Ceilidh Dance newsletter – 2012/13 #9 –
next Ceilidh Dance – Friday, November 30, 2012
WHERE IS IT?
I am continuing to include these pictures of Scotland that I have been sent without any note as to where they are. 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. maybe this week’s picture above will be easier?
It looks like a rainy fall which, of course, we are used to in this part of Canada. The temperature has dipped and snow is forecast for Whistler and the local mountains. It has been a nice sunny afternoon and I should have been outside but I am too comfy and warm here in front of my compuer. As well as this newsletter, I write a weekly serial story for some of my grandchildren. The origins of the story goes back quite a few years when I started telling them to two grandchildren who are now too old for bed time stories. The characters in the stoies are 4 baby dinosaurs called Sandy, Mandy, Candy and Andy and tells about all the antics they get up to. It does stretch my imagination and I hope those of the 6 and 4 year old recipients to whom I started re-telling (well re making up) the tales to this summer when they were here from London. Writing it down takes much more time and thought and I have to try and watch my grammar and spelling!!
The Ceilidh Dance last Friday had a good attendance including quite a few who were here for a wedding which was held at the Centre yesterday. Brendan & Claire have been coming to the Ceilidh Dances for some time and were keen to have some Ceilidh Dancing at their wedding and had asked if I would come and call dances for them. Not surprisingly the bride and groom left after the first break and many of the other guests left soon after but we still had a good number to have a fun evening. I hope everyone had a good time and that you will all help spread the word and bring more friends to future Ceilidh Dances.
Because I was at the wedding I could not attend the Gleneagles Fall Dance. I have not heard from anyone else who was there but I am sure it was a very enjoyable evening and am certain there would have been a great spread of goodies at the intermission.
The wedding was great fun. After dinner the bride & groom, now married of course, along with their parents and another couple performed a special wedding ceilidh dance complete with glasses of whisky. After the cake cutting, a towering cake that they cut by swinging a sword horizontally through it so the top could be caught by a group holding a tablecloth – must be an Irish custom, the bride was Irish – the Halifax Wharf Rats took centre stage but, surprisingly they did not get too many dancers to come up as they are a good band. In their breaks I taught some ceilidh dances. In fact in the three sets they did 7 dances including some encores. Naturally the floor was full for these dances – you know me I don’t let too many people sit out!! They all seemed to have fun and I was able to promote the upcoming Ceilidh Dances.
If anyone has any suggestions or complaints regarding the newsletter please let me know – ceilidh@rscdsvancouver.org ==============================================================
Maybe it’s true that life begins at fifty .. But everything else starts to wear out, fall out, or spread out..
– Phyllis Diller
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NOT SO LONG AGO: Comments made in the year 1955!
Thank goodness I won’t live to see the day when the Government takes half our income in taxes. I sometimes wonder if we are electing the best people to government.
View to the Bass Rock
I am already looking forward to our holiday next May and I booked our flights this week. Fortunately I was able to use the points we have accumulated on our credit card although I still had something to pay. Still it was not too bad when you thing there is the return transatlantic flights as well as 4 other flights. It is the taxes that really adds to the bill although our card allows the use of points against the taxes as well. May, 2013 might seem a long way off but at the rate the days fly past it will be here before I know it and I am not trying to rush things.
I am trying, maybe you have noticed, to keep the pictures in their correct season – e.g. the pictures this week were all taken in the fall or autumn months. That does not include the one that I do not know where it is. Of course that is not always possible such as when I want to include a specific picture or someone has requested a picture.
We will soon be into the St. Andrew’s season and the Demonstration Team has a number of bookings in November. But first they will be dancing next Saturday, October 27, at Marpole Days which is being hosted jointly by the Scottish Cultural Centre and, by their neighbours across the lane, the Taiwanese Cultural Centre. The event will take place at the Scottish Cultural Centre, 8886 Hudson Street starting at 11 a.m. and will feature many forms of dance from ballroom, to ballet, to Taiwanese and of course Scottish. The Demonstration Team will dance at 11:30 and the Inverglen Scottish Dancers will perform twice during the day. The event, which is FREE!, will also feature different national foods. Plan to come along and join in the fun.
