Ceilidh Dance newsletter – 2012/13 #6 – next Ceilidh Dance –
Friday, October 19, 2012
WHERE IS IT?
I am starting a new quiz. I have been sent a number of nice pictures of Scotland but they are not labelled so I cannot give you the location – at least so that I could be 100% certain I have it right. So here is your chance to tell me where this is and the same for the pictures that will follow in the future.
The first Ceilidh Dance last Friday gave us a good start to the season with about 65 dancers, including many first timers, enjoying the reels and jigs played by Calanais. It is wonderful to have “live” music and I am so grateful to all the musicians who come and play. It should be noted that we give them a SMALL honorarium but it is not a quarter of what they should be paid. My thanks to them all. We got through quite a lot of dances and I was pleased to see how well everyone danced in Posties’ Jig. We got a few interested onlookers when the AGM of the Vancouver Branch concluded and 3 or 4 of them joined in. One of the “first timers” was a lovely lass called Dana who came all the way from London, UK. She dances with the London Branch and has been receiving the newsletter for some time. She planned her trip to make sure she was here for one of the Ceilidh dances.
The next Ceilidh Dance is in less than 3 weeks – Friday, October 19. I deliberately keep clear of the weekend before Halloween as from past experience many students opt to go to dress up parties and our attendance suffers. Hopefully this move away from the last Friday of the month wont matter and you will all come in droves to the next dance.
If anyone has any suggestions or complaints regarding the newsletter please let me know – ceilidh@rscdsvancouver.org ==============================================================
I never drink water because of the disgusting things that fish do in it..
– W. C. Fields
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NOT SO LONG AGO: Comments made in the year 1955!
It’s too bad things are so tough nowadays. I see where a few married women are having to work to make ends meet.
Lybster
I am back in beautiful, sunny B.C. after our vacation in PEI which we enjoyed very much. We had a good rest although the long trip home was tiring. We had to change planes in both Ottawa and Toronto and as we did not leave Halifax until nearly 5 p.m. it meant we were up for nearly 24 hours. My sister-in-law who is visiting us from Scotland (Arisaig and Kilbarchan) managed to catch a dreadful cold so he is coughing and spluttering now. Hopefully it will clear up soon so she can better enjoy her visit with us in B.C.
The Welcome Back Dance or Pearl’s Party last night only attracted about 50 dancers. No idea why the attendance was so poor as the music by the Tartan Players was terrific and the programme of dances had a good mix. If the organizers had known so few were coming they could have shut the partition which would have made it feel cosier and maybe even a bit warmer. I hope future dances are better attended.
“I’ve never had major knee surgery on any other part of my body,”
–Winston Bennett, University of Kentucky basketball player.
Lower Largo
COMING EVENTS IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS –
| 2012 | |
| Oct 6 | Bellingham monthly social |
| Oct 6/8 | Banff, Alberta workshop & Ball with teachers Sue Porter, Scotland, Rona Wallace, USA; Marjorie McLaughlin, USA & Simon Scott, BC with music by Laird Brown & the Scottish Accent — www.rscdscalgary.org or contact Ilo Torgerson at 403-273-6579 torgeri@shaw.ca |
| Oct 14 | White Rock fall workshop with Maureen Lyon in Sullivan Hall, 6303 152nd Street, Surrey $10 Advanced class 9:30 a.m. to noon; Intermediate and Beginner dancers 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. To register call or e-mail Laurie 604-944-6678 ljreel@telus.net or Gerda 604-531-4595 gerdab@shaw.ca |
| Oct 19 | Ceilidh Dance at the Scottish Cultural Centre — class at 7 dance 8 — 11 Admission $10 (students $8) |
| Oct 20 | Gleneagles Fall Dance, Christ the Redeemer Church, 595 Keith Road (just east of Taylor Way), West Vancouver 7:30 p.m. – $10 see www.rscdsvancouver.org for programme |
| Oct 20 | Nanaimo Fall TAC Workshop in Pleasant Valley Community Centre, Duomont Road, Nanaimo at 10:30 am Teacher: Evelyn Nixon This workshop is a must for all teachers and prospective teachers. Evelyn Nixon, the teacher for the day, invites you to e-mail her with anything you would like her to address in the workshop. We take the 8:30am ferry from Horseshoe Bay and we will be met at the ferry and taken to the hall. Would you please let Jean Wagstaff — jeedwag@yahoo.ca – know if you intend going and I will notify June McFadden the coordinator of the workshop of the number to be picked up from the ferry. Bring a packed lunch….and don’t forget your shoes and notebook. |
| Oct 26 – 27 | Bellingham workshop and ball with teachers Mary Murray and David Newitt — live music for classes and the ball which will be held at the fabulous Majestic Ballroom — info at andersonmary41@comcast.net Our website for details on the weekend is: www.bellinghamscd.org |
