Arran ferry arriving at Brodick

It is time to remind you to get all your friends organised to come to the next Ceilidh Dance which is a week on Friday, 1.e. Friday, April 27, in the Scottish Cultural Centre, 8886 Hudson Street, Vancouver.  If you have a group of 8 or more everyone in your group qualifies for $1 discount off the amazingly low admission price of $12 ($10 for students).

You have to let everyone in your group know the password you have chosen which you then relay to me (ceilidh@rscdsvancouver.org) before midnight on Wednesday, April 25.  So get busy, put a group together be it student friends or a faculty celebration, or an office get together, or a bunch of friends, or a birthday/anniversary/end of exam celebration, or whatever, we ‘d love to have you.

There are refreshments/drinks (including beer, cider, juice, etc.) available for a donation   So apart from the fun and great exercise of Scottish Ceilidh dancing there is all the ingredients for a great evening.

No need to be scared if you don’t know how – we will teach you and you won’t be the only newbie.  Two left feet? we will show you how to use the right one – it doesn’t matter, no ones watching anyway!  You will be a star before the night is out.  Make it a date – it will be a night you won’t forget.

 

Paps of Jura from Bunnahabhain Distllery

There is a “class” at 7 pm where we go over a few of the dances.  The class is free as you don’t pay until the dance starts at 8.  For those new to ceilidh dancing the class is a great introduction and you will soon find out you are not the only one who does not know their left from right or back from front!!  We teach everything and the dance follows the same format.  Everything is very relaxed so you don’t have to worry about anything.  If you can walk; you can dance.  Wear flat comfy shoes and loose, layered clothing as it is warm work reeling and spinning.

This is the end of season dance – start again in September – a great way to celebrate spring.

Ice formations at Lochearn

If you are a bit wary come along to the Ceilidh dance on Friday, April 27 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.

A low rainbow over Loch Lubnaig

No more Ball tickets or local concerts to promote though there is always workshops, balls, etc. going on somewhere in the Scottish Country dance world.  Here in the Vancouver area we have a number of club sponsored dances coming up details of which are in the calendar or you can find out more at the Branch website www.rscdsvancouver.org

Loch Leven

The next Ceilidh dance is on Easter Friday, March 30, 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 are:-
  •   April 27
  •   September 28
  •   October 26
  •   November 30

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.

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 5 ceilidhs of the season. I think I can promise there will be no snow!   It helps if you spread the word.

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A sure sign of the season

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Two hats were hanging on a hat rack in the hallway. One hat said to the other: ‘You stay here; I’ll go on a head.’

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Kilchurn Castle

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The next regular Ceilidh Dance is the 4th FRIDAY of the April – April 27, 2018. – I sure hope you can come and bring lots of friends.

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I have updated the calendar with known dates at this time – see the Upcoming Events tab.

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A view from the hills above Oban

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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

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A hole has been found in the nudist camp wall. The police are looking into it.

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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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Gruinard Bay

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Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.

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The next Ceilidh Dance is Friday, April 27, 2018. That will be the seventh and last one for the season and the fourth 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!

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Glencoe-from-Stob-Coire

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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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Atheism is a non-prophet organization.

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A good laugh is always nice

*Warning — if you are drinking coffee swallow it now*

CLASS PROJECT GONE WRONG

An elementary school class started a class project to make planters to take home to their parents.  They wanted to have a plant in it that was easy to take care of, so they decided to use cactus plants.

The students were given green-ware pottery planters in the shape of clowns which they painted with glaze.  The clown planters were professionally fired at a class outing so they could see the process. It was great fun!   They planted cactus seeds in the finished planters and they grew nicely, but unfortunately, the children were not allowed to take them home.

The cactus plants were removed and small ivy replaced them and the children were then allowed
to take them home instead.

The teacher said cactus seemed like a good idea at the time!

BUT……..

!

 


!

 

 

 

!

 

 

!

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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 screen:

Fascinating 90 second video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvM7jFZGAec

You want proof

proof_the_irish_discovered_africia

Worth the time to watch…..
This video is fantastic….
The drum troop is from Switzerland and they are appearing in Scotland . They
do not do this for a living …. rather just for the love of it.
Can you imagine the number of hours of practice it has taken to elevate
their level of performance to what you are about to watch.

I hope you enjoy this as much as I did…

swiss

May be the coolest thing you’ll see today

 

This is a Brilliant ad…….

This should be forwarded to EVERYBODY!

Ok, I think most of these people need brain transplants, but some of them are funny.

WhyAARPSellsInsurance

COMING EVENTS IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS: Note – please check the Branch website www.rscdsvancouver.org for and last-minute changes.

