Ceilidh Dance newsletter – 2012/13 #24

There are some very good pictures taken at the January 4, 2013 Ceilidh Dance which have been posted on the RSCDS Vancouver Branch Facebook page. If you do not want your picture on that page please contact web@rscdsvancouver.org. The link for the pictures is:

www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.316825198419573.56421.149674745134620&type=3

The next Ceilidh Dance will be on Friday, February 22, 2013. Yes, it is for once the last Friday of the month and the Branch Demonstration Team are planning a visit and will give a short performance then join everyone else in the Ceilidh dancing.

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Proofreading is a dying art, wouldn’t you say?

Man Kills Self Before Shooting Wife and Daughter

Something Went Wrong in Jet Crash, Expert Says

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The Zoomer show is coming to town February 23 and 24th. Would you like to volunteer at our booth for an hour?   Email ccmusic@telus.net for any slot between 10 -5 Saturday, 11-5 Sunday.   There will be a DVD showing our dancing, pamphlets to hand out, and lots of visitors to talk to about our wonderful hobby!

I am also delighted to announce that for the Ceilidh Dance on March 22 we shall be dancing to the music of Gordon Shand and his band who will be in Vancouver for the weekend.

Registration for the Love to Dance wokshop and dance is now open. You can register and pay online at www.rscdsvancouver.org You are encouraged to register soon as this event has been oversubscribed in the past few years.

Tickets for the Heather Ball at the Gizeh Temple on March 23 with Gordon Shand and his Band from Scotland are also available online at www.rscdsvancouver.org

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Needed: a goodly number of enthusiastic Scottish dancers for Vancouver’s CeltFest parade Sunday March 17th.  Gathering: about 10 am on the Granville bridge/Howe Street.

Needed: Sturdy street shoes, visible tartan, warm clothes (rain resistant!)
Dance: a simple routine of dance steps we can practice while waiting for the 11 am start.

Please email ccmusic@telus.net to indicate your interest. Let’s show those Irish we can muster a good crowd too!

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WHERE IS IT?


Another of these pictures of Scotland that I have been sent without any note as to where they are. Once again last week’s picture brought absolutely no responses. You can look back at last week’s and most prior newsletters by going to our website at www.vancouverceilidh.org.

Hopefully at least one reader will recognize this week’s photo which has a definite viewpoint and send me an e-mail – ceilidh@rscdsvancouver.org

Loch Eck

The final “Big Burns” demonstration was last night.   When I say “big” it means there were at least 24 dancers involved.   We were dancing for the Vancouver Police Pipe Band and I think our performance went well and there was loud applause for us.   The Pipe bands came on after us along with the Joan Murray Dancers.   The band split into two bands for the first part of their performance and the six well synchronized Highland dancers danced to one of the bands then both bands came on with, I think 14 pipers plus the drum corps.   Loud and stirring.   Some of us had danced in the afternoon at a senior’s home where they always enjoy the lively music, the colour and of course, the kilts!!

We have one more performance on Wednesday then we get to have two weeks off!!   Of course the Tam O’Shanter Dancers keep going and they have two demonstrations on Thursday.

After the Tam’s Burns Supper it seemed as if many of us had left things behind or lost various items.   There were many e-mails flying around seeking help.   Almost all items were recovered and returned to their rightful owners however it prompted Hugh to send me the following:

Where did I put it? Where did it go?
Did I leave it behind? Did I leave it at home?
Is it at my seat In that lecture hall?
Did somebody steal it? Imagine the gall!
I am sure that I grabbed it
When I hurried out I remember it clearly Without a doubt…
But wait…I don’t know… Did it ditch me in Stats?
Did it jump out of my bag? My memory…oh drats!
My belongings seem to have a mind of their own
They look at my pack and they seem to groan
“I’m not going in there… If I may be so blunt –
It’s so dark and cramped even at the front”
“I’ll just wait right here, this is such a fun game
The scavenger hunt that drives people insane
Where did I put it?  Where should I look?
The classroom? the office? – Where is that damned book?

