Ceilidh Dance newsletter – 2012/13 #17
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!
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 only one response but I am sure on investigation that it was correct in saying it is the Old Man of Storr and so have labelled it as such. 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 the easiest one yet!
Oh I know it is not officially winter yet – another week – but we had some snow yesterday. Fortunately it did not lie where we were or are. Anyway this week’s pictures are mostly winter scenes,
Lots of parties last week, all different and all great fun. Monday the Dem Team were invited to the Branch class Ceilidh and we were well entertained and enjoyed dancing with everyone. As Rebecca said we are really just another Branch class so it was nice to be asked to join the other Branch class dancers.
Tuesday we went along to the Glenayre clubs party and joined about 90 other dancers in a great evening of dance and FOOD! Wednesday it was our own club party at White Rock and then on Thursday after nearly 2 hours of hard work Rebecca let the Dem Team have a wee party. Friday was the Tam O’Shanter party at a Greek Restaurant at the Langley Airport – good food, great company – and last night we were invited to a house party in Vancouver where we ate and chatted the night away.
Classes are all over (well the Tam O’Shanters have one last practice tomorrow night) until 2013 but of course there is still one more dance in 2012. The annual Betwixt and Between Dance is on Friday, December 28 at 7:30 in the Scottish Cultural Centre with music by Mary Ross from Victoria (well Mary is from Victoria but she will be here in person on the 28th with her accordion.) The dance, which starts at 7:30 p.m., costs $15 but it is FREE to all RSCDS Members!!
The readership of, or at least the number of subscribers to, this newsletter has gone up by two to 388. Can you all help me to get it above the 400 mark by the end of the year? You just have to get 12 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
A recent article in the *Express & Star* reported that a woman has sued her local hospital, saying that after her husband was treated there recently, he had lost all interest in sex.
A hospital spokesman replied, “The man was actually admitted in Ophthalmology – all we did was correct his eyesight…”
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 a few weeks 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 really enjoyed this link – very wondrous, beautiful and and educational too:
https://www.cornell.edu/video/?VideoID=2398
““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““
Men Are Just Happier People
SUCCESS
· A successful man is one who makes more money than his wife can spend.
· A successful woman is one who can find such a man.
MARRIAGE
· A woman marries a man expecting he will change, but he doesn’t.
· A man marries a woman expecting that she won’t change, but she does.ARGUMENTS
I have already chronicled my life this past week (well the interesting bits anyway!). Right now as I write this week’s newsletter I am listening to the latest Andy Ross Ceilidh radio programme from Scotland, there is a link further down the newsletter, but my thoughts keep drifting to the terrible event last Thursday in Newtown, Conn. It was/is quite dreadful – 20 innocent wee kids killed needlessly. Not a whole lot we can do but pray for comfort to the grieving parents.
Events happening in 2012 – well there is only one locally:
The Betwixt and Between Dance on Friday, December 28 at 7:30 p.m. in the Scottish Cultural Centre – details below.
See “Coming Events” below for all information
“If somebody has a bad heart, they can plug this jack in at night as they go to bed and it will monitor their heart throughout the night. And the next morning, when they wake up dead, there’ll be a record.”
— Mark S. Fowler, FCC Chairman
COMING EVENTS IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS –
2012 | |
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 7 – 10 | All classes will be starting up — see www.rscdsvancouver.org for a list of locations and times — everyone including beginners welcome. Do come along it is fun and great exercise for mind and body. |
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 Vancouver Fiddle Orchestra — tickets $55 can be bought through club reps., pcavers@shaw.ca or through Paypal on the Branch website — www.rscdsvancouver.org |
Jan 26 | Tam O’Shanter Dancers 19th Annual Burns Supper, “Burns: A National Symbol.” Star of the Sea Hall, 15262 Pacific Avenue, White Rock – tickets $52 from any member or phone 604-536-9481 e-mail duncanmackenzie@telus.net Doors/Bar 5:30; Supper 6:30; Dress informal |
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 January 11) 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.
