Ceilidh Dance newsletter – 2012/13 #25
WHERE IS IT?
Yet another of these pictures of Scotland that I have been sent without any note as to where they are. Last week’s picture brought, as expected, numerous responses as many sharp eyes could read the signs. It was, of course, Tobermory and the distillery. So this picture has been duly labelled. You can look back at last week’s and most prior newsletters by going to our website at www.vancouverceilidh.org. Now this week’s photo might be a mite harder as there are no written signs but hopefully someone will know where it is – send me an e-mail – ceilidh@rscdsvancouver.org
There were 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
Note: Last week I inadvertently referred to the upcoming Celtic Festival Vancouver as CeltFest. CeltFest/ CeltFest Vancouver Island are the registered names of the annual Festival on Vancouver Island–not Vancouver’s festival. I apologise for this error and any confusion it may have caused.
The next Ceilidh Dance is on this 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.
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Proofreading is a dying art, wouldn’t you say?
Miners Refuse to Work after Death
Juvenile Court to Try Shooting Defendant
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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.
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
“““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““
Needed: a goodly number of enthusiastic Scottish dancers for Vancouver’s Celtic Festival 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!
““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““`
as promised this is Culla Bay
What a great workshop some 50 dancers enjoyed yesterday at “Love to Dance Scottish” with teachers Mary Murray and Simon Scott. We are indeed fortunate to have these two (and other) world class teachers in our own backyard and they showed off their skills with some very useful and insightful pointers on how to improve our dancing. They both inspire us to aim higher and I am sure all the students went home at the end of the two classes with, not only more enthusiasm, but also a desire to try our very best. Thank you Mary and Simon. Now I would be really remiss if I did not also mention the musicians we had for the classes. Julie played on her keyboard for the intermediate/advanced class while Deborah on fiddle and Louise on keyboard ( a last minute replacement for a sick Cathrine) played for the beginner classes. Live music is such a treat and our musicians are some of the best.
The day started with muffins and coffee (well I heard they were on offer but I never did get upstairs all day) and then we had a fun but not too energetic warm up class with Katherine to Abba and other modern, non Scottish music that had us swinging to a very different drummer. Then we split into two classes where, as I have already commented, Mary and Simon put us through our paces starting with reels and jigs and ending with strathspey although we actually ended with a jig so we could all be sure we were able to join in the first dance on the afternoon programme. Classes were followed by bring your own lunch with, I heard, coffee, tea and maybe juice provided. Meanwhile the band were busy setting up in the main hall, tables and chairs were arranged and decorations, programmes, etc. were transforming the hall.
Promptly at 2 p.m. the afternoon Tea dance commenced and a the programme of dances proved to be just right as the floor was filled with dancers all afternoon. It was indeed a fun and interesting selection of dances but the music of the Tartan Players made us want to dance whenever we could. There were 12 dances including 4 more challenging ones and they all had lovely sets of tunes. Part way though the programme we had a break for some thank yous and then Frances Caruth was presented with a Branch Award for all the work she has done and continues to do for us all. A very well deserved honour.
Branch Awards are not given out lightly – I think they can only present one each year – and are the highest honour a Branch can grant. The RSCDS can award a Scroll which is to recognize individuals to have given not only to their local Branch but to the greater world of Scottish Country Dancing.
Some local budding teachers are taking classes which will allow them to become certified Scottish Country Dance teachers. It is a five part course and takes a few years to complete. Examiners come, perhaps from Scotland or other areas of North America. The local classes are taught by Mary Murray. Part of the training is learning to teach a class. So they need volunteers to make up a class. (For some reason these volunteers are called stooges.) If you are interested – it really is fun and educational – in volunteering to be a stooge please contact Jean Wagstaff at jeedwag@shaw.ca
Pat has asked me to make a plea for heather. She needs lots of different heather for the Heather Ball which is on March 23. If you have a source of heather please e-mail Pat at pcavers@shaw.ca as soon as possible and she will let you know when she would like it and where it should be delivered.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Tickets for Celtic Festival Vancouver are now on sale -Check out all the festival details at: https://www.celticfestvancouver.com/
A new website for kilts and accessories. Prices seem excellent, no idea of quality or trustworthiness though: www.aglowmusichouse.com
Hip, hip Hooray subscriptions are over the 400 mark at last. This newsletter will go out to 404 people in many cities, provinces & countries. Now my goal is to get to 500!! Please pass along the website to your friends and maybe they will subscribe – www.vancouverceilidh.org
Note: the Celtic Treasure Chest has some specials. – For the exact hours and more info see www.celtictreasurechest.ca. Just say you read about it in this newsletter.
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
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.
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
If anyone has any suggestions or complaints regarding the newsletter please let me know – ceilidh@rscdsvancouver.org ==============================================================
““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““
| WHY PEOPLE MARRY AND OTHERS DON’T Here are some quotes to inspire you….) “Some people ask the secret of our long marriage. We take time to go to a restaurant two times a week. A little candlelight, dinner, soft music and dancing. She goes Tuesdays, I go Fridays.” Henny Youngman |
and another view of Culla Bay
Events happening in February include the Ceilidh Dance on Friday the 22nd, the Stave Falls Scottish Night on the 23rd and the Zoomer Show on the 23rd and 24th. Note that tickets for the Heather Ball (to be held on March 23 in the Gizeh Temple with Gordon Shand and his Band) can be ordered and paid for online at www.rscdsvancouver.org Please see “Coming Events” below for all information.