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CeltFest tickets are now on sale -Check out all the festival details at: www.CelticFestVancouver.com

A new website for kilts and accessories. Prices seem excellent, no idea of quality or trustworthiness though: www.aglowmusichouse.com

This newsletter will go out to 397 plus there are 3 more who are sitting waiting for them to accept the confirmation e-mail.   If only these three would confirm their subscriptions then we would have got to the 400 mark.  Once again it is “maybe next week??”    Please pass along the website to your friends and maybe they will subscribe – www.vancouverceilidh.org


Note: the Celtic Treasure Chest still has some left over Christmas specials. – For the exact hours and more info see www.celtictreasurechest.ca. Just say you read about it in this newsletter.

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There is a message from the 2013 Highland Games Committee that they are very much in need of volunteers for a variety of positions.   Please contact Joan at jdrabyk@shaw.ca if you can help in any way.

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If anyone has any suggestions or complaints regarding the newsletter please let me know – ceilidh@rscdsvancouver.org ==============================================================

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WHY PEOPLE MARRY AND OTHERS DON’T
Here are some quotes to inspire you….)
The great question… which I have not been able to answer… is,
“What does a woman want?

Sigmund Freud


Loch Harport


Events happening in February include  the Love to Dance Workshop on February 16, the Ceilidh Dance on Friday the 22nd, the Stave Falls Scottish Night on the 23rd and the Zoomer Show on the 23rd and 24th.   Please see “Coming Events” below for all information.
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Here is a report I received regarding the SFU event on January 25:

The 2nd Annual Burns Day 2013 marathon reading held last Friday, Jan. 25 was a tremendous success! Not only did we beat our record from last year, but we exceeded our goal of 5 hours–we set a new world record of 5 hours and 41 minutes of reading and singing!! It was an amazing event, and a real testament to Burns’s legacy and to his continuing presence in Vancouver.

Thank you so much to all of you who came down to share your favourite Burns piece or just to join us for the fun.  Thanks as well to all our volunteers who worked so hard before and during the day.  And the biggest thanks to Tricia Barker who performed the amazing feat of organizing and publicizing the marathon.  

Check out our website in the next little while for photos and more information about the day.  

 Dr. Leith Davis
Professor, Department of English
Director, Centre for Scottish Studies

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This year’s TAC Summer School of Scottish Country Dancing will be held in Mount Allison University, New Brunswick. Registration for all levels from beginner to advanced is now open and information can be found at www.tac-rscds.org

 

Loch Lomond – trust he threw it back!

COMING EVENTS IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS –

2013  
Feb 8 – 10 Edmonton Caledonian Branch Annual Workshop and Ball with teachers Pat Coyle, Canada; Janet Johnston, Scotland and Alan Twhigg, USA and music by Scottish Accent.   Information and registration forms at www.rscdsedmonton.com/content/2013-43rd-annual-workshop-and-ball
Feb  9 Bellingham monthly dance
Feb  9 RSCDS San Francisco Branch Valentine’s Ball with music by Andy Imbrie and The Reel of Seven.  All info from  sharon.stewart@comcast.net
Feb 15 – 17 Aloha Winter Workshop in Hawaii with teacher’s Bruce Herbold, David Newitt and Patti Cobb.   Music will be provided by the band The Humuhumunkunukuapua’a.   Registration deadline — January 15
Feb 16 50th Tartan Ball in the Royal York Hotel, Toronto.   Mark the date; info www.rscdstoronto.org
Feb 16 Love to Dance Scottish Workshop and Tea Dance at the Scottish Cultural Centre, 8886 Hudson Street, Vancouver — check on the website for info and registration forms.   Note that this event SOLD OUT last year so don’t wait.   Call 604-922-6842 for info
Feb 22 Ceilidh Dance at the Scottish Cultural Centre — class at 7 dance 8 — 11 Admission $10 (students $8)
Feb 23 Stave Falls Scottish Dancers 37th Annual  Scottish Night Pitt Meadows Heritage Hall 12460 Harris Road Doors Open 6:00pm Scottish Dinner 7:00pm  Entertainment 8:30-9:30pm Dancing 9:30-12:00am
Guest Pipe Band: White Spot Pipe Band Tickets $35.00 each
Phone: 604-462-9935
Email:
stavefallsdancer@aol.com   (Guests must be 19 years of age or older)
Feb 23 – 24 Zoomer Show in the Vancouver Convention Centre.   The Demonstration Team will perform once each day nut we need volunteers to man the booth.   Please contact Cathrine at ccmusic@telus.net — only 1 hour shift — of course Cathrine wont stop you from volunteering for more shifts!!
Feb 24 — Mar 1 RSCDS Winter School, Atholl Palace Hotel, Pitlochry, Scotland with a wonderful list of teachers and musicians.  A few spots left applications and info  https://www.rscds.org/shop.html?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=257&category_id=9
Mar  2 Burnaby Dance

