Ceilidh Dance newsletter – 2012/13 #4 – next Ceilidh Dance – Friday, September 28, 2012
Scourie
The first West End class of the season attracted an attendance of 16 including 4 newcomers (1 from Ceilidh dancing) and 1 familiar face from another club. This was pretty good considering a number of our regulars were away on holiday. We hope that the new members will come back next week. As is the case with all clubs (I think – let me know if it is not the case) the first night is free so it is a good time to bring friends so they can see what all the fun is about.
Here is a list of performance venues sent to me by the Inverglen Dancers:
Sun. Sept. 30 — Sunrise Living — Vancouver.
For more information on classes or performances: inverglendance@shaw.ca. Sandra Crosby
If anyone has any suggestions or complaints regarding the newsletter please let me know – ceilidh@rscdsvancouver.org ==============================================================
Until I was thirteen, I thought my name was SHUT UP .
– Joe Namath
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NOT SO LONG AGO: Comments made in the year 1955!
Did you see where some baseball player just signed a contract for $50,000 a year just to play ball? It wouldn’t surprise me if someday they’ll be making more than the President.
Selkirk
Last week I commented on some .bmp files I had been sent that used to be animated but not now. I have found that they are animated when I use an older computer that has Outlook 2003 rather than the 2007 version I currently use. Does anyone have a solution as they are, or were, quite good.
It is time for you to dust off your dance shoes, phone your friends, remember the information you got at Dancing in Stanley Park, etc. as almost all classes will have started but it is never too late to join in. Please do come along or come back again. It is a great and healthy past-time.
Many of you were off to Fort Worden this weekend and I hope it was as fun as it always has been. It is a great setting staying in the former officers homes and all the before and after parties are a hoot. Unfortunately I am off to the far east so was not able to attend. I will be back in lots of time for the Ceilidh Dance on Friday, September 28 and I am hoping everyone will be contacting their friends to get them to come along. See more info later in the newsletter.
Check out the BC Highland Games website at www.bchighlandgames.com
Children Are Quick
TEACHER: Harold, what do you call a person who keeps on talking when people are no longer interested?
HAROLD: A teacher
Eshaness Drongs, Shetland
COMING EVENTS IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS –
| 2012 | |
| Sep 20 | SFU School of Scottish Studies presents a reading by author Jack Whyte on his new novel about Robert the Bruce 7:30-9:00 pm Room 1900, SFU Harbour Centre, 515 West Hastings St, Vancouver |
| Sep 22 | SFU School of Scottish Studies annual St. Andrews and Caledonian Society-sponsored event this year is a one-woman play on Mary Queen of Scots starring Anna Hepburn. 7:30-9:30 pm, Room 1900, SFU Harbour Centre, 515 West Hastings St, Vancouver |
| Sep 28 | Ceilidh Dance at the Scottish Cultural Centre — class at 7 dance 8 — 11 Admission $10 (students $8) |
| Sep 28 | Vancouver Branch RSCDS Annual General Meeting, Scottish Cultural Centre, 8886 Hudson Street, Vancouver at 7:00 p.m. This is your chance to have your say and to vote in the new Board. |
| Sep 29 | Pearl’s Welcome Back Social- 7:30 p.m. in the Scottish Cultural Centre, 8886 Hudson Street, Vancouver with music by the Tartan Players — tickets $15 at the door — an easy programme which you can find on the Branch website at www.rscdsvancouver.org |
| Sep 29 — 30 | Saskatchewan Branch workshop, banquet and ball with Irene Paterson and Fred Demarse and musicians Ken Nattrass and Ron Krug — info at www.rscdssask.org |
| Oct 6 | Bellingham monthly social |
| Oct 6/8 | Banff, Alberta workshop & Ball with teachers Sue Porter, Scotland, Rona Wallace, USA; Marjorie McLaughlin, USA & Simon Scott, BC with music by Laird Brown & the Scottish Accent — www.rscdscalgary.org or contact Ilo Torgerson at 403-273-6579 torgeri@shaw.ca |
| Oct 14 | White Rock fall workshop with Maureen Lyon in Sullivan Hall, 6303 152nd Street, Surrey $10Advanced class 9:30 a.m. to noon; Intermediate and Beginner dancers 1:00 to 3:30 p.m.To register call or e-mail Laurie 604-944-6678 ljreel@telus.net or Gerda 604-531-4595 gerdab@shaw.ca |
| Oct 19 | Ceilidh Dance at the Scottish Cultural Centre — class at 7 dance 8 — 11 Admission $10 (students $8) |
| Oct 20 | Gleneagles Fall Dance, Christ the Redeemer Church, 595 Keith Road (just east of Taylor Way), West Vancouver 7:30 p.m. – $10 see www.rscdsvancouver.org for programme |
| Oct 20 | Nanaimo Fall TAC Workshop in Pleasant Valley Community Centre, Duomont Road, Nanaimo at 10:30 am Teacher: Evelyn Nixon This workshop is a must for all teachers and prospective teachers. Evelyn Nixon, the teacher for the day, invites you to e-mail her with anything you would like her to address in the workshop. We take the 8:30am ferry from Horseshoe Bay and we will be met at the ferry and taken to the hall. Would you please let Jean Wagstaff — jeedwag@yahoo.ca – know if you intend going and I will notify June McFadden the coordinator of the workshop of the number to be picked up from the ferry. Bring a packed lunch….and don’t forget your shoes and notebook. |
| Oct 26 – 27 | Bellingham workshop and ball with teachers Mary Murray and David Newitt — live music for classes and the ball which will be held at the fabulous Majestic Ballroom — info at andersonmary41@comcast.net Our website for details on the weekend is: www.bellinghamscd.org |
See website www.vancouverceilidh.org for a more complete list.
