I have heard good reports on the Heather Ball though mixed ones on the food.  The Concert really was enjoyable and I can give a first hand report on that.  Luke Brady is a superb musician and his stories about his youth (he is still very young!) were amusing and enlightening.  His fingers seemed to fly over the key board and buttons on his accordion and though he said he taught himself to play the piano you could have fooled me.  It was an afternoon of enjoyment and if you did not go you missed a wonderful event.

Rosemary and her committee are to be commended and thanked for all the work they put in to prepare for this weekend.  It is no small task and one which was well done.

Despite the rain we did get out in the garden 2 or 3 times and managed to finish the front garden with it spring clean up. It is a case of recycle the fall and winter debris and eventually replace it with fresh soil –  our in the cans in via wheelbarrow.

Don’t forget to put the Ceilidh Dances on your 2017 calendars – March 31 and April 28 (the last Friday of each month).   Come to the Ceilidh  next Friday – March 31, to welcome Spring and have lots of fun for next to nothing!

The Falls of Clyde

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Northern Lights (the aurora borealis) over Loch Lomond

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Some facts you may not know about Canada

“Canada” is an Iroquoian language word meaning “village”.

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Glen Rosa

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 For sale: Long skirt and matching sash from Claire Charles of Pitlochry. Ancient Douglas tartan (blue and green). Length 31.5”. Size “Easyfit.” Perfect for Heather Ball and TAC balls. Brand new. Please contact Rosemary at 604-298-6552 or rcoupe@shaw.ca

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Glen Ure

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The next regular Ceilidh Dance is the Last day of the month and the last Friday too!! – That is Friday, March 31, 2017 and I sure hope you can come.  

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I have updated the calendar with known dates at this time including Inverglen’s annual concert- see the Upcoming Events tab.

Frances reminds me that registration for Summer School is open and filling up fast.  It is being held in our own back yard at the University of British Columbia.  This Scottish Country Dance school is for all levels not just advanced dancers.

Hi Everyone,

I know we are looking forward to the warmer weather – it’s coming sooooon.

 I want to remind you that registration for Summer School and the Teachers’ Weekend is already available on-line.   https://www.tac-rscds.org/index.php/tac-summer-school/summer-school-2017   There is a lot of information on the web site – many “pull-down” pages providing you with information about classes, teachers, musicians, special events etc.  Please take a minute to look at the site and then register.   There are over 125 people already registered and the site has only been open four weeks.  We would hate you to miss out. 

 If you or any of your dancers are interested in participating in the Dancing Achievement Program could you please let me know – after you’ve told them about this new and interesting opportunity.  So far we have two Vancouver dancers who will participate and in early July we will organize a couple of classes to help them learn these dances. Of course you could also slip a few of these into your regular classes and that would help everyone become familiar with them. The list of dances and all the details are on the Summer School web site.  We look forward to hearing that you’ve registered.

Fran C.

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Glenfinnan & Loch Shiel

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Canada’s official phone number is 1-800-O-CANADA.

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Thanks to Steve at 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 has new owners.  Come and meet the new owners and stock up on all your favourite foods.  I hear they have just received new stock from Marks & Spencers.

Celtic Fashions on E-Bay – go to https://www.CelticFashions.com 

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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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Holy Isle from Whiting Bay

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The Red Phone

Nicola Sturgeon, Donald Trump, and Vladimir Putin all die and go to hell.  While there, they spy a red phone and ask what the phone is for.  The Devil tells them it is for calling back to Earth.

Putin calls Russia and talks for 5 minutes.  When he was finished the devil informs him that the cost is a million dollars, so Putin writes him a cheque.

Next Donald Trump calls the U.S. and talks for 30 minutes.  When he’s finished the devil informs him that the cost is 6 million dollars, so Trump writes him a cheque.

Finally Nicola Sturgeon gets her turn and calls Scotland for 4 hours. When she’s finished, the devil informed her that there would be no charge and feel free to call Scotland anytime.

Putin and Trump go ballistic and ask the devil why Nicola Sturgeon got to call Scotland free.

The devil replied, “Since Nicola Sturgeon became First Minister of Scotland, the Country has gone to hell, so it’s a local call.”

Inverary Castle

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The next Ceilidh Dance is NEXT Friday, March 31, 2017 – that is the last Friday of this month.  That will be the sixth one for the season and the third one of 2017.  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’s be the only newbie!  

Barbara Walters, of 20/20, did a story in Kabul, Afghanistan, several years before the Afghan conflict.   She noted women walked five paces behind their husbands.

She recently returned to Kabul and observed that women still walk behind their husbands.   Despite the overthrow of the oppressive Taliban regime, the women now seem happy to maintain the old custom. Ms. Walters approached one of the Afghani women and asked, “Why do you now seem happy with an old custom that you once tried so desperately to change?”

