Ceilidh Dance newsletter – next Ceilidh Dance – Friday, September 28, 2012
Summer Isles
Welcome to another season of Ceilidh and Scottish Country dancing. It seems to have been a very short summer although we managed to cram a lot into it. After the annual summer explosion in population at our house everything is far too quiet now. The peace and quiet was nice for the first day or so after the last of our family left on Monday but now I am lonely and missing them all. I always find goodbyes hard – Shakespeare wrote “Parting is such sweet sorrow, That I shall say good night till it be morrow.”
Enough of this maudling talk, a new dance year is about to begin!! And it starts with a bank on Saturday, September 1 with the Fall Frolic in the West End Community Centre, 870 Denman Street at 7:30 p.m. with music by Ken Nattrass and Ron Krug from Winnipeg. There is parking available – please enter off Denman Street – and there will be folk out on the street to direct you – listen for the music and watch for the flags. Admission is $15 but don’t forget to bring a few extra bawbees to buy some raffle tickets with the top prize being a painting by Lone Tratt. Hope to see many of you there.
I received a note from Anita in Victoria asking if we knew of available space for a student going to SFU. Contact Anita at amathur@telus.net for details
Mon. Sept. 3 — PNE Festival Neighborhood Stage – Vancouver.
Sat. Sept. 08 — Meadowridge School Fall Fair — Maple Ridge
Sat. Sept. 15 — Campbell Valley Regional Park — Langley
Sun. Sept. 30 — Sunrise Living — Vancouver.
For more information on classes or performances: inverglendance@shaw.ca. Sandra Crosby
If anyone has any suggestions or complaints regarding the newsletter please let me know – ceilidh@rscdsvancouver.org ==============================================================
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four essential food groups: alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
– Alex Levine
Dancing in the Park was another great success although two nights had to be cancelled due to inclement weather. Hopefully we have managed to recruit a few more dancers to come along and take up this wonderfully enjoyable pasttime.
Check out the list of events on the web page – www.vancouverceilidh.org
NOT SO LONG AGO: Comments made in the year 1955!
When I first started driving, who would have thought gas would someday cost 25 cents a gallon. Guess we’d be better off leaving the car in the garage.
Strathy Beach, Thurso
What a wonderful time we have had with all 8 grandchildren together for the first time in nearly 6 years. They range from 18 – 2 years old and despite some of them never having met each other they all got on very well with the little ones adoring their bigger cousins. It was nice too to have all 4 of our children together and we, or rather one of my daughters-in-law, took the opportunity to arrange for a photographer to come and take some family pictures. Now Margaret has a hard time choosing which of the many pictures he took we should get for ourselves.
The London, UK ones had an upsetting start to their holiday as 10 minutes after we got home the youngest (4) somehow managed to fall off the trampoline and break her arm so it was off to Emergency at Peace Arch Hospital for the parents while the 6 year old (soon to be 7) had to stay with the rest of us. This family branch still managed a camping trip up to Bella Coola and ferry over to the Island stopping off in Whistler to get a pink waterproof cast on the arm as that was not available at Peace Arch.
All, except the 18 year old, took part in the Crescent Beach Swimming Clubs activities which apart from swimming includes tennis, sailing, beach volleyball, waterpolo and a host of other events such as sandcastle competition, bullhead fishing derbies, bingo, dances for all ages and even a parents night out which had an 80’s theme this year. With some down at the pool before 8, some off at swim meets or waterpolo games, some with tennis, some with sailing it was hard to know who was coming and who was going. We mostly left it to the parents to look after their own kids and also to feed them but it seemed as if someone was always eating and some days our fridge and pantry would be bare while on other days there was no room as there were bits of this and that being saved while new stuff was being brought in. We are slowly getting the house back into some sort of order. The number of towels we have and had to wash is amazing. Our washer and drier were really tested and seemed to be on 24/7.
Check out the BC Highland Games website at www.bchighlandgames.com
Children Are Quick
TEACHER: George Washington not only chopped down his father’s cherry tree, but also admitted it. Now, Louie, do you know why his father didn’t punish him?
LOUIS: Because George still had the axe in his hand….
Strue & Meikle Ferry from Cromarty Bridge
COMING EVENTS IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS –
| 2012 | |
| Sep 1 | West End SCDC are proud to present the second annual “Fall Frolic” with music by Ken Nattrass and Ron Krug from Winnipeg . 7:30 p.m. in the West End Community Centre, 870 Denman Street, Vancouver (parking entrance off Denman) — Admission $15 — see www.rscdsvancouver.org for programme. Note that a donation of a plate of food would be very much appreciated |
| Sep 3-14 | Most Scottish Country Dance classes will resume — check out list of class locations under “classes” and go to www.rscdsvancouver.org to check on locations, start times, etc. |
| Sep 7 -14 | A Scottish Country Dance Holiday to Minorca at the 4* S’Algar Hotel. You can look it up on www.inspiration-holidays.com please see link. The class will be for mixed abilities but we are there to have fun and enjoy our dancing also to have a few useful tips about taking photographs by Mr Philip Dunn a professional photographer.If you would like more information, it can be found on the Inspiration Holiday website (as above) or please contact us by email or just give us a call – we would love to hear from you.Philip & Norene Dunn 01557 331343Moira & Keith Stacey 01557 339308 |
| Sep 10 | Vancouver Branch class registration and social — Scottish Cultural Centre, 8886 Hudson Street, Vancouver 7:30 p.m. no charge |
| Sep 12 | Programme class starts and continues every Wednesday night at 7:30 — 9:30 p.m. in the Scottish Cultural Centre, 8886 Hudson Street, Vancouver – $6 drop in — a variety of teachers with dances for upcoming socials etc |
| Sep 14 — 16 | Seattle Branch annual Fort Worden Workshop and Ball — info at www.rscds-seattle.org |
| Sep 28 | Ceilidh Dance at the Scottish Cultural Centre — class at 7 dance 8 — 11 Admission $10 (students $8) |
| Sep 28 | Vancouver Branch RSCDS Annual General Meeting, Scottish Cultural Centre, 8886 Hudson Street, Vancouver at 7:00 p.m. This is your chance to have your say and to vote in the new Board. |
| Sep 29 | Pearl’s Welcome Back Social- 7:30 p.m. in the Scottish Cultural Centre, 8886 Hudson Street, Vancouver with music by the Tartan Players — tickets $15 at the door — an easy programme which you can find on the Branch website at www.rscdsvancouver.org |
| Sep 29 — 30 | Saskatchewan Branch workshop, banquet and ball with Irene Paterson and Fred Demarse and musicians Ken Nattrass and Ron Krug — info at www.rscdssask.org |
See website www.vancouverceilidh.org for a more complete list.