Shin Falls
IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER – by Erma Bombeck
(written after she found out she was dying of cancer).
When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, ‘Later. Now go get washed up for dinner.’ There would have been more ‘I love you’ More ‘I’m sorry’s.’
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If you ever testify in court, you might wish you could have been as sharp as this policeman. He was being cross-examined by a defense attorney during a felony trial. The lawyer was trying to undermine the police officer’s credibility ….
Q: ‘Officer — did you see my client fleeing the scene?’
A: ‘No sir. But I subsequently observed a person matching the description of the offender, running several blocks away.’
Q: ‘Officer — who provided this description?’
A: ‘The officer who responded to the scene.’
Q: ‘A fellow officer provided the description of this so-called offender. Do you trust your fellow officers?’
A: ‘Yes, sir. With my life.’
Q: ‘With your life? Let me ask you this then officer. Do you have a room where you change your clothes in preparation for your daily duties?’
A: ‘Yes sir, we do!’
Q: ‘And do you have a locker in the room?’
A: ‘Yes, sir, .. I do.’
Q: ‘And do you have a lock on your locker?’
A: ‘Yes, sir.’
Q: ‘Now, … why is it, officer, if you trust your fellow officers with your life, you find it necessary to lock your locker in a room you share with these same officers?’
A: ‘You see, sir — we share the building with the court complex, and sometimes lawyers have been known to walk through that room.’
The courtroom EXPLODED with laughter, and a prompt recess was called. The officer on the stand has been nominated for this year’s ‘Best Comeback’ line — and we think he’ll win.
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Portree
The next Ceilidh Dance is on Friday, September 28, 2012 – that is the last Friday of the month.
Please help spread the word about all the Ceilidh Dances as that is the best (and cheapest) form of advertising. Here is a link where you can watch a short video of a Ceilidh Dance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MvUwZnY9Ms
The format for all of the regular monthly Ceilidh Dances will be the same with the class from 7 — 8 p.m. and the dance from 8 — 11 p.m. and all dances will be walked and talked through. The price is only – $10 or $8 for students which, for what you get is a super bargain — everyone is welcome. No partner is required and you should wear FLAT, comfy shoes and loose clothing. Children are also welcome but should be prepared to dance with other people as some of the dances require a change of partner. Don’t forget to bring a few extra $$$$ to help defray the cost of the refreshments which are otherwise free.
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.
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
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Riddles (answer next week)
Last week:
What’s black when you get it, red when you use it, and white when you’re all through with it?
Answer: Charcoal
This week:
You throw away the outside and cook the inside. Then you eat the outside and throw away the inside. What did you eat?
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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, September 28, 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 thoughtful gift it could be if you gave your friends admission to the Ceilidh Dance. They don’t need to know 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 —
September 28
October 19
November 30
2013
January 4
February 1
February 22
March 22
April 26
Come along and get some great exercise while also having lots of fun. We are still working on improving the strength of the smile muscles as well as the bows and curtsies! Please do your best to assist us in letting as many people know as possible. Use Face-book, e-mail, telephone or even word of mouth and tell everyone you know what a fun night it is. We need to attract students from UBC, SFU and all the other colleges and universities. Somehow we have to get word out to these students. Please do all you can to help us. Come one, come all to the same place (Scottish Cultural Centre, 8886 Hudson Street, Vancouver) and the same time (7 p.m. for the class and 8 – 11 p.m. for the dance) and the same amazing price ($10 or $8 for students.)
You should check the website – www.vancouverceilidh.org – from time to time as you can find various pages listing “Ceilidhs and Events;” Classes:” Duncan’s List;” etc. On these pages you can check all the upcoming events, where all the classes are located, times, etc. and some places to find Scottish things or some local trades, etc. I will continue to highlight the more current events in each week’s newsletter but, as stated, the calendar of all events will be available on the website. You should also have a look at the Vancouver Branch website from time to time – www.rscdsvancouver.org – as there is always useful information on it and it is a very good looking site.
If you have any questions regarding the Ceilidh Dances send them to me at ceilidh@rscdsvancouver.org
Please check the website – www.rscdsvancouver.org for updates, pictures and news.
Dance — it is good for your health.
On September 17, 1994, Alabama’s Heather Whitestone was selected as Miss America 1995.)
Question: If you could live forever, would you and why?
Answer: “I would not live forever, because we should not live forever, because if we were supposed to live forever, then we would live forever, but we cannot live forever, which is why I would not live forever,”
–Miss Alabama in the 1994 Miss USA contest
Keep sending jokes, pictures and info you wish to have included. Don’t forget to look at our web pages at www.vancouverceilidh.org
St Monan’s
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 374 subscribers (down 1!) 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 …..!
Staffa
Duncan ceilidh@rscdsvancouver.org