Ceilidh Dance newsletter – 2012/13 #10 –
next Ceilidh Dance – Friday, November 30, 2012
I am continuing to include these pictures of Scotland that I have been sent without any note as to where they are. Once again, much to my surprise. last week’s picture brought absolutely no responses so I don’t know if that means no one reads the newsletter or you are all too lazy to respond or no one knew the answer. You can look back at last week’s and most prior newsletters by going to our website at www.vancouverceilidh.org. I am positive this week’s picture above should be easier?
The readership of, or at least the number of subscribers to, this newsletter has gone up to 378 which is the highest number since we moved to the current system. There used to be many more but, I am sure, those now on the list are the creme de la creme. Please pass along the website to your friends and maybe they will subscribe – www.vancouverceilidh.org
The Branch Demonstration Team performed yesterday at the “So You Think You Can Dance” festival jointly hosted by the Taiwanese Canadian Cultural Society and the United Scottish Cultural Society. These two societies’ properties are separated by the lane so are very close neighbours. The festival celebrated all the many forms of dance taught in the Marpole, South Vancouver area and included, apart from the RSCDS Team, Breakdance, Hip Hop, Filipino, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Tap, Japanese, Ballet, World Rhythm, Ballroom, Belly, Indian as well as the Inverglen Scottish Dancers and, of course, Taiwanese.
The event was free and there was different national foods available. There was a good number present for the opening ceremonies and the Dem Team’s performance which ended with the audience participating in a progressive Gay Gordons. Unfortunately I could not stay as I had a memorial service to attend but the line up of dance groups looked impressive and I am sure it would have attracted even more people. The Taiwanese had done all the work to prepare this event and it is hoped it will become an annual affair. The Branch had a booth with Scottish pancakes etc. and passed out information on the RSCDS classes etc. Thanks to all who donated food and helped Cathrine to “man” (didn’t see too many of them!!) the booth.
The Dem Team have a number of commitments around St. Andrew’s Day but there next public performance will be at the Vancouver Fiddle Orchestra’s concert on November 10 in Highland’s United Church – see all the details for this below. I suggest getting your tickets soon as this concert has sold out each year. Tickets can be reserved by calling:
Rob Waring 604 926 1292 or Highlands United Church 604 980 6071.
Note that the annual Lady Aberdeen Tea Dance will be held on Monday, November 12 at 1 p.m. in the Scottish Cultural Centre. This year the event will be hosted by the Glenayre Club. This is one of the most popular dances of the year and everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend it is only $10 and most of that will go to charity.
The Bellingham workshop & Masquerade Ball was held this past weekend and I would love to get some reports as due to prior commitments I was unable to attend.
If anyone has any suggestions or complaints regarding the newsletter please let me know – ceilidh@rscdsvancouver.org ==============================================================
By the time a man is wise enough to watch his step, he’s too old to go anywhere.
– Billy Crystal
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NOT SO LONG AGO: Comments made in the year 1955!
The fast food restaurant is convenient for a quick meal, but I seriously doubt they will ever catch on.
Ailsa Craig & Culzean Castle
You Know You’re Too Old To Trick Or Treat When:
10. You get winded from knocking on the door.
9. You have to have another kid chew the candy for you.
8. You ask for high fiber candy only.
7. When someone drops a candy bar in your bag, you lose your balance and fall over.
6. People say: “Great Boris Karloff Mask,” and you’re not wearing a mask.
5. When the door opens you yell, “Trick or…” And can’t remember the rest.
4. By the end of the night, you have a bag full of restraining orders
3. You have to carefully choose a costume that won’t dislodge your hairpiece
2. You’re the only Power Ranger in the neighborhood with a walker.
And the number one reason Seniors should not go Trick Or Treating…
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1. You keep having to go home to pee.
No matter what, have a HAPPY HALLOWEEN anyway.
A very pleasant day today with some sunshine, no wind and quite mild too. I raked up some leaves although there are many more to come down and still loads of cedar to fall as well. I had bought some tulip bulbs at the Inverglen stall at the dance festival yesterday. They were selling them as a fund raiser. I manged to get them planted and covered them with some wire mess in an attempt to keep the squirrels away. They just love tulip bulbs, in fact one of the Inverglen dancers lives on the 5th floor of an apartment block and says the squirrels climb up the wall to get to the tulip bulbs they have planted on their balcony!
We were not aware there had been an earthquake in BC until nearly 3 hours after it had occurred so obviously we did not feel anything. The epicentre was near Haida Gwaii which is on the south end of the Queen Charlotte Islands which is over 700 miles north of Vancouver. Apparently there was concern of a Tsunami but fortunately that did not materialize. Residents in parts of British Columbia were evacuated, but the province appeared to escape the biggest quake in Canada since 1949 largely unscathed. Hawaii reported some large waves but again little or no damage. We are all very grateful.
Halloween comes on Wednesday and I hear some firecrackers outside. I will have to think of a costume for class on Wednesday if I am able to attend. And then next weekend the clocks go back to standard time so we get that hour of sleep back that we lost last March!
CetlFeast organizers remind you of the Bara MacNeill’s concerts on November 17 & 18
see info below. Tickets are selling fast.
Bridge of Feugh
“It isn’t pollution that’s harming the environment. It’s the impurities in our air and water that are doing it..”
–Al Gore, Vice President
COMING EVENTS IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS –
| 2012 | |
| 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 |
| Nov 22 | SFU School of Scottish Studies |
| Nov 24 | Delta Social |
| Nov 24 | St. Andrew’s Caledonian Ball |
| Nov 27 | Fort Langley St. Andrew’s Dance |
| Nov 30 | Ceilidh Dance at the Scottish Cultural Centre — class at 7 dance 8 — 11 Admission $10 (students $8) |
| Nov 30 | Tam O’Shanter Dancers annual St. Andrew’s Ceilidh in Sullivan Hall, 6306 — 152nd Street, Surrey at 8 p.m. admission $15 — Ceilidh Dancing, Meat Pies & Other Scottish Fare, Bar, Party Games, Music by “Braidwater” Information and tickets 604-535-8949 or 604-536-7660 |
| Dec 1 | Children’s Christmas party |
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.
Buachaille Etive Mor from the Devil’s Staircase
AMAZING, SIMPLE HOME REMEDIES:
If you have a bad cough, take a large dose of laxatives then you’ll be afraid to cough.
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God’s Pharmacy! Amazing!
A Tomato has four chambers and is red. The heart has four chambers and is red. All of the research shows tomatoes are loaded with lycopine and are indeed pure heart and blood food.
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Caldergeln Country Park
The next Ceilidh Dance is not until Friday, November 30, 2012 – that is the last Friday of the month! You have therefore lots of time to 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.
Currie Road, Galashiels
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.
Fall colours in Edinburgh Botanic Gardens
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
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Last week:
I have four legs but no tail. Usually I am heard only at night. What am I?
Answer: A frog
This week:
Half-way up the hill, I see thee at last, lying beneath me with thy sounds and sights — A city in the twilight, dim and vast, with smoking roofs, soft bells, and gleaming lights.
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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, November 30, 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 in September. 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 —
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.
I went to the cemetery yesterday to lay some flowers on a grave. As I was standing there I noticed 4 grave diggers walking about with a coffin. 3 hours later and they’re still walking about with it. . . I thought to myself, these poor fellows have lost the plot!!
Thanks to Laurie
Keep sending jokes, pictures and info you wish to have included. Don’t forget to look at our web pages at www.vancouverceilidh.org
Edinburgh from Blackford Hill
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 378 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 …..!
First snowfall on the Cairngorms
Duncan ceilidh@rscdsvancouver.org