| Nov 2 — 4 | San Francisco Branch Asilomar Workshop |
| Nov 10 | Bellingham monthly dance |
| Nov 12 | Lady Aberdeen Tea Dance — 1 p.m. in the Scottish Cultural Centre, 8886 Hudson Street, Vancouver admission at the door $10 — hosted by the Glenayre Club — a small item to add to the food table would be appreciated see www.rscdsvancouver.org for programme |
| Nov 17 | Barra MacNeils plus many talented local performers in Courtnay — early discounted tickets at www.celtfest.ca |
| Nov 18 | Barra MacNeils plus many talented local performers in Victoria — early discounted tickets at www.celtfest.ca |
| Nov 22 | SFU School of Scottish Studies |
| Nov 24 | Delta Social |
Also note that there is a Step Dance Workshop taught by Ron Wallace on October 20 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Northminster Presbyterian Church, 7706 – 25th Avenue, NW Seattle. For info contact Barbara at b_campbell@dccnet.com
Seattle Branch announces the start of their Challenge Class which are held on the 2nd Friday each month (next one on October 12) in the upper building, Room 7, Phinney Neighbourhood Association, 4532 Phinney Avenue, North Seattle at 7:30 p.m.
See website www.vancouverceilidh.org for a more complete list.
Logie’s Lane, St. Andrew’s
IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER – by Erma Bombeck
(written after she found out she was dying of cancer).
Don’t worry about who doesn’t like you, who has more, or who’s doing what. Instead, let’s cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us.
‘
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
After 35 years of marriage, a husband and wife came for counseling.
When asked what the problem was, the wife went into a passionate, painful tirade listing every problem they had ever had in the years they had been married.
On and on and on: neglect, lack of intimacy, emptiness, loneliness, feeling unloved and unlovable, an entire laundry list of unmet needs she had endured.
Finally, after allowing this for a sufficient length of time, the therapist got up, walked around the desk and after asking the wife to stand, embraced and kissed her passionately as her husband watched with a raised eyebrow.
The woman shut up and quietly sat down as though in a daze.
The therapist turned to the husband and said, ‘this is what your wife needs at least 3 times a week. Can you do this?’
“Well, I can drop her off here on Mondays and Wednesdays, but on Fridays, I fish.”
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Lossiemouth
The next Ceilidh Dance is on Friday, October 19, 2012 – that is NOT 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.
Lumphanan
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 have just started up again. 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:
I am always hungry,
I must always be fed,
The finger I touch,
Will soon turn red
Answer: Red
This week:
Ripped from my mother’s womb,
Beaten and burned,
I become a blood thirsty killer.
What am I?
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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
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The next regular monthly Ceilidh Dance will be held on Friday, October 19, 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 way to work off all the Thanksgiving Dinners! It really is good exercise as the ladies from Children’s Hospital found out last Friday. They thought it was way better than Yoga and said they will tell all their colleagues at the hospital to come to the next dance AND to bring their other friends, spouses, partners, etc. 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 —
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.
A doctor was addressing a large audience in Oxford…
“The material we put into our stomachs should have killed most of us
sitting here, years ago. Red meat is full of steroids and dye. Soft drinks
corrode your stomach lining. Chinese food is loaded with MSG. High
Trans Fat diets can be disastrous and none of us realizes the long-term
harm caused by the germs in our drinking water. But, there is one thing
that is the most dangerous of all and most of us have, or will eat it. Can
anyone here tell me what food it is that causes the most grief and
suffering for years after eating it?”
After several seconds of quiet, a 70-year-old man in the front row raised
his hand, and softly said, “Wedding Cake.”
Keep sending jokes, pictures and info you wish to have included. Don’t forget to look at our web pages at www.vancouverceilidh.org
Luskentyre Beach, Harris
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 373 subscribers (down 1!) 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 class or somewhere nice. Enjoy yourselves – come Scottish Country Dancing – for it is good for your health and you never know you just might …..!
Looking over Loch Enoch to the range O’ the Awfu’ Hand
Duncan ceilidh@rscdsvancouver.org