Here we are again at the start of another year (19th of Ceilidh dancing as organised by me in Vancouver) of the Ceilidh Newsletters. I have not purged the list of contributors so must do so soon.
Welcome back anyway, I hope you have had as good a summer as I have had. The weather in July and August has been awesome although the lack of rain is showing in the lawns and gardens. We are thankful now for all the snow and rain up to the end of June but that has not helped the forests which have been ravaged by fires with many folk having to be driven from their homes and quite a few having lost everything. We are so fortunate in this little corner of the world.
We have spent a busy summer with family from Hong Kong staying with us for nearly 2 months. They flew back on Monday at 2 a.m. It was a fun-filled summer as they were active in the Crescent Beach Swimming Club (CBSC) which apart from swimming also has tennis, sailing, triathlon, synchronised swimming and a host of other activities like sandcastle competitions, fishing derbies, bingo, picnics, etc., etc. The grandkids were involved in competitive swimming (BC Summer Swimming Association) so many weekends were spent at Swim meets with one of them achieving a gold medal in her age group at the Provincial level.
The house feels empty now. It is very quiet and peaceful – but I miss them. Only 10 months till next summer which happens to be the 100th anniversary of CBSC so big celebrations are being planned. We are proud of our little club which does so much and only operates for 2 months of the year.
Fairy Lochs, Wester Ross
Enough of my news and on to more important stuff! It is time to remind you of the Ceilidh dates for this season and in particular the next on Friday September 29 with the usual class at 7 and the dance following from 8 – 11 pm. No change in the price this year but that is dependant on great attendance at every dance so mark your calendars now and tell all your friends to do the same.
The other dates for this season are:-
- September 29
- October 27
- November 24
- January 12
- February 23
- March 30
- April 27
The dances are all held at the Scottish Cultural Centre, 8886 Hudson Street, Vancouver (73rd and Hudson which is between Granville and Oak Streets). They are all held on Friday evenings and where possible the last Friday of each month – the exceptions are December (as we never schedule one) and January. Calanais have been practising and are raring to play for us again and Alison and I are rested and ready so all we need is you! Hope to see you on September 29.
Portsoy Harbour
Scottish Country Dance classes will be starting up again so now would be a good time to check out which class is suitable for you. There are many locations around the Lower Mainland (and beyond) with different levels. Check then out at www.rscdsvancouver.org then try one out you never know you might like it! The first class at most clubs is free and the cost is very low when compared to most other pastimes.
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The hottest place in the world
Death Valley National Park, U.S.A. – The highest recorded temperature, was taken on July 10, 1913, when it reached 134°F (56°C).
The coldest place in the world
Antarctica – In August 2010, the lowest ever temperature recorded was in the East Antarctic Plateau. The chilling reading was -135.8°F (-93°C).
Stirling rail station under a super moon
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The least populated city in the world
Vatican City – With a population of 842 residents, Vatican City also boasts the title of smallest state in the world.
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Lachan na h Earba
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A man died and went to Heaven. As he stood in front of the Pearly Gates, he saw a huge wall of clocks behind him. He asked, “What are all those clocks for?”
St. Peter answered, “Those are Lie-Clocks. Everyone who has ever been on earth has a Lie-Clock. Every time you lie, the hands on your clock move”
“Oh”, said the man. “Whose clock is that?”
“That’s Mother Teresa’s”, replied St. Peter. “The hands have never moved, indicating that she never told a lie.” “Incredible”, said the man.
“And whose clock is that one?” St. Peter responded, “That’s Abraham Lincoln’s clock. The hands have moved twice, telling us that Abraham told only two lies in his entire life.”
“Where’s Donald Trump’s clock?” asked the man. St. Peter replied, “We’re using it as a ceiling fan.”
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Set up for a musical event
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The next regular Ceilidh Dance is the Last Friday of the month!! – That is Friday, September 29, 2017 and I sure hope you can come and bring lots of friends.
