Ceilidh Dance newsletter – 2012/13 #15
The next Ceilidh Dance is not until next year!! The end of December is always so busy so we start 2013 with a bang and a Ceilidh Dance on Friday, January 4, 2013. We hope everyone will be trying their best to come along and to bring all their friends as well. The timing is great as the dance will let you work off all those goodies that were consumed over the Festive Season!
Hope everyone had a Happy St. Andrew’s day last Friday.
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 will file it away and maybe try again another week. 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 easier! A pretty high pass and some unusual mountainscapes.
Loch Melfort
The Ceilidh attendance was the highest it has been for a while with 90+ coming along for another fun (not quite riotous) evening with the music by our great Ceilidh Band “Calanais.” There was a good mix of ages but the average age was MUCH younger than we get for RSCDS dances/classes. I wonder if we offered a class just for young people, taught by one of our younger teachers whether that might work. There is some interest – I will have to make the suggestion to the Branch. Maybe we could take names at the next Ceilidh and see what night and location would suit most people?
I hear that the Tam O”Shanter’s St. Andrew’s Ceilidh also went well. It is unfortunate these two events are always on the same night. I am sure the Children & Family Christmas dance also went well especially if you know who came along!
The readership of, or at least the number of subscribers to, this newsletter has gone up to 385. 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 chance to get your tickets for the Gleneagles Ball – see information below.
The Simon Fraser University School of Scottish Studies sent me this:
I thought those with an interest in Scottish Studies might want to know about this plan to inscribe a contemporary poem in the Rotunda of the Bannockburn monument. You can vote on which of 10 poems you think would work best.
https://www.battleofbannockburn.com/Rotunda-Beam-Inscription/
Note: the Celtic Treasure Chest has some Christmas specials and a note that until Christmas the Dunbar store will be open 7 days a week. – for the exact hours and more info see www.celtictreasurechest.ca.
Just say you read about it in this newsletter.
If you missed the concert last week featuring Sir Paul here is a link for “Mull of Kintyre” with Paul and the Delta Police Pipe Band:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dI8fRjmeinw
If anyone has any suggestions or complaints regarding the newsletter please let me know – ceilidh@rscdsvancouver.org ==============================================================
Here is another fun link which everyone will enjoy playing with:
Shake the Ball… https://www.draftfcb.com/holiday2011/
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Men Are Just Happier People
| MONEY A man will pay $2 for a $1 item he needs.· · A woman will pay $1 for a $2 item that she doesn’t need but it’s on sale. |
| BATHROOMS · A man has six items in his bathroom: toothbrush and toothpaste, shaving cream, razor, a bar of soap, and a towel. · The average number of items in the typical woman’s bathroom is 337. A man would not be able to identify more than 20 of these items. |
Glasgow sunrise
Another very lazy week:
Monday I did some bookkeeping etc. for USCS then went to Tams practice at night
Tuesday I had to go into town for some chores then at night our West End class went on a field trip to the Fort Langley St. Andrew’s Dance. There were 18 of us and about the same came from Glenayre. It was a very enjoyable evening with a good programme and great music from Mary Ross. I was careful and walked most of the dances!
Wednesday The Demonstration Team was dancing at a seniors home in Vancouver
Thursday I had Physio then had to go to the liquor store and Costco to stock up for the Ceilidh then it was Dem practice at night
Friday I helped set up for the Tams St. Andrew’s Ceilidh and then went off to run the Ceilidh in Vancouver
Saturday Awakened with a sore throat (too much talking at the Ceilidh!) then the Tams were dancing at a seniors home in North Surrey and Margaret and I took our older neighbour to see James Bond
Sunday Church, drafting the newsletter and then we are off to my office Christmas party tonight.
So, who doesn’t like chocolate? The following is thanks to Kay:
YOUR AGE BY CHOCOLATE MATH
DON’T CHEAT BY SCROLLING DOWN FIRST!
It takes less than a minute .
Work this out as you read .
Be sure you don’t read the bottom until you’ve worked it out!
This is not one of those waste of time things, it’s fun.
1. First of all, pick the number of times a week that you would like to have chocolate (more than once but less than 10)
2. Multiply this number by 2 (just to be bold)
3. Add 5
4. Multiply it by 50 — I’ll wait while you get the calculator
5. If you have already had your birthday this year add 1762 ..
If you haven’t, add 1761..
6… Now subtract the four digit year that you were born.
You should have a three digit number
The first digit of this was your original number
(i.e., how many times you want to have chocolate each week).
