Ceilidh Dance newsletter – 2012/13 #16
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!
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 quite a few responses with the majority (one even with picture attached) saying it is the road that goes over the mountains of the Trotternish peninsula north of Portree in the area of Quiraing on the Isle of 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 even easier! An unusual rock pillar.
An Sgor, Meall Garbh, Mrall a Bharr & Carn Mairg
I am going to be challenged with spelling some of the names of the pictures this week. The Gaelic readers will be writing with the errors!
We went along to the show “Christmas in Kerrisdale” put on by the Inverglen Dancers and it was very enjoyable to see the glow of excitement and the sparkling eyes of the little ones. Of course the older ones looked happy too and had much better footwork but it is always the wee ones that steal the show. There was a good audience of parents, grandparents as well as a few Branch members. Thanks to Denise who lent her CD player as Sandra had forgotten hers in Abbotsford. Next year we must arrange for a better sound system as this show deserves all our support.
As I write this I am thinking of all those who are having a really grand time at the Gleneagles Ball today. We were very sorry to have to miss this wonderful event but I am sure everything will have gone very well and I will look forward to all the glowing reports.
The readership of, or at least the number of subscribers to, this newsletter has gone up to 386. Can you all help me to get it above the 400 mark by the end of the year? You just have to get 14 friends to sign up!! 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
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 ==============================================================
I’ll leave this fun link for another week which everyone will enjoy playing with:
Shake the Ball… https://www.draftfcb.com/holiday2011/
““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““
Men Are Just Happier People
ARGUMENTS
A woman has the last word in any argument.
Anything a man says after that is the beginning of a new argument
FUTURE
A woman worries about the future until she gets a husband.
A man never worries about the future until he gets a wife.
Angus Glens
The first week in December has gone already what on earth did I do?
Sunday was the office Christmas party – great turkey dinner with all the trimmings and more!
Monday Tams practice at night
Tuesday Went to the office, actually did some work, including the USCS payroll then on to the USCS to pay bills etc., did some more chores then off to the last West End class of the year.
Wednesday Did some book work at home and later rushed Margaret up to Guildford to check out the specials. At night it was the AGM of the USCS (United Scottish Cultural Society which manages the Scottish Cultural Centre) which was preceded by a Special General meeting to pass some bye-laws and followed by the normal monthly meeting. There was a quorum but not much more. The nominating committee could not find anyone who was willing to be the Vice President. All in all a very poor showing of interest in the Centre which we are very lucky to have. The Scottish groups, who own the shares in the building company, are using the facilities less and less so we are very fortunate that we have an excellent Manager and staff who fill the rooms etc. The running costs of the building are quite high so we really need all the rentals we can get.
Thursday I had Physio then wrote some Christmas cards, went to the Post Office to mail the overseas cards so I would not have to pay the HST on the stamps then we went to Oakridge to check things out there and it was Dem practice at night
Friday Thought I might be needed at the weekly soup kitchen but on arriving was told all was well so did a bit of shopping and later In the evening we had the West End Christmas dinner at Denise & Stewart’s where we had another superior meal and lots of great chatter.
Saturday Caught up with some e-mails, pre-recorded soccer games, took our neighbour to see the “Life of Pi”
Sunday Got the tree up and the lights working – Margaret is busy decorating it; drafted the newsletter and then we will watch Masterpiece Theatre or some other similar TV show.
Events happening in the next two weeks or so include:
The Branch class Ceilidh tomorrow night and Glenayre’s Christmas Party on Tuesday – all are invited to both – details below.
See “Coming Events” below for all information
Balquidder Braes
“Traditionally, most of Australia’s imports come from overseas.”
–Keppel Enderbery
COMING EVENTS IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS –
| 2012 | |
| 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) |
| Jan 4/6 | Twelfth Night Masked Ball & Retreat in Galveston Texas — www.twelfthnight-maskedball.org The event co-chair is Judi Hallenbeck who used to dance & teach in WA. She suggests a cruise to follow!! |
| Jan 12 | Bellingham monthly dance |
| Jan 14 | Vancouver Branch class re-starts |
| Jan 19 | Vancouver Branch Burns Supper in the Scottish Cultural Centre, 8886 Hudson Street, Vancouver — Bar 6:00 p.m. Dinner 7:00 p.m. — music by the Tartan Players — tickets $55 can be bought through club reps., patcavers@shaw.ca or through Paypal on the Branch website — www.rscdsvancouver.org |
| Jan 26 | Tam O’Shanter Dancers Burns Supper, Star of the Sea Hall, White Rock – Tickets $52 from any Tam or by e-mailing me at duncanmackenzie@telus.net or by phone 604-536-9481 |
| Feb 1 | 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.
Bantaskine Park
When Insults Had Class
These glorious insults are from an era before the English language got boiled down to 4-letter words.
“He had delusions of adequacy.” – Walter Kerr
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
God’s Pharmacy! Amazing!
Figs are full of seeds and hang in twos when they grow. Figs increase the mobility of male sperm and increase the numbers of Sperm as well to overcome male sterility.
A= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Beinn Alligin
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.
Ben A’an
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
Ben Nevis & Loch Eil
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:
If you break me I do not stop working,
If you touch me I may be snared,
If you lose me nothing will matter.
Answer: The heart
This week:
Until I am measured
I am not known,
Yet how you miss me
When I have flown.
===========================================================
Clach Leathad & meall a’Bhuiridh from Lochan na h’Adlaise
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 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 walking in a cemetery this morning and saw a bloke hiding behind a gravestone. “Morning.” I said. “No” he replied, “just having a pee.”
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 386 subscribers (up another 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.
A man and woman were having dinner in a fine restaurant. They were gazing lovingly at each other and holding hands. Their waitress, taking another order at a table a few steps away, suddenly noticed the man slowly sliding down his chair and under the table and under the tablecloth, but the woman acted unconcerned.
The waitress watched as the man slid all the way down his chair and out of sight under the tablecloth. Still, the woman appeared calm and unruffled, apparently unaware her dining companion had disappeared. The waitress went over to the table and said to the woman, “Pardon me, ma’am, but I think your husband just slid under the table.
The woman calmly looked up at her and said, “No, he didn’t. He just walked in..”
Thanks hope to see you at one of the parties this week or at the Betwixt & Between or somewhere nice. Enjoy yourselves – come Scottish Country Dancing – for it is good for your health and you never know you just might …..!
Coaltown of Balgonie
May your troubles be less, may your blessings be more,
and may nothing but happiness come through your door.
Duncan ceilidh@rscdsvancouver.org