama. Info: kkonyakatalin@gmail.com |
| Apr 7 | Glenayre Spring dance |
| Apr 11 | Bellingham social dance – Fairhaven Library |
| Apr 21 | Deep Cove Spring dance |
| Apr 21 | St. George’s Day Celebrations, Roundhouse Community Centre |
| Apr 27 | 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 |
| Apr 28 | Vernon Scottish Country Dancers 22nd annual workshop & ceilidh, Paddlewheel Park Hall. Info: kathdin@shaw.ca |
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The next Ceilidh Dance is Friday, March 30th, 2018. 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.
Screen Machine – mobile cinema – en route to Kinlochbervie just before the blizzard.
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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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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.
Rhu near Helensburgh
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, March 30, 2018 (i.e. the last Friday of the month) with live music by Calanaish. This is the third dance of the year and the sixth of the season. We need huge attendance with everyone coming along for a really fun evening.
Loch Tay
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.
Barra airstrip – it is for real! We have checked it out.
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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
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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Traffic congestion near Ullapool
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4. A rubber band pistol was confiscated from algebra class, because it was a weapon of math disruption.
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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 Friday, March 30th, 2018 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 2017/18 season shapes up as follows:
All on Fridays of course and, except for January, it is the last Friday of the Month —
2018
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.)
Glenfinnan Viaduct
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.
https://www.vancouverceilidh.org/wp-admin/link-manager.php
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 377 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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The Falkirk Wheel
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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
Winter sunset on Islay
May your troubles be one, may your blessings be more,
and may nothing but happiness come through your door.
Duncan MacKenzie ceilidh@rscdsvancouver.org