A lesson to be learned from typing the wrong E-mail address:
A Minneapolis couple decided to go to Florida to thaw out during a particularly icy winter. They planned to stay at the same hotel where they spent their honeymoon 20 years before. Because of their hectic schedules, it was difficult to coordinate their travel schedules. So, the husband left Minneapolis and flew to Florida on Friday, and his wife was flying down the following day.
The husband checked into the hotel, and unlike years ago, there was a computer in his room, and he decided to send an email to his wife. However, he accidentally left out one letter in her E-mail address, and without noticing his error, sent the email to the wrong address.
Meanwhile … Somewhere in Houston .. A widow had just returned home from her husband’s funeral. He was a minister who was called home to glory after suffering a heart attack. The widow decided to check her E-mail, expecting messages from relatives and friends. After reading the first message, she screamed and then fainted. The widow’s son rushed into the room, found his mother on the floor, and then glanced up and saw the computer screen which read:
To: My Loving Wife
Date: Friday, October 13, 2005
Subject: I have arrived!
Dearest Love:
I know you are surprised to hear from me. They have computers here now, and you are allowed to send E-mail to your loved ones.
I have just arrived and have been checked in. I see that everything has been prepared for your arrival tomorrow, and look forward to seeing you then.
Hope your journey is as uneventful as mine was.
P.S. It sure is hot down here!
When Insults Had Class
These glorious insults are from an era before the English language got boiled down to 4-letter words.
“He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire.” – Winston Churchill
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God’s Pharmacy! Amazing!
Sweet Potatoes look like the pancreas and actually balance the glycemic index of diabetics.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
The next Ceilidh Dance is Friday, January 4, 2013 – that is the NOT last Friday of the month! You have some 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.
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
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
Irvine Harbour looking to Arran
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
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Last week:
Until I am measured
I am not known,
Yet how you miss me
When I have flown.
Answer: Time
This week:
I drive men mad
For love of me,
Easily beaten,
Never free.
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Kenmore Hill
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. The Ceilidh Dances are a great way to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, etc. Invite all your friends along. Contact me if you will have a group of 12 or more and we can give them a discount!!!
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.
KEEP THE GRAY MATTER ACTIVE-TEASERS
1. Johnny’s mother had three children. The first child was named April. The second child was named May. What was the third child’s name?
2. There is a clerk at the butcher shop, he is five feet ten inches tall and he wears size 13 sneakers. What does he weigh?
3. Before Mt. Everest was discovered, what was the highest mountain in the world?
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 388 subscribers (up another 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.
Here are the Answers
1. Johnny’s mother had three children. The first child was named April. The second child was named May. What was the third child’s name?
Answer: Johnny of course
2. There is a clerk at the butcher shop, he is five feet ten inches tall, and he wears size 13 sneakers. What does he weigh?
Answer: Meat.
3. Before Mt. Everest was discovered, what was the highest mountain in the world?
Answer: Mt. Everest; it just wasn’t discovered yet. [You’re not very good at this are you?]
ITALIAN BOY’S CONFESSION
‘Bless me Father, for I have sinned. I have been with a loose girl’..
The priest asks, ‘Is that you, little Joey Pagano ?’
‘Yes, Father, it is.’
‘And who was the girl you were with?’
‘I can’t tell you, Father. I don’t want to ruin her reputation’.
“Well, Joey, I’m sure to find out her name sooner or later so you may as well tell me now. Was it Tina Minetti?’
‘I cannot say.’
‘Was it Teresa Mazzarelli?’
‘I’ll never tell.’
‘Was it Nina Capelli?’
‘I’m sorry, but I cannot name her.’
‘Was it Cathy Piriano?’
‘My lips are sealed.’
‘Was it Rosa DiAngelo, then?’
‘Please, Father, I cannot tell you.’
The priest sighs in frustration. ‘You’re very tight lipped, and I admire that. But you’ve sinned and have to atone. You cannot be an altar boy now for 4 months. Now you go and behave yourself.’
Joey walks back to his pew, and his friend Franco slides over and whispers, ‘What’d you get?’
‘Four months vacation and five good leads.’
Thanks hope to see you 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 …..!
May your troubles be less, may your blessings be more,
and may nothing but happiness come through your door.
Duncan ceilidh@rscdsvancouver.org