Ceilidh Dance newsletter – 2012/13 #12
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 a number of responses and I have been convinced by the vast majority that it was the Black Cuillin from Loch Harport, with Sgurr nan Gillean and Am Basteir on the left right round to Sgurr Alasdair (I think) on the right and the village of Carbost on Skye. You can look back at last week’s and most prior newsletters by going to our website at www.vancouverceilidh.org.
This week may be a little harder though I am sure someone will recognize the unusual backdrop.
The readership of, or at least the number of subscribers to, this newsletter has gone up to 380 which is the highest number since we moved to the current system. There used to be many more but, I am sure, those now on the list are the creme de la creme. Please pass along the website to your friends and maybe they will subscribe – www.vancouverceilidh.org Last week’s newsletter prompted a subscriber to write to me with the following anecdote:
Our neighbour John’s great great grandfather had a horse stolen 200 years ago by the gypsies, and the farmer pursued them for 10 days up thro’ Glasgow, up Loch Lomond, across to Inverary, Dalmally, Glen Orchy and Glen Coe, to Appin where the Gypsy was apprehended and became the last man in Scotland to be hanged for horse stealing .
John decided to re-enact the pursuit last year, and so the 2 of us set off on the 10 day treck across Scotland. If you Google ” the Last Man to be Hanged for Horse Stealing ” you should get the BBC clip about it.
The 3rd annual Vancouver Fiddle Orchestra’s concert hosted jointly by Highland’s United Church and the VFO was sold out again, in fact I saw a young couple being turned away as there were no seats left. The VFO were in fine form and treated us to many great tunes. Other entertainers were Ryan North, a very talented young fiddler and composer; Hugh Conings on the Vibrophone accompanied by Cathrine playing an unusual rendition of Inishere; Kim Reid on the bagpipes; two talented Scandinavian Dancers, Valerie Fodor & Paul Broste accompanied by Deborah Jones and Ib Neilsen as well as the Vancouver Branch Demonstration Team. Everyone added to a wonderful night’s entertainment – a great value for $15 and there was tea & goodies included and even some audience participation exercises and ceilidh dancing. Well done everyone.
As one of their dances, the Demonstration Team honoured Rosemary Coupe by performing her dance “Burnaby @ 40” which she had written to commemorate the Burnaby clubs 40th anniversary. The dance was selected by the RSCDS and is included in the Diamond Jubilee Book. Rosemary, who has been a teacher at the Burnaby Club for many years has also been a previous editor of the printed newsletter “The White Cockade” and she has done a lot of work on the archives of Scottish Country Dancing here in BC and also on many old dances. She is now the editor of the Scottish Country Dancer which is the RSCDS magazine sent from Scotland. It was great to see Rosemary and husband Robert at the concert.
Note that the annual Lady Aberdeen Tea Dance will be held tomorrow – Monday, November 12 at 1:30 p.m. in the Scottish Cultural Centre. This year the event will be hosted by the Glenayre Club. This is one of the most popular dances of the year and everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend it is only $10 and most of that will go to charity.
Note: the Celtic Treasure Chest has some hot deals – see www.celtictreasurechest.ca.
Just say you read about it in the newsletter.
If anyone has any suggestions or complaints regarding the newsletter please let me know – ceilidh@rscdsvancouver.org ==============================================================
The English Plural: (according to George Carlin)
We’ll begin with a box, and the plural is boxes,
But the plural of ox becomes oxen, not oxes.
One fowl is a goose, but two are called geese,
Yet the plural of moose should never be meese.
You may find a lone mouse or a nest full of mice,
Yet the plural of house is houses, not hice.
If the plural of man is always called men,
Why shouldn’t the plural of pan be called pen?
If I speak of my foot and show you my feet,
And I give you a boot, would a pair be called beet?
If one is a tooth and a whole set are teeth,
Why shouldn’t the plural of booth be called beeth?
Then one may be that, and there would be those,
Yet hat in the plural would never be hose,
And the plural of cat is cats, not cose.
We speak of a brother and also of brethren,
But though we say mother, we never say methren.
Then the masculine pronouns are he, his and him,
But imagine the feminine: she, shis and shim!
““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““
NOT SO LONG AGO: Comments made in the year 1955!
No one can afford to be sick anymore. At $15.00 a day in the hospital, it’s too rich for my blood.
Galloway cows near Melrose
There also is a picture of a typical bonfire as a memory of November 5 – Guy Fawkes Day.