“““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““
In Honour of Stupid People . . …
In case you needed further proof that the human race is doomed through stupidity, here are some actual label instructions on consumer goods.
On Boot’s Children Cough Medicine —
“Do not drive a car or operate machinery after taking this medication.”
(We could do a lot to reduce the rate of construction accidents if we could just get those 5 year-olds with head-colds off those bulldozers.)
On Marks &Spencer Bread Pudding —
“Product will be hot after heating.”
(…and you thought????…)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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 https://www.tac-rscds.org/
Rannoch Moor
COMING EVENTS IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS
| 2013 | |
| Feb 22 | Ceilidh Dance at the Scottish Cultural Centre — class at 7 dance 8 — 11 Admission $10 (students $8) with guest appearance from the Branch Demonstration Team |
| 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 – 7:30pm $20 – Confederation Centre, 4585 Albert Street, Burnaby Music: Vancouver Fiddle Orchestra |
| Mar 9 | Bellingham monthly dance |
| Mar 9 – 16 | CelticFest Vancouver 2013 — program guides are on the Street — pick one up to check everything out or go to: https://www.celticfestvancouver.com/schedule-tickets/2013/?utm_source=Copy+of+Email+Created+2013%2F01%2F16%2C+12%3A44+PM&utm_campaign=cfv2013&utm_medium=email |
| Mar 10 | White Rock spring workshop with Maureen Lyon in Sullivan Hall, 6303 152nd Street, Surrey $10 Advanced class 9:30 a.m. to noon; Intermediate and Beginner dancers 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. To register call or e-mail Laurie 604-944-6678 ljreel@telus.net or Gerda 604-531-4595 gerdab@shaw.ca |
| Mar 16 | Ceilidh for Cancer with the Vancouver Fiddle Orchestra and caller Duncan MacKenzie. 7:30 p.m. at the Scottish Cultural Centre, 8886 Hudson Street, Vancouver BC |
| Mar 17 | Celtic Parade Needed: a goodly number of enthusiastic Scottish dancers for Vancouver’s Celtic Festival parade Sunday March 17th. Gathering: about 10 am on the Granville bridge/Howe Street. Wear: 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! |
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 March 8, 2013
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
1. If you think health care is expensive now, wait until you see what it costs when it’s free!— P.J. O’Rourke
2. In general, the art of government consists of taking as much money as possible from one party of the citizens to give to the other. -Voltaire (1764)
3. Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn’t mean politics won’t take an interest in you!
— Pericles (430 B.C.)
Arran over the Firth of Clyde
When Insults Had Class
These glorious insults are from an era before the English language got boiled down to 4-letter words.
“I’ve just learned about his illness. Let’s hope it’s nothing trivial.” – Irvin S. Cobb
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Tired of constantly being broke & stuck in an unhappy marriage, a young husband decided to solve both problems by taking out a large insurance policy on his wife with himself as the beneficiary, and then arranging to have her killed.
A ‘friend of a friend’ put him in touch with a nefarious dark-side underworld figure who went by the name of ‘Artie.’ Artie then explained to the husband that his going price for snuffing out a spouse was $5,000.. The husband said he was willing to pay that amount, but that he wouldn’t have any cash on hand until he could collect his wife’s insurance money. Artie insisted on being paid at least something up front, so the man opened his wallet, displaying the single $1 coin that rested inside.
Artie sighed, rolled his eyes, & reluctantly agreed to accept the $1 as down payment for the dirty deed. A few days later, Artie followed the man’s wife to the local Safeway. There, he surprised her in the produce department & proceeded to strangle her with his gloved hands & as the poor unsuspecting woman drew her last breath & slumped to the floor……..
the manager of the produce department stumbled unexpectedly onto the murder scene.
Unwilling to leave any living witnesses behind, ol Artie had no choice but to strangle the produce manager as well. However, unknown to Artie, the entire proceedings were captured by the hidden security cameras & observed by the store’s security guard, who immediately called the police.
Artie was caught & arrested before he could even leave the store. Under intense questioning at the police station, Artie revealed the whole sordid plan, including his unusual financial arrangements with the hapless husband, who was also quickly arrested.
The next day in the newspaper, the headline declared …
‘ARTIE CHOKES 2 for $1.00 AT SAFEWAY!’
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Pathead
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.
Peebles
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
Pentland Hills
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
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Riddles (answer next week)
Last week:
Three lives have I.
Gentle enough to soothe the skin,
Light enough to caress the sky,
Hard enough to crack rocks.
Answer: water
This week:
At the sound of me, men may dream
Or stamp their feet
At the sound of me, women may laugh
Or sometimes weep
===========================================================
Quinaig
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, 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 – with performance by the Vancouver Branch Demonstration Team
March 22 – with live music by Gordon Shand & his Band from Scotland
April 26 – with performance by the Tam O’Shanter Dancers
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.
River Ayr
Observations On Growing Older
~You notice everything sold in stores is “sleeveless”!!!!
~What used to be freckles are now liver spots.
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 404 subscribers (at long last we are over 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!
The trouble with some women is that they get all excited about nothing and then they marry him.
““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““`
Ruthven Barracks
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