The next two numbers are
YOUR AGE! (Oh YES, it is!!!!!)
THIS IS THE ONLY YEAR (2012) IT WILL EVER WORK, SO SPREAD IT AROUND WHILE IT LASTS.
Events happening in the next two weeks or so include:
A Scottish Christmas in Kerrisdale on the 8th; the Gleneagles Ball on the 9th; the Branch class Ceilidh on the 10th and Glenayre’s Christmas Party on the 11th!!!
See “Coming Events” below for all information
Rainbow in Glencoe
“Your food stamps will be stopped effective March 1992 because we received notice that you passed away. May God bless you. You may reapply if there is a change in your circumstances.”
–Department of Social Services, Greenville , South Carolina
COMING EVENTS IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS –
| 2012 | |
| Dec 8 | Inverglen Scottish Dancers & Kerrisdale Community Centre present “A Scottish Christmas in Kerrisdale” at 2 p.m. in the Seniors Centre, Kerrisdale. Admission is free (by donation) and there will be a raffle. |
| 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. |
| Dec 10 | Vancouver Branch class party and ceilidh — 7:30 — 10:00 p.m. $6 drop in |
| Dec 11 | Glenayre Christmas Party at St Laurence Church Hall, 825 St. Laurence Street, Coquitlam — 7:30 p.m. $8 |
| Dec 28 | Betwixt and Between dance at the Scottish Cultural Centre, 8886 Hudson Street, Vancouver at 7:30 p.m. with music by Mary Ross — Admission free to RSCDS Members – $15 for non members. A seasonal tradition sponsored in part by the Mary Wattum Fund. Please bring a small offering of seasonal fare to share at the supper table. |
| 2013 | |
| Jan 4 | Ceilidh Dance at the Scottish Cultural Centre — class at 7 dance 8 — 11 Admission $10 (students $8) |
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.
Achnasheen
When Insults Had Class
These glorious insults are from an era before the English language got boiled down to 4-letter words.
A member of Parliament to Disraeli: “Sir, you will either die on the gallows or of some unspeakable disease.”
“That depends, Sir,” said Disraeli, “whether I embrace your policies or your mistress.”
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God’s Pharmacy! Amazing!
Avocados, Eggplant and Pears target the health and function of the womb and cervix of the female – they look just like these organs. Today’s research shows that when a woman eats one avocado a week, it balances hormones, sheds unwanted birth weight, and prevents cervical cancers. And how profound is this? It takes exactly nine (9) months to grow an avocado from blossom to ripened fruit. There are over 14,000 photolytic chemical constituents of nutrition in each one of these foods (modern science has only studied and named about 141 of them).
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Achiltibue
The next Ceilidh Dance is Friday, January 4, 2013 – that is the NOT last Friday of the month! You have therefore time to spread the word about all the Ceilidh Dances as that is the best (and cheapest) form of advertising. What a great way to start the New Year – bring all your friends to the Ceilidh Dance. Classes won’t start until the following week. 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
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.
Angus
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
Aberdeen Railway Station
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 JANUARY is a great time to do it as all the classes will be starting 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
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Riddles (answer next week)
Last week: All about, but cannot be seen, Can be captured, cannot be held, No throat, but can be heard.
Answer: The wind
This week:
If you break me I do not stop working,
If you touch me I may be snared,
If you lose me nothing will matter.
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Anstruther
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, January 4, 2013 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 celebrate the New Year. 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 —
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 was driving this morning when I saw an AA van parked up. The driver was sobbing uncontrollably and looked very miserable. I thought to myself ‘that guy’s heading for a breakdown’.
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
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 385 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.
If you had purchased £1,000 of shares in Delta Airlines one year ago,
You would have £49.00 today.
If you had purchased £1,000 of shares in AIG one year ago, you would
Have £33.00 today.
If you had purchased £1,000 of shares in Lehman Brothers one year ago,
You would have £0.00 today.
But, if you had purchased£1,000 worth of beer one year ago, drank all
The beer, then turned in the aluminum cans for recycling refund, you
Would have received a £214.00.
Based on the above, the best current investment plan is to drink
Heavily & recycle.
A recent study found that the average Briton walks about 900 miles a
Year.
Another study found that Britons drink, on average, 22 gallons of
Alcohol a year.
That means that, on average, Britons get about 41 miles to the gallon!
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 …..!
Ben Wyvis
May your troubles be less, may your blessings be more,
and may nothing but happiness come through your door.
Duncan ceilidh@rscdsvancouver.org