The Love to Dance workshop is coming up soon and there is still time to register. There is room in the beginners class and also in the intermediate/advanced class. There are great teachers and musicians, lunch is included and the dance winds up with Tea about 4 p.m. The programme has many easy dances and you’ll likely be taught some in class so there is no excuse not to sign up. You can do that online at www.rscdsvancouver.org. I think billeting s available for those who need it. Call Frances at 604-922-6842 for information.
The dance in the afternoon is open to all. What a great way to get rid of those February blues. Music is by the Tartan Players and as I say above the programme of dances looks good for all levels of experience. No snow in the forecast so come along for an enjoyable afternoon of super music and dances.
Cuillins from Elgol
The next Ceilidh Dance is the last Friday in February the date is Friday, February 23 at the Scottish Cultural Centre, 8886 Hudson Street, Vancouver. It is a great way to work off those extra few pounds (kilograms for the younger generation) and a fun evening to boot. I am sure we will get a big crowd, tell your friends to come too.
Groups of 8 or more qualify for a $1 discount so long as you warn me in advance. The “leader” chooses a password that the group knows. You tell me the password; I inform those that are collecting the admission and everyone in the group gets admitted for $1 less than the normal rate. For the dance on February 23 you have until Wednesday (21st) to contact me with the password and the number in your group.
It is a great way to celebrate the season – and cheap too! Arrange to meet all your friends at the Ceilidh dance rather than have them come to your place. Entertainment, food and drink all on tap!
Ben Lui
If you are a bit wary come along to the Ceilidh dance on Friday, February 23 at 7 p.m. in the Scottish Cultural Centre, 8886 Hudson Street, Vancouver. The class, which is free, will give you an idea of what we do as we teach all the dances the same way at the class and at the dance. I am sure you’ll want to stay and enjoy the dance which follows at 8 p.m..
What is a Ceilidh dance? It is informal, easy Scottish Country dancing in a relaxed style for all ages. We teach everything, no experience or partner required just a desire to have fun an ability to move to the wonderful beat of the lively music and to enjoy the company of other like-minded folk.
I seem to have been busy with meetings, accounting work, dancing, doing nothing around the house, etc. and have not been in the garden much – 3 or 4 hours one day cutting back ferns. I had hoped to get out today as the forecast was sunshine but it has turned out to be showers and cloudy though I thought I saw blue up above but it could have been a mirage. Maybe tomorrow though I am due at the airport to meet the family from Hong Kong at 11:30 so that will take care of most of the day. They are coming as it is a holiday – Chinese New Year – and are spending a week with family and another week at Whistler. It will be great to see them again.
Ben More, Stob Binnian
Don’t forget to register for the Love to Dance workshop on February 17 and get your tickets for the afternoon dance. There are classes for both those with little experience and for those with more and the teachers are always the best. This year we have Simon Scott and Kay Sutherland. There is live music for classes and for the afternoon dance music is provided by the Tartan Players.
Berneray
The next Ceilidh dance is on Friday, February 23, 2018 at the Scottish Cultural Centre, 8886 Hudson Street, Vancouver with the usual class at 7 pm and the dance following from 8 – 11 pm. Pay at the door – $12 ($10 for students). Tell your friends etc. about the dances, they are lots of fun.
- The other dates for this season are:-
- February 23
March 30
April 27
The dances are all held at the Scottish Cultural Centre, 8886 Hudson Street, Vancouver (73rd and Hudson which is between Granville and Oak Streets). They are all held on Friday evenings and where possible the last Friday of each month – the exceptions are December (as we never schedule one) and January. Alison and I will be rested and ready so all we need is you! Come with your friends. Hope to see you next February 23.
We really need a big crowd. I had not realized that our rent for the hall had increased so it looks as if the break even will be 70 or thereabouts and then we need to make up the loss for the first 4 ceilidhs of the season. It helps if you spread the word.
=====================================================
Biggar
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Why do I have to press one for English when you’re just going to transfer me to someone I can’t understand anyway?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~========
========================+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Castle Stalker
Donald is walking out of the White House and heading towards his limo, when a possible assassin steps forward and aims a gun.
A Secret Service Agent, new on the job, shouts, “Micky Mouse!”
This startles the would be assassin and he is captured.
Later, the Secret Service Agent’s supervisor takes him aside and asks, “What in the hell made you shout Mickey Mouse?”
Blushing, the agent replies, “I got nervous. I meant to shout, “Donald, duck!”
********************************************************************************
The next regular Ceilidh Dance is the 4th FRIDAY of the February – February 23, 2018. – I sure hope you can come and bring lots of friends.
????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
I have updated the calendar with known dates at this time – see the Upcoming Events tab.
===========================================================
Cullen Bay
yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Thanks to 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 is open 7 days a week and stock includes haggis imported from Scotland and many of your favourite foods.
Celtic Fashions on E-Bay – go to https://www.CelticFashions.com
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Of course I talk to myself; sometimes I need expert advice.
=======================================================
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.
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Easdale
lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll
My wife sat down on the couch next to me as I was flipping channels.
She asked, ‘What’s on TV?’
I said, ‘Dust.’
And then the fight started…
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The next Ceilidh Dance is Friday, February 23, 2018. That will be the fifth one for the season and the second one of 2018. 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’t be the only newbie!