‘The woman looked Ms Walters straight in the eyes and without hesitation said,  “Land mines”.

Moral is (no matter what language you speak or where you go):

BEHIND EVERY MAN, THERE’S A SMART WOMAN.

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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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Large parts of Canada have less gravity than the rest of Earth. The phenomenon was discovered in the 1960s.

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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 Page:-

now that’s dancin’

Camp Hollywood 2014 LA Shag “San / I want my Dime Back …

An image of a rare Fogbow has been captured over Scottish moors/

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3958014/Stunning-image-rare-FOG-bow-captured-photographer-snow-covered-Scottish-moors.html#ixzz4QsnIBe9p

Can you figure out how to put the square in the bag?  You have 2 minutes

https://www.wimp.com/can-you-figure-out-how-to-fit-the-square-inside-the-bag/

Friends who are faculty and staff at schools support the use of facility dogs on campus.  They have discovered that there is little risk and cost to make your students more comfortable, calm, and confident.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/ SJoE_lNQdHU

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The next Ceilidh Dance is THIS Friday, March 31st, 2017.   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. We need to improve the attendance to make the dances financially viable. Please do your best to spread the word. Let me know if you would like a poster to put up.

Killantrangan Bay near Port Patrick

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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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COMING EVENTS IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS: Note: Please check list of classes for all start times and locations.

 

2017  
Mar 29 White Rock St. Patrick’s party – wear green
Mar 31 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  1 Glenayre Spring Dance – St. Laurence Church Hall, 825 St. Laurence Street, Coquitlam at 7:30 pm  – $12  Full time students 18 & under $5 – programme to suit all levels of dancers.
Apr  7 Carlos Nunez at the Vogue Theatre.  If you thing Spain is just Flamenco, you are about to make an amazing discovery.  Tickets start at $37.50     www.celticfestvancouver.com/event-list/
Apr  8 Children’s Easter Party CANCELLED
Apr  8 Please join the Centre for Scottish Studies at SFU in celebrating Tartan Day with a wonderful afternoon of free lectures and cultural entertainment on Saturday April 8, from 2-5 pm at the SFU Harbour Centre Campus (downtown Vancouver) in room 1900, the Fletcher Challenge Theatre. Please register for your free ticket:    https://tinyurl.com/j23vybc by April 1 for catering purposes.
Apr 10 Branch end of term Ceilidh in Scottish Cultural Centre at 7:30 pm – Drop-in $6.50
Apr 19 White Rock AGM
Apr 22 Deep Cove Spring Dance – St. Catherine’s Anglican Church, 1058 Ridgewood Drive, North Vancouver at 7:30 pm – admission $20 – music by Mary Ross
Apr 22 Change of date —  see April 29
Apr 22 Vancouver Island Spring Fling
Apr 28 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 29 NEW DATE —    Nanaimo Spring Dance
Apr 29 Vernon One Day Workshop & Dance with teacher Bernadette Thill, Edmonton and musician Mary Ross, Victoria.  Information and registration form kenruthhurst@gmail.com
May  7 White Rock Annual Spring Tea Dance – Star of the Sea Hall, 15262 Pacific Avenue, White Rock with music by the Tartan Players – Doors open at 3:30 pm Dancing starts at $ pm – Refreshments to follow
May 10 White Rock last class of season
May 28 Fort Langley Voyageurs Whisky Tea Dance

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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.

Kintail

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 less than a week away  – Friday, March 31, 2017 with live music by Calanaish.   This is the third dance of the year and we need a huge attendance with everyone coming along for a really fun evening.

Late snow on Arran

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.

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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

Loch Eck

Scottish Country Dance (SCD) classes started up again for another session in January but it is never too late to join in.  Check out the class locations and come along – see the “Classes” tab.  

Dance - blue

Come to a class in February – 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 in the new year. There are classes all around and on different nights so GIVE IT A GO!   Make it a New Year’s resolution.  Go to either www.rscdsvancouver.org or www,vancouverceilidh.org for a list of class locations and times.St patrick's Day Dancers

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).

Prostitution is legal in Canada. Buying the services of a prostitute is not.

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, 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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Loch Lee

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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 on   Friday, March 31, 2017 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 2016/17 season shapes up as follows:
All on Fridays of course —

2017
March 31
April 28

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.)

view from Conic Hill looking to Loch Lomond and the Trossachs

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.

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 369 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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Loch Lubnaig

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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 and come to the Ceilidh Dance on Friday, March 31!!

May your troubles be one, may your blessings be more,
and may nothing but happiness come through your door.

Duncan MacKenzie    ceilidh@rscdsvancouver.org