The Bairns’ Ball is the next day, Sunday, October 27. The dance which is hosted by the Stave Falls Dancers is held in the Pitt Meadows Heritage Hall, 12414 Harris Road, Pitt Meadows from 2 — 4:30 p.m. Everyone welcome, refreshments will be served, come and encourage the children and have a fun afternoon to boot!! Adults $7; non dancing children $3 while all children registered in a Scottish Country Dance class are FREE. Information 604-462-9935
Note that the organizers of the annual St. Andrew’s Ball in Vancouver have reluctantly decided not to convene the Ball this year. They write: This decision has been met with a great deal of disappointment from many people. Our hope is that the Ball will continue next year and for many years to come. We need some help in making this happen. We need to pass the torch. We would appreciate hearing from anyone who is interested in bringing renewed energy, new ideas and contributing their time and/or talents to the planning and execution of next year’s event. Contact information is heatherrisk@shaw.ca 604 738 9224 3106 West 23rd Avenue Vancouver, B.C. V6L 1P6.
I really hope someone “picks up the torch” and gets this fun event back on the rails. The current committee have worked very hard over many years and they deserve a great deal of praise.
Collessie
“Half this game is ninety percent mental.”
–Philadelphia Phillies manager, Danny Ozark
COMING EVENTS IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS –
| 2012 | |
| 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 We encourage historic dress and vintage costumes — or simply adorn your formal ball attire with a mask for the Grand March! Imagine the merriment! |
| Oct 27 | Marpole Cultural Festival at the Scottish Cultural Centre. The Branch Demonstration Team will be dancing at 11:30 and the Inverglen Scottish Dancers will be performing at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. The Inverglen Scottish Dancers will also be selling baked goods, scones and shortbread etc. as a fundraiser to help them on their way to Scotland in July 2013. Hope to see you there! The Branch is hoping that other dancers will help to stock a stall with some “Scottish food” for visitors to taste. |
| Oct 28 | Bairns Ball hosted by the Stave Falls Dancers in Pitt Meadows Heritage Hall, 12414 Harris Road, Pitt Meadows from 2 — 4:30 p.m. Everyone welcome, refreshments will be served, come and encourage the children and have a fun afternoon to boot!! Adults $7; non dancing children $3 while all children registered in a Scottish Country Dance class are FREE. Information 604-462-9935 |
| 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 |
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.
Ecclesmachan
AMAZING, SIMPLE HOME REMEDIES:
A mouse trap placed on top of your alarm clock will prevent you from rolling over and going back to sleep after you hit the snooze button.
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It’s been said that God first separated the salt water from the fresh, made dry land, planted a garden, made animals and fish… all before making a human. He made and provided what we’d need before we were born. These are best & more powerful when eaten raw. We’re such slow learners…
God left us a great clue as to what foods help what part of our body!
God’s Pharmacy! Amazing!
A sliced Carrot looks like the human eye. The pupil, iris and radiating lines look just like the human eye… And YES, science now shows carrots greatly enhance blood flow to and function of the eyes.
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Eildon Hills
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.
Loch Leven
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. NOTE: That Andy said in last week’s programme he was going to retire IF he did not receive at least 20 requests before his next programme. Well he got lots of requests so he is still on the air and you can listen to two of my choices on this week’s (#122) show.
Scott’s View
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 give you a group of three. One is sitting down, and will never get up. The second eats as much as is given to him, yet is always hungry. The third goes away and never returns.
Answer: Stove, fire, smoke
This week:
I have four legs but no tail. Usually I am heard only at night. What am I?
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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.
A mate of mine recently admitted to being addicted to brake fluid. When I quizzed him on it he reckoned he could stop any time . . .
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
Strathearn
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 375 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 …..!
The Tay from Telford Bridge
Duncan ceilidh@rscdsvancouver.org