 

See website www.vancouverceilidh.org for a more complete list.



Seattle Branch announces the start of their Challenge Class which are held on the 2nd Friday each month in the upper building, Room 7, Phinney Neighbourhood Association, 4532 Phinney Avenue, North Seattle at 7:30 p.m. Info at www.rscds-seattle.org

Next class February 8, 2013

1. Democracy must be something more than two wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for dinner.
— James Bovard, Civil Libertarian (1994)

2. Foreign aid might be defined as a transfer of money from poor people in rich countries to rich people in poor countries.— Douglas Casey, Classmate of Bill Clinton at Georgetown University

3. Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys.— P.J. O’Rourke, Civil Libertarian

 


Loch Lomond


When Insults Had Class
These glorious insults are from an era before the English language got boiled down to 4-letter words.

“I feel so miserable without you; it’s almost like having you here.” – Stephen Bishop

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A Pastor goes to the dentist for a set of false teeth. The first Sunday after he gets his new teeth, he talks for only eight minutes. The second Sunday, he talks for only ten minutes. The following Sunday, he talks for 2 hours and 48 minutes.
The congregation had to mob him to get him down from the pulpit and they asked him what happened.
The Pastor explains the first Sunday his gums hurt so bad he couldn’t talk for more than 8 minutes. The second Sunday his gums hurt too much to talk for more than 10 minutes. But, the third Sunday, he put his wife’s teeth in by mistake and he couldn’t shut up…

 

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Loch Lomond

The next Ceilidh Dance is Friday, February 22, 2013 and the Branch Demonstration Team will perform. You still have some time to spread the word about all the Ceilidh Dances as that is the best (and cheapest) form of advertising. 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 following Ceilidh Dance is on March 22 (Easter is the last weekend of March) and there will be a guest band playing – Gordon Shand & his Band who are coming to Vancouver for the weekend.   This will be a treat which you should not miss.

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 Lomond – well it is a big loch!

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

 


Loch Loyne

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 well any time is a great time to do it. 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

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Riddles (answer next week)

Last week:
Glittering points
That downward thrust,
Sparkling spears
That never rust.

Answer:   Icicle

This week:
You heard me before,
Yet you hear me again,
Then I die,
‘Till you call me again.


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Loch Lubnaig


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, February 22, 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

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.


Loch Morlich

Observations On Growing Older

~Your husband sleeps better on a lounge chair with the TV blaring than he does in bed. It’s Called “Pre-sleep”.

~You miss the days when everything worked with just an “ON” and “OFF” Switch…

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 397 subscribers (the same as last week and ever so close to the 400 mark!) 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.

Girlie Wisdom!

Just when I was getting used to yesterday, along came today..

Sometimes I think I understand everything, and then I regain consciousness.

 

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Loch Morlich

Enjoy yourselves – come Scottish Country Dancing – for it is good for your health and you never know you just might …..!

May your troubles be one, may your blessings be more,
and
may nothing but happiness come through your door.


Duncan ceilidh@rscdsvancouver.org