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I have updated the calendar with known dates at this time- see the Upcoming Events tab.
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Kyle of Lochalsh at dusk
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Thanks to Steve at the Celtic Treasure Chest there is now an online list of all the Celtic societies as well as a calendar of events:
List https://www.celtictreasurechest.com/links/index.php
Calendar https://www.celtictreasurechest.com/celticevents/index.php
The Celtic Treasure Chest on Dunbar – stock up on all your favourite foods.
Celtic Fashions on E-Bay – go to https://www.CelticFashions.com
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No one believes seniors . . . everyone thinks they are senile.
An elderly couple was celebrating their sixtieth anniversary. The couple had married as childhood sweethearts and had moved back to their old neighborhood after they retired. Holding hands, they walked back to their old school. It was not locked, so they entered, and found the old desk they’d shared, where Jerry had carved I love you, Sally. On their way back home, a bag of money fell out of an armored car, practically landing at their feet.
Sally quickly picked it up and, not sure what to do with it, they took it home. There, she counted the money – fifty thousand dollars! Jerry said, We’ve got to give it back. Sally said, Finders keepers. She put the money back in the bag and hid it in their attic.
The next day, two police officers were canvassing the neighborhood looking for the money, and knocked on their door. Pardon me, did either of you find a bag that fell out of an armored car yesterday? Sally said, No. Jerry said, She’s lying. She hid it up in the attic. Sally said, Don’t believe him, he’s getting senile The agents turned to Jerry and began to question him. One said: Tell us the story from the beginning. Jerry said, Well, when Sally and I were walking home from school yesterday …
The first police officer turned to his partner and said, Were outta here!
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The Scottish Cultural Centre is a pretty unique and wonderful asset and space is available for rent to anyone or any group. The Centre does not run itself but is actually run by the United Scottish Cultural Society (USCS). Memberships in this Society are for individuals only and presently cost $10 annually. Membership Application Forms may be obtained either at the Centre or on the USCS website – www.scottishculturalcentre.com . The cost is only $10.
Any person may join USCS and Scottish Country & Ceilidh Dancers are encouraged to show their support by doing so. If any USCS member would like to be more involved, then, Darryl Carracher, the Manager at the Centre, will be pleased to give you further information.
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Noup Head, Orkney
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Luss Pier, Loch Lomond
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The next Ceilidh Dance is Friday, September 29, 2017 – . That will be the first one for the season and the fifth one of 2017. There is lots of time for you all to get yourselves and your friends organized to come along for another fun, filled evening. Come and dance, it is lots of fun and really easy. Everything is taught from scratch – you won’t be the only newbie!
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The Young Monk The secret is in the details.
A young monk arrives at the monastery. He is assigned to helping the other monks in copying the old canons and laws of the church, by hand. He notices, however, that all of the monks are copying from copies, not from the original manuscript.
So, the new monk goes to the Old Abbot to question this, pointing out that if someone made even a small error in the first copy, it would never be picked up! In fact, that error would be continued in all of the subsequent copies. The head monk, says, “We have been copying from the copies for centuries, but you make a good point, my son.” He goes down into the dark caves underneath the monastery where the original manuscripts are held as archives, in a locked vault that hasn’t been opened for hundreds of years.
Hours go by and nobody sees the Old Abbot. So, the young monk gets worried and goes down to look for him. He sees him banging his head against the wall and wailing. “We missed the R ! We missed the R ! We missed the bloody R!”
His forehead is all bloody and bruised and he is crying uncontrollably. The young monk asks the old Abbot, “What’s wrong, father?”
With a choking voice, the old Abbot replies, “The word was ….
CELEBRATE!”