=========================================
Erskine Bridge & the Clyde estuary
Dumbarton Rock on the right bank beyond the bridge
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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!!
llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll
My wife was hinting about what she wanted for our upcoming anniversary. She said, ‘I want something shiny that goes from 0 to 150 in about 3 seconds.’
I bought her a scale.
And then the fight started…
kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk
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/
{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{
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 screen:
COMING EVENTS IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS: Note – please check the Branch website www.rscdsvancouver.org for and last-minute changes.
| 2018 | |
| Feb 14 | Bellingham social dance – Fairhaven Library |
| Feb 16 – 18 | Annual Aloha Winter Weekend with teacher Mary Murray and the Humuhumunukunuhuapua’a and Stathspey Society Band. Info: www.rscdshawaii.org |
| Feb 16 – 18 | Edmonton Caledonian Country Dance Society’s 47th Annual Workshop and Ball, Chateau Lacombe Hotel. Teachers are Jean Wagstaff, B.C., Elaine Brunkin, Missouri, and Tim Wilson, California. Our musicians are Kathy and Fred Collins, Ontario, Judy Nicholson, Texas and Neil Barron, Great Britain. For more information please go to rscdsedmonton.com. |
| Feb 17 | Love to Dance workshop & Tea dance, Scottish Cultural Centre – Call Jean 606-371-1939 or Fran 604-922-6842 for info. Teachers Kay Sutherland & Simon Scott and music by Tartan Players |
| Feb 23 | 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 |
| Mar 3 | Burnaby Spring dance at Confederation Centre, 4584 Albert Street, Burnaby with music by the Vancouver Fiddle Orchestra at 7:30 pm |
| Mar 14 | Bellingham social dance – Fairhaven Library |
| Mar 17 | Heather Ball in the Scottish Cultural Centre with music by Muriel Johnstone, Ian Robertson & Judi Nicholson. Reception 5:45; Supper 6:15 – $80 (+concert $95) – Tickets online at https://rscdsvancouver.org/home/2018-heather-ball-tickets/ |
| Mar 18 | Muriel Johnstone in Concert – 3 pm at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, 1440 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver $20 but with a Ball ticket the combined price is $95 |
| Mar 30 | 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 6 – 8 | For advanced and Intermediate dances dance at Nikko, Japan with teachers Graham Donald and Yoshiki Oyama. Info: kkonyakatalin@gmail.com |
| Apr 7 | Glenayre Spring dance |
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
The next Ceilidh Dance is Friday, February 23rd, 2018. 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. Please do your best to spread the word. Let me know if you would like a poster to put up.
Five Sisters of Kintail
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
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.
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
A few irreverent valentine poems:
THESE ARE ENTRIES TO A WASHINGTON POST COMPETITION ASKING FOR A TWO-LINE RHYME WITH THE MOST ROMANTIC FIRST LINE, AND THE LEAST ROMANTIC SECOND LINE:
- My darling, my lover, my beautiful wife:
Marrying you has screwed up my life. - I see your face when I am dreaming.
That’s why I always wake up screaming. - Kind, intelligent, loving and hot;
This describes everything you are not. - Love may be beautiful, love may be bliss,
But I only slept with you ’cause I was pissed. - I thought that I could love no other –
– that is until I met your brother. - Roses are red, violets are blue, sugar is sweet, and so are you.
But the roses are wilting, the violets are dead, the sugar bowl’s empty and so is your head. - I want to feel your sweet embrace;
But don’t take that paper bag off your face. - I love your smile, your face, and your eyes
Damn, I’m good at telling lies! - My love, you take my breath away.
What have you stepped in to smell this way? - My feelings for you no words can tell,
Except for maybe ‘Go to hell.’ - What inspired this amorous rhyme?
Two parts vodka, one part lime.
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||….
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.
Main entrance to Glasgow Central Station
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.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
The next Ceilidh Dance is Friday, February 23, 2018 (i.e. the last Friday of the month) with live music by Calanaish. This is the second dance of the year and the fifth of the season. We need huge attendance with everyone coming along for a really fun evening.
Snowman in Glasgow
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.
Glen Mark
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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
Scottish Country Dance (SCD) classes are in full session so plan to join a local class or one that suits your schedule. Check out the class locations and come along – see the “Classes” tab.
Come to a class – 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. 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 (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).
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.
=============================================
as well there are classes all up and down Vancouver Island, a number of the Gulf Islands, the Cariboo, Okanagan, Sunshine Coast, 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
“`~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Look what’s in the garden! Above Gourock
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
At my age “getting lucky” means walking into a room and actually remembering what I came in there for.
==========================================
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 Friday, February 23rd, 2018 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 2017/18 season shapes up as follows:
All on Fridays of course and, except for January, it is the last Friday of the Month —
2018
February 23
March 30
April 27
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.)
Hielan’ Coo
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.
I am what is called a“Seenager”(senior teenager). I have everything that I wanted as a teenager, only 60 years later.
I don’t have to go to school or work. I get an allowance every month. I have my own pad. I don’t have a curfew.
I have a driver’s license and my own car. I have an ID that gets me into bars and the whiskey store.
The people I hang around with are not scared of getting pregnant.
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 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.
==============
“““““““““““““““““““““““““““““
Holy Isle, Arran
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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
Skye Bridge
May your troubles be one, may your blessings be more,
and may nothing but happiness come through your door.
Duncan MacKenzie ceilidh@rscdsvancouver.org