Sunrise over the Cuillins
IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER – by Erma Bombeck
(written after she found out she was dying of cancer).
I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Honey and Cinnamon
Weekly World News, a magazine in Canada, in its issue dated 17 January, 1995 has given the following list of diseases that can be cured by honey and cinnamon as researched by western scientists:
FATIGUE:
Recent studies have shown that the sugar content of honey is more helpful rather than being detrimental to the strength of the body. Senior citizens, who take honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts, are more alert and flexible. Dr. Milton, who has done research, says that a half tablespoon of honey taken in a glass of water and sprinkled with cinnamon powder, taken daily after brushing and in the afternoon at about 3:00 P.M. when the vitality of the body starts to decrease, increases the vitality of the body within a week.
BAD BREATH:
People of South America, first thing in the morning, gargle with one teaspoon of honey and cinnamon powder mixed in hot water, so their breath stays fresh throughout the day.
Ed Note: that was quite a list – if you need to review them all again send me an e-mail
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Sunset – Loch Crinan
The next Ceilidh Dance is on Friday, September 28, 2012 – that is the last Friday of the month.
Please help spread the word about all the Ceilidh Dances as that is the best (and cheapest) form of advertising. Here is a link where you can watch a short video of a Ceilidh Dance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MvUwZnY9Ms
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. The price is only – $10 or $8 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.
For those who enjoy listening to Scottish music, song, banter etc. try www.andysceilidh.co.uk/ this is a radio programme that you can get sent to you and listen any time you want.
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
It really is never too late to come along and join in one of many Scottish Country Dance (SCD) classes and SEPTEMBER is a great time to do it as all the classes will start up again during the first two weeks. 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 next week. 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 which 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 get the basics learnt 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 also are Branches in Victoria and Seattle). There are a great many classes and the ones in the Vancouver area are listed below. 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
as well there are classes all up and down Vancouver Island, a number of the Gulf Islands, the Cariboo, Okanagan, 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
Also the Inverary Step Dance class on Wednesdays in the French School, 1555 West 7th Ave., Vancouver- info b_campbell@dccnet.com
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Riddles (answer next week)
Last week:
The more you have of it, the less you see. What is it?
Answer: Darkness
This week:
What has a head, a tail, is brown, and has no legs?
===========================================================
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 on Friday, September 28, 2012 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.
WE Really NEED YOUR HELP to advertise the Ceilidh Dances!!!! What a nice thoughtful gift it could be if you gave your friends admission to the Ceilidh Dance. They don’t need to know it only costs $10 – 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 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.
The cost is still the amazingly low price of $10 or $8 for students and we provide refreshments although we do ask for your donations towards their cost. We always need your support both by coming along and by helping us to advertise these dances by whatever means you use to communicate with your friends be it e-mail, Face-Book, Twitter, Text or even telephone! 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 on 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 2012/13 season shapes up as follows:
All on Fridays of course —
September 28
October 19
November 30
2013
January 4
February 1
February 22
March 22
April 26
Come along and get some great exercise while also having lots of fun. We are still working on improving the strength of the smile muscles as well as the bows and curtsies! 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 need to attract students from UBC, SFU and all the other colleges and universities. Somehow we have to get word out to these students. 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 ($10 or $8 for students.)
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.
VIRUS WARNING
A VIRUS is going round called
HOUSEWORK!!!!
If you feel the need to start housework.
Stop immediately.
This virus wipes out your social life.
If you should come in contact
with housework go straight
to the nearest store &
buy the only known antidote
which is called CHOCOLATE.
Please forward this warning immediately
to a least 6 friends.
If you realize you do not have 6 friends
you are already infected.
Keep sending jokes, pictures and info you wish to have included. Don’t forget to look at our web pages at www.vancouverceilidh.org
Scremerston Beach Berwick on Tweed
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. This newsletter reaches out to some 370 subscribers (up 2!) 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. Note- I normally compose the newsletters on Sundays.
Thanks hope to see you at the Fall Frolic at class or somewhere nice. Enjoy yourselves – come Scottish Country Dancing – for it is good for your health and you never know you just might …..!
Suilvenbed
Duncan ceilidh@rscdsvancouver.org