Ceilidh Dance newsletter – 2012/13 #8 –
next Ceilidh Dance – THIS Friday, October 19, 2012
WHERE IS IT?
I am continuing to include these pictures of Scotland that I have been sent without any note as to where they are. Last week’s picture only brought one guess – Glen Sannox on the Isle of Arran. The responder said it was a guess so I cannot label it as such until I receive more definite answers. You can look back at last week’s and most prior newsletters by going to our website at www.vancouverceilidh.org. maybe this week’s picture above will be easier?
Fall has certainly arrived but we who live in SW BC cannot complain as we have had a wonderful “Indian Summer.” We really do need the rain. A dancer from Sechelt said this morning that they were very very short of water and I read that they were having to assist the salmon to get upstream on the Cowichan River as the water level was so low. Certainly we have had to water our garden and flowers by hand as I had turned off and winterized our sprinkler system over 4 weeks ago.
The next Ceilidh Dance is this coming Friday – Friday, October 19. I try and avoid 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. Please pass the word around to all your friends. The best form of advertising is word of mouth.
The annual White Rock, Fall Scottish Country Dance workshop had a good attendance of some 28 dancers for the morning session. I had to leave as I had another commitment so I hope the afternoon session was well attended as well. Maureen always runs a very good class and after some technique we did some interesting and challenging dances.
Next weekend there is the Gleneagles Fall Dance in Christ the Redeemer Church, 595 Keith Road (just east of Taylor Way), West Vancouver 7:30 p.m. – $10.
If anyone has any suggestions or complaints regarding the newsletter please let me know – ceilidh@rscdsvancouver.org ==============================================================
Don’t worry about avoiding temptation. As you grow older, it will avoid you.
– Winston Churchill
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NOT SO LONG AGO: Comments made in the year 1955!
I’m afraid the Volkswagen car is going to open the door to a whole lot of foreign business.
Talisker Bay
The RSCDS have stopped issuing a new book of dances each year but they announced they would maybe issue one for 2013 and asked for devisors to submit dances for consideration. Would you believe there were 320 dances submitted!! Our Branch has been asked to review a few of them and send back our comments. This afternoon a group of local teachers went through some of these dances. One of two were very good, a few did not flow so well and at least one got a definite thumbs down.
My sister-in-law is still visiting but she goes back to Bonnie Scotland on Tuesday. She is a widow so no doubt will find it a bit lonely after having us to talk to for over a month. hopefully she will get involved in some local clubs where she can meet and make new friends but it is a difficult time for her although she is coping ever so much better than she was. Our house will seem very quiet without her too but we are hoping to go and visit her in 2013 – which reminds me I must look up some flights.
“That lowdown scoundrel deserves to be kicked to death by a jackass, and I’m just the one to do it,”
–A congressional candidate in Texas .
Tantallon
COMING EVENTS IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS –
| 2012 | |
| 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 We encourage historic dress and vintage costumes — or simply adorn your formal ball attire with a mask for the Grand March! Imagine the merriment! |
| Oct 27 | Marpole Cultural Festival at the Scottish Cultural Centre. The Branch Demonstration Team will be dancing at 11:30 and the Inverglen Scottish Dancers will be performing at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. The Inverglen Scottish Dancers will also be selling baked goods, scones and shortbread etc. as a fundraiser to help them on their way to Scotland in July 2013. Hope to see you there! The Branch is hoping that other dancers will help to stock a stall with some “Scottish food” for visitors to taste. |
| Oct 28 | Bairns Ball hosted by the Stave Falls Dancers in Pitt Meadows Heritage Hall, 12414 Harris Road, Pitt Meadows from 2 — 4:30 p.m. Everyone welcome, refreshments will be served, come and encourage the children and have a fun afternoon to boot!! Adults $7; non dancing children $3 while all children registered in a Scottish Country Dance class are FREE. Information 604-462-9935 |
| Nov 2 — 4 | San Francisco Branch Asilomar Workshop |
| Nov 10 | Vancouver Fiddle Orchestra Ceilidh in Highland’s United Church. 3255 Edgemont Blvd., North Vancouver. Doors open at 7 p.m. and concert starts at 7:30 p.m. Vancouver Branch Demonstration Team, Audience participation in Ceilidh Dancing plus lots more. This is always a very popular event so get tickets- $15 — early from church 604-980-6071 or from VFO members or, if any left, at the door. www.vancouverfiddleorchestra.ca |
| Nov 10 | Bellingham monthly dance |
| Nov 12 | Lady Aberdeen Tea Dance — 1:30 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 | Inverglen Scottish Dancers Christmas Bazaar at Garden Park Towers on Clearbrook Road in Abbotsford. 11 a.m. — 2 p.m. Dance Performances at: 11:30, 12:30 and 1:30. Baked Goods & Sweets, Crafts and Sewing, Silent Auction and Raffle , Touch and Take and White Elephant round out the tables for this annual fund raising event. Proceeds to the dancers costume fund, workshops and tour to Scotland in July 2013. Please come out and enjoy an old fashioned Christmas Bazaar and have a cup of tea and a scone while watching the dancers perform. |
| 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 |
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 November 9) 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.
Tarbet, Loch Lomond
AMAZING, SIMPLE HOME REMEDIES:
For high blood pressure sufferers ~ simply cut yourself and bleed for a few minutes – remember to use a timer.
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A lesson in irony. ( and it is the same in Canada too!)
The Food Stamp Program, administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is actually proud of the fact it is distributing the greatest amount of free meals and food stamps than ever before in history.
Meanwhile, the National Park Service, administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, asks us to “Please Do Not Feed the Animals.” Their stated reason for the policy is because the animals will grow dependent on handouts, become lazy, get fat, and will not learn how to take care of themselves, and will become completely helpless burdens on society.
This ends today’s lesson.
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Tarbert, Loch Fyne
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.
Tarbert, Harris
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. NOTE: That Andy said in this week’s programme he was going to retire IF he did not receive at least 20 requests before his next programme. Now is your chance to get a Scottish tune, song, recitation played.
Tay Estuary & the Angus coast
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 know a word of letters three. Add two, and fewer there will be
Answer: Few
This week:
I give you a group of three. One is sitting down, and will never get up. The second eats as much as is given to him, yet is always hungry. The third goes away and never returns.
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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 little boy goes to his father and asks ‘Daddy, how was I born?’
The father answers, ‘Well, son, I guess one day you will need to find out anyway!
Your mom and I first got together in a chat room on Yahoo. Then I set up a date via e-mail with your Mom and we met at a cyber-cafe.
We sneaked into a secluded room, and googled each other.
There your mother agreed to a download from my hard drive.
As soon as I was ready to upload, we discovered that neither one of us had used a firewall, and since it was too late to hit the delete button, nine months later a little Pop-Up appeared that said:
Scroll
Down…You’ll love this ….
‘You’ve got Male!
Keep sending jokes, pictures and info you wish to have included. Don’t forget to look at our web pages at www.vancouverceilidh.org
Threave
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 376 subscribers (up 3!) 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 …..!
Thurso
Duncan ceilidh@rscdsvancouver.org