Today, of course is Remembrance Day which brings back many memories. My father was in the RAMC and spent most of the war in India and Burma. He did write some letters etc. home to his wife and children and later to our children telling them about it but I am certain there were many things he left out of his history. It is good the we remember. I have included a picture of the British poppy which has a green leaf and is quite different from the ones we wear in Canada.
CetlFeast organizers remind you of the Bara MacNeill’s concerts on November 17 & 18
see info below. Tickets are selling fast.
SFU School of Scottish Studies are presenting a dramatic production on Thursday November 22 which sounds very interesting. Information is below under “Coming Events.”
Portknockie Harbour
“We’ve got to pause and ask ourselves: How much clean air do we need?”
–Lee Iacocca
COMING EVENTS IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS –
| 2012 | |
| 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 presents: Anna Hepburn, Mary Queen of Scots: The Last Letter (a dramatic production). 7:30-9:30 pm, Room 1900, SFU Harbour Centre, 515 West Hastings St, Vancouver. This event is open to the public. A donation of $10-12 is suggested. Proceeds will go entirely to the actress. For more information please visit www.scottish.sfu.ca. And to reserve a seat please contact tbarker@sfu.ca |
| Nov 24 | The Delta Borderers invite you to a Tribute to Canadian Bands & Musicians at the Kinsmen Centre, 5410 — 10th Avenue, Tsawwassen at 7:30 p.m. – $15 see www.rscdsvancouver.org for crib notes |
| Nov 27 | Fort Langley St. Andrew’s Dance 7:30 p.m. in Fort Langley Community Hall admission $10 with great music by Mary Ross, some fun dances and a scrumptious tea to end the evening — info Larry 604-576-6371 |
| 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 |
| Dec 1 | Children’s Christmas party |
| Dec 8 | Bellingham monthly dance |
| Dec 9 | Gleneagles Ball Join us for our forty-ninth annual ball on Sunday at 1:30pm We look forward to welcoming you for the delicious luncheon buffet as well as the scrumptious post-dancing dessert bar. Spend the afternoon dancing a program of some new and many well known favorite dances, all to the irresistible music of Vancouver’s own Fiddle Orchestra. Enjoy spending festive time with friends from many clubs, both near and far. All of this is enhanced by the elegant ambiance of the Pacific Ballroom of the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. Tickets at $110.00 may be purchased by contacting Norm and Susan Haug 604 984 7458 normhaug@shaw.ca Check the Branch website for cribs and other information. |
Seattle Branch announces the start of their Challenge Class which are held on the 2nd Friday each month (next one on December 14) 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.
Who says Canada has all the fall colours? – River Garry
AMAZING, SIMPLE HOME REMEDIES:
If you can’t fix it with a hammer, you’ve got an electrical problem.
Unknown Soldier
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
God’s Pharmacy! Amazing!
A Walnut looks like a little brain, a left and right hemisphere, upper cerebrums and lower cerebellums. Even the wrinkles or folds on the nut are just like the neo-cortex. We now know walnuts help develop more than three (3) dozen neuron-transmitters for brain function.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Torphins & Learney Hill
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.
November 5 fireworks – Glasgow
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. Andy is asking everyone to send in their requests so if you have a favourite Scottish tune, song, recitation, band, performer, choir or whatever send an e-mail to andyrossbw@aol.com
November 5 bonfire
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:
ONE WORD RIDDLE:
Never in a million years would I have come up with the answer. What if
this was the only question on the exam paper to pass your English
Exam. Would you pass? What nine letter word in the English language
is still a word when you remove a letter one by one – until you’re
down to a one letter word?
if I gave you the word can you remove one letter at a time and still leave an English word with 8,7,6,5,4,3,2 and 1 letter? The 9 letter word is STARTLING
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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.
I start a new job in Seoul next week. I thought it was a good Korea move.
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
Wigtown Bay at sunset
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 380 subscribers (up 2!) 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 …..!
Harvest Moon over the Wallace Monument, Stirling
Pythagorean theorem: 24 words.
Lord’s prayer: 66 words.
Archimedes’ Principle: 67 words.
10 Commandments: 179 words.
Gettysburg address: 286 words.
US Declaration of Independence : 1,300 words.
US Constitution with all 27 Amendments: 7,818 words.
EU regulations on the sale of cabbage: 26,911 words.
Duncan ceilidh@rscdsvancouver.org