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Michelle has very kindly made up a Facebook event page for the Ceilidh but you need to “Search for Vancouver Ceilidh on Facebook and “Like” us to receive updates on upcoming Ceilidhs and other events”. Then, if you “Like” the Vancouver Ceilidh FB page (do as described above), you too will receive updates AND be able to share those updates and events on your personal Facebook page to your friends and ask that they “Like” and “Share”, etc. Ceilidh Dances are great ways to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries etc. Invite all your friends to come and join you at the Ceilidh. You are welcome to bring your own cake and we’ll even sing for you!!
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You can join the e-mail list of the SFU Scottish and Celtic Society; the club connecting you to all things Scottish and Celtic at SFU and the community. As members of this mailing list, you will receive updates on events and learning opportunities. All are welcome to participate and enjoy. Facebook Group: As of today, our new Facebook Group is launched and available to join. It is an ‘Open’ group. Anyone can join and invite their friends. We will create Facebook ‘Events’ for all our occasions. Join today at this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/451447541666799/
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Some fun and interesting sites: – note if you have a link to something you think others will enjoy send me the link.
Sound On; Full Page:-
Broadway Medley:
golf hazard
Summer??
COMING EVENTS IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS: Note – please check the Branch website www.rscdsvancouver.org for and last minute changes.
| 2017 | |
| Sep 2 | West End Fall Frolic, West End Community Centre, 870 Denman Street, Vancouver – 7:30; $20 – music by “Two Thistles and a Rose” |
| Sep 8 – 10 | Fort Worden Workshop – www.rscds-seattle.org |
| Sep 15 | Bring & Buy sale before the AGM at the Scottish Cultural Centre – kilt, sporran, book, CD etc. Sellers manage own sales and money |
| Sep 15 | Vancouver Branch AGM & Dance, Scottish Cultural Centre, 8886 Hudson Street, Vancouver at 7;30 pm followed by a dance to the music of Kilburnie Station |
| Sep 23 | Drew Simpson’s Celebration of Life at the Scottish Cultural Centre from 2 – 4 p.m. Send photos to simon.scott43@me.com |
| Sep 29 | Ceilidh Dance at the Scottish Cultural Centre, 8886 Hudson Street, Vancouver – no partner or experience required – live music with Calanais – refreshments available – class from 7 – 8 p.m. followed by dance from 8 – 11 p.m. – all dances walked, talked and called – admission at the door $12 (students $10 |
| Sep 30 | Introduction to Ladies Step Dance, Scottish Cultural Centre – kay_sutherland@hotmail.com |
| Sep 30 | Nanaimo teachers workshop |
| Oct 1 | White Rock SCDC workshop, Sullivan Hall, 6306 152nd Street, Surrey |
| Oct 14 | Ladies Step Dance class at Scottish Cultural Centre 1 – 3 p.m. |
| Oct 14 | Gleneagles Fall dance in honour of the late Ray Eagle, Christ the Redeemer Gymnasium, 595 Keith Road (off Taylor Way), West Vancouver 7;30 p.m. |
| Oct 14 | Bellingham dance |
| Oct 21 | Ladies Step Dance class at Scottish Cultural Centre 1 – 3 p.m. |
| Oct 21 | Salt Spring Island workshop & Dinner Dance – info: www.saltspringscottishdancers.org |
| Oct 27 | Ceilidh Dance at the Scottish Cultural Centre, 8886 Hudson Street, Vancouver – no partner or experience required – live music with Calanais – refreshments available – class from 7 – 8 p.m. followed by dance from 8 – 11 p.m. – all dances walked, talked and called – admission at the door $12 (students $10 |
| Oct 28 | Ladies Step Dance class at Scottish Cultural Centre 1 – 3 p.m. |
| Nov 4 | Ladies Step Dance class at Scottish Cultural Centre 1 – 3 p.m. |
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The next Ceilidh Dance is Friday, September 29th, 2017. Same time, same place, same price, same amount of fun and entertainment. Now it is up to you all to help by planning on coming along and bringing loads of friends, family, acquaintances, etc. Please do your best