2018  
Apr 17 Deep Cove dance walk-through at 7 p.m. in Maplewood School, 420 Seymour River Place, North Vancouver – FREE
Apr 21 Deep Cove Spring dance, St. Catherine’s Church, 1058 Ridgewood Drive, North Vancouver at 7;30 p.m.  Music by Mary Ross – $20
Apr 21 St. George’s Day Celebrations, Roundhouse Community Centre – info Steve at celtict@telus.net
Apr 27 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 28 Vernon Scottish Country Dancers 22nd annual workshop & ceilidh, Paddlewheel Park Hall.  Info:  kathdin@shaw.ca
May  4 CEILIDH/TWMPATH/BARN DANCE. 7:30 – 10:30pm
Where: The Cambrian Hall, 215 East 17th Avenue, Vancouver
Band: The RATTLEBONE BAND
Tickets: $10 adults, $5 kids, available from Pat Morris (604 536 9556 –
email druidsgreen@gmail.com)
May  6 White Rock Annual Spring dance – Star of the Sea Hall, 15262 Pacific Avenue, White Rock.  Music by Mary Ross.  Doors open 3:00, dancing at 3:30 – refreshments to follow – $20
May  9 Bellingham social dance – Fairhaven library
May 25 – 27 Youth Weekend West hosted by the Youth of San Francisco Branch RSCDS to be held in Santa Rosa and Petaluma for ages 12 to 35ish.  Teachers Linda Henderson & Marjorie McLaughlin.  Website: yww2018.wordpress.com and for more info  sryouthworkshop@gmail.com
May 27 Fort Langley Whisky Tea dance Ft. Langley Community Hall, 9247 Glover Road, Ft. Langley 2:00 p.m. – $20 music by Susan Worland Bentley and Lyle Ramshaw from San Francisco
May 30 Mass dancing practice for the BC Highland Games at Scottish Cultural Centre
Jun 6 Mass dancing practice for the BC Highland Games at Scottish Cultural Centre
Jun 13 Mass dancing practice for the BC Highland Games at Scottish Cultural Centre
Jun 16 B.C. Highland Games – Percy Perry Stadium, Coquitlam
Jun 18 Dancing In the Park, 7 – 9 pm in Ceperley Playground, Stanley Park – hosted by Burnaby Club
Jun 25 Dancing In the Park, 7 – 9 pm in Ceperley Playground, Stanley Park – hosted by Vancouver Branch with the Vancouver Police Pipe Band and the Branch Demonstration Team

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The next Ceilidh Dance is Friday, April 27th, 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.

Glen Rosa, Arran

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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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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.

Dunnottar Castle from the Air

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 Friday, April 27, 2018 (i.e. the last Friday of the month) with live music by Calanaish. This is the fourth dance of the year and the seventh and last of the season. We need huge attendance with everyone coming along for a really fun evening.

Crammond from the air

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.

Cille churchyard above Spean Bridge

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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

The Cowboy and The City Slicker

An Alberta cowboy was overseeing his herd in a remote mountainous pasture when suddenly a brand new BMW advanced out of a cloud of dust towards him.   The driver, a young man in a Brioni suit, Gucci shoes, Ray Ban sunglasses  and YSL tie, leans out the window and asks the cowboy ‘If I tell you how  many cows and calves you have in your herd, will you give me a calf?’

The cowboy looks at the man, obviously a yuppie, then looks at his peacefully grazing herd and calmly answers, ‘Sure, why not?’ The yuppie parks his car, whips out his Dell notebook computer, connects to his Rogers RAZR V3 cell phone, and surfs to a NASA page on the Internet, where he calls up a GPS satellite navigation system to get an exact fix on
his location, which he then feeds to another NASA Satellite that scans the area in an ultra-high-resolution photo. The young man then opens the digital photo in Adobe Photoshop and exports it to an image processing facility in Hamburg Germany . Within seconds, he retrieves an email on his Palm Pilot that the image has been processed and the data stored. He then accesses a MS-SQL database through an ODCB connected Excel spreadsheet with email on his Blackberry and, after a few minutes, receives a response. Finally, he prints out a full-color, 150-page report on his high-tech, miniaturized HP LaserJet printer and finally
turns to the cowboy and says, ‘You have exactly 1,586 cows and calves.’

‘That’s right. Well I guess you can take one of my calves,’ says the cowboy.

He watches the young man select one of the animals and looks on in amusement as the young man stuffs it into the trunk of his car.

Then the cowboy says to the young man, ‘Hey, if I can tell you exactly what your business is, will you give me back my calf?’

The young man thinks about it for a second, and then says, ‘Okay, why not?’

‘You work for the Canadian Government,’ says the cowboy.

‘Wow! That’s correct,’ says the young man, ‘but how did you guess that?’

‘No guessing required,’ answered the cowboy. ‘You showed up here, even though nobody called you; you want to get paid for giving me an answer I already knew, to a question I never asked. You tried to show me how much smarter than me you are; and you don’t know a thing about cows. This is a herd of sheep. Now give me back my dog.’

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Scottish Country Dance (SCD) classes are coming to the end of another season but it won’t be long until Dancing in the Park (DITP) starts again.  These are Beginner/Tourist friendly nights with favourites for more experienced dancers held at Ceperley Playground in Stanley Park.  DITP is held, weather permitting on Monday evenings from 7 – 9 pm starting June 18 through August 13.

Dance - blue

Come to a class in September – 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.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).

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, 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

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Burghead Harbour

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I wondered why the baseball kept getting bigger. Then it hit me.

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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 Friday, April 27th, 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
April 27
September 28
October 26
November 30

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.)

Tarbert

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.

https://www.vancouverceilidh.org/wp-admin/link-manager.php

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 381 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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Edinburgh Castle

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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

Tobermory

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

Duncan MacKenzie ceilidh@rscdsvancouver.org