Ceilidh Dance newsletter – next Ceilidh Dance Friday, April 27, 2012
Daffodil field near Montrose
The new format has been receiving positive comments so I hope everyone is happy and that you are receiving the newsletter without any problems. Last week, as I noted in a very condensed newsletter, I was away but everything should be back to normal again with the pictures and jokes etc.
If anyone has any suggestions or complaints regarding the newsletter please let me know – ceilidh@rscdsvancouver.org
PLEASE NOTE: Despite what has been listed elsewhere the Deep Cove Dance on Saturday, April 14 will be held at St. Catherine’s Church Hall, 1058 Ridgewood Drive, North Vancouver.
Come along to the early Tartan Day celebrations on Wednesday evening April 4 in the SFU Downtown Campus starting at 7:30 p.m. – see more information under Coming Events below.
Are you 30ish or under? If so have you registered or checked out the 2012 Youth West Workshop website –www.youthweekendwest.com/ See more info on our webpage under events – www.vancouverceilidh.org
War does not determine who is right, it determines who is left.
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I had, or rather we had a very nice visit with our daughter in Los Angeles where they were thrilled to have rain! Fortunately only for one day although the other days were cloudy and cool. I did get a bit of sun while lunching at a beach restaurant which left my forehead peeling. We managed to re-visit the Getty and the Getty Villa both of which are always interesting and with some new exhibits. Unfortunately the gardens at the Getty were under repair so we were unable to get into them. We could only watch the workers from above. Of course that is what I should be doing on this beautiful sunny day but ……
About 80 folk came along to the Ceilidh Dance last Friday and we had a lot of fun. The Dem team came along and performed two dances which was very nice of them and many stayed and joined in. We also had cake for someone’s birthday and learnt a new dance written especially for me by Simon Scott which was very well received and danced. Simon called the dance “Duncan of Carmichael” being two of my names. There is only one Ceilidh Dance left this season which will be on Friday, April 27. We used to hold one in May in conjunction with the Hyack Festival but the attendance dropped too low to warrant the cost and effort. However IF enough people respond and say they would come to a Ceilidh Dance in May (maybe the 25th if the Cultural Centre is available) then I will see what can be done. The ball is in your court so I’ll see if my mailbox gets flooded with positive mail!!
The Glenayre dance last night must have had nearly 100 in attendance and the floor seemed to be pretty crowded for most of the dances. It was a very enjoyable evening and the food was terrific. There were a number of crowned ladies there (don’t want to say queen’s!) so we had to curtsy in honour of QE II’s Diamond Jubilee which was also one of the dances. Jean announced that the Glenayre club was probably celebrating its 50th anniversary so congratulations to all the embers of the club and many thanks for an enjoyable evening.
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Man who fight with wife all day get no piece at night.
Time’s fun when you’re having flies. ……Kermit the Frog
Mark your calendars for Tartan Day! (Tartan Day, as you know, is April 6, but that is also Good Friday this year, so we are celebrating a little early!)
SFU’s Centre for Scottish Studies will be launching the first part of our online oral history project, “Scottish Voices From the West.” Please join us for the launch and demonstration which will coincide with our Tartan Day Celebration, including piping and fabulous entertainment by the Gaelic Choir and the Vancouver RSCDS Demonstration Team. We will also be featuring a short presentation by Dr. Alison Sheridan on the brand new Museum of Scotland.
7:30 pm- 10:30 pm at 1420 SFU Harbour, 515 West Hastings St.
We are born naked, wet and hungry. Then things get worse.
NOTE:- the BC Highland Games is to be held on Saturday June 23, 2012. This is a week earlier than normal so please help us by passing this information along.
The BC Highland Games Organizing Committee has put out an urgent appeal for volunteers. 50 to 75 volunteers are also needed on the day of the games.
If you are able to assist, please contact Jim Bain (604-435-0764) or Glenna Urbshadt (604-224-5479).
Check out the BC Highland Games website at www.bchighlandgames.com A Sponsorship package is available from the website so if you or you know of anyone who would like to sponsor the Games and/or advertise in the programme please download the form and pass it on.
The Celtic Treasure Chest have a sale of all their 2011 inventory in their three stores. Check our webpage for contact info – www.vancouverceilidh.org
SCOTTISH INVENTORS:
Kirkpatrick MacMillan (1812-1878)
Invented Bicycle
Born near Dumfries, he developed first rear-wheel-drive bicycle in 1842. Villagers thought him mad for dreaming up the first velocipede, as it was then called. Known locally as ‘Daft Pate’, his invention is still used by billions.
COMING EVENTS IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS – see www.vancouverceilidh.org for a complete list.
| Apr 4 | Mark your calendars for Tartan Day! (Tartan Day, as you know, is April 6, but that is also Good Friday this year, so we are celebrating a little early!) SFU’s Centre for Scottish Studies will be launching the first part of our online oral history project, “Scottish Voices From the West.” Please join us for the launch and demonstration which will coincide with our Tartan Day Celebration, including piping and fabulous entertainment by the Gaelic Choir and the Vancouver RSCDS Demonstration Team. We will also be featuring a short presentation by Dr. Alison Sheridan on the brand new Museum of Scotland. 7:30 pm- 10:30 pm at 1420 SFU Harbour, 515 West Hastings St. |
| Apr 6 | Official Tartan Day |
| Apr 13 | Seattle advanced class at Phinney, Room 7 from 7:25 to 9:25 — RSCDS members $7; others $9 Music by Brian Crisafulli & Bill Boyd |
| Apr 13 – 15 | Red Deer Scottish Country Dance Club host their biennial workshop. Teachers are Ruth Jappy, Ron Wallace and Donna Angus. Music for the ball by Mary Ross. Info from Donna at <donnandick32@gmail.com>. |
| Apr 14 | Deep Cove Spring Social in St. Catherine’s Anglican Church Hall, 1058 Ridgeway Drive, North Vancouver at 8 p.m. – $10 |
| Apr 14 | Bellingham monthly dance |
| Apr 21 | Children’s Workshop & Tea Dance — Highland’s United Church, 3255 Edgemont Boulevard, North Vancouver. Workshop 10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Lunch 1 – 2 p.m. Dance 2 p.m. Workshop & Dance – Children $18; Adults $19. Dance only Children $2, Adults $5. Teachers Carolyn Hutcheon, Louise Murphy and Katherine Shearman while adult class will be taught by Colette Hamner. Info 604-922-4406 or wentworth923@yahoo.ca |
| Apr 21 | Nanaimo Scottish Country Dancers one day workshop and tea dance with Ruth & Alex Jappy, Rebecca Balckhall-Peters & Julie Smith — info from kirco@telus.net |
| Apr 21 | Seattle Branch party with Calum & Guinevere — see www.rscds-seattle.org for info. |
See website www.vancouverceilidh.org for a more complete list.
The next Ceilidh Dance is Friday, April 27. I would appreciate if you could tell all your friends about it, invite them all to come along for, as you know, it is a fun evening. Class at 7 p.m. and the dance from 8 – 11 p.m. all for the amazing price of $10 (students$8) – what a bargain!! I would truly love to have a really big crowd.
TELL ME THIS WON’T HAPPEN TO US!!!
Three retirees, each with a hearing loss, were playing golf one fine March day. One remarked to the other, “Windy, isn’t it?”
“No,” the second man replied, “it’s Thursday.”
And the third man chimed in, “So am I. Let’s have a beer.”
As you know by now my son, Ian, has signed up to take part in the Ride to Conquer Cancer this June. To donate and help Ian make his goal go to
Thank you to all who have donated so far.
Ian’s update:-
$15,000! And a polka dot jersey. Thank you to everyone who has supported me on raising funds for this very important cause. In only 9 days we’ve raised $5,000 and pushed me past me goal. Now I have to do my part and ride the Challenge Course.
I heard from the BC Cancer Agency who called to confirm that I am receiving a polka dot jersey. As soon as I receive it I’ll get a photo out for everyone to admire! I wish I could find a better looking model than myself to show it off with. Any volunteers?
For those that haven’t donated and still want to donate, there remains plenty of time to donate to help beat this disease that affects so many of us.
Thank you again.
Love Ian
There are only four words in the English language which end in “dous”: tremendous, horrendous, stupendous, and hazardous
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There are two words in the English language that have all five vowels in order: “abstemious” and “facetious.”
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Fraserburgh
The next Ceilidh Dance is on Friday, April 27, 2012 – that is the last Friday of the month. This will be the last dance for the season unless … see the note earlier in the newsletter.
Please help spread the word about all the Ceilidh Dances as that is the best (and cheapest) form of advertising. 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 or partner. Don’t forget to bring a few extra $$$$ to help defray the cost of the refreshments which are otherwise free.
The schedule for the 2012/13 season shapes up as follows:
All on Fridays of course —
September 28
October 26
November 30
2013
January 4
February 1
February 22
March 29
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.
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.
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 NOW 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!
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’s answer:
The woman was a photographer. She shot a picture of her husband, developed it and hung it up to dry (shot; held under water; and hung).
This week’s
What is black when you buy it, red when you use it, and gray when you throw it away ?
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For upcoming events see www.vancouverceilidh.org and www.rscdsvancouver.org.
Other announcements etc:
Seattle Branch – info at www.rscds-seattle.org
Our last Challenge Class of the season will meet on Friday, April 13 at the Phinney Neighborhood Association – Room #7 (6532 Phinney Ave. N, Seattle). We have the room from 7:00, and because we need time to set up, class will meet from 7:25 – 9:25pm. Fee $7 for RSCDS members and $9 for others. Music this month by Brian & Bill
Note that the classes are on the second Friday of the month.
Following up on requests, the plan is do much more technique, We will do fewer dances most weeks and spend more time on improving personal technique – steps and formations. As in any class, team work and sociability will be a major focus. We will be delving into old books and also bringing in new dances to complement the programme. If you have dances you specially would like to do let me know.
Elinor
The next regular monthly Ceilidh Dance will be held on Friday, April 27, 2012 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 thoughtful gift it could be if you gave your friends admission to the Ceilidh Dance. They don’t need to know 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!!
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.
How it all began
| A revelation with an Incredibly Big Message (IBM):Well, you might have thought that you knew how the Internet started, but here’s the TRUE story ….In ancient Israel , it came to pass that a trader by the name of Abraham Com did take unto himself a young wife by the name of Dot. And Dot Com was a comely woman, broad of shoulder and long of leg. Indeed, she was often called Amazon Dot Com.And she said unto Abraham, her husband: “Why dost thou travel so far from town to town with thy goods when thou canst trade without ever leaving thy tent?”And Abraham did look at her – as though she were several saddle bags short of a camel load, but simply said: “How, dear?”And Dot replied: “I will place drums in all the towns and drums in between to send messages saying what you have for sale, and they will reply telling you who hath the best price. And the sale can be made on the drums and delivery made by Uriah’s Pony Stable (UPS).”
Abraham thought long and decided he would let Dot have her way with the drums. And the drums rang out and were an immediate success. Abraham sold all the goods he had at the top price, without ever having to move from his tent. To prevent neighbouring countries from overhearing what the drums were saying, Dot devised a system that only she and the drummers knew. It was called Must Send Drum Over Sound (MSDOS), and she also developed a language to transmit ideas and pictures – Hebrew To The People (HTTP) But this success did arouse envy. A man named Maccabia did secrete himself inside Abraham’s drum and began to siphon off some of Abraham’s business. But he was soon discovered, arrested and prosecuted – for insider trading. And the young men did take to Dot Com’s trading as doth the greedy horsefly take to camel dung. And Dot did say: “Oh, Abraham, what we have started is being taken over by others.” And Abraham looked out over the Bay of Ezekiel , or eBay as it came to be known. He said: “We need a name that reflects what we are.” And Dot replied: “Young Ambitious Hebrew Owner Operators.” Abraham’s cousin, Joshua, being the young Gregarious Energetic Educated Kid (GEEK) that he was, soon started using Dot’s drums to locate things around the countryside. It soon became known as God’s Own Official Guide to Locating Everything (GOOGLE) And that is how it all began. |
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. I am delighted that we have gone over 350 so the next goal is 400 before the end of the season. 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 363 subscribers 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.
Spring on the Broomielaw, Glasgow
Thanks hope to see you at a dance class, a Ceilidh Dance or somewhere nice. Enjoy yourselves – come Scottish Country Dancing – for you never know you just might …..!
Duncan ceilidh@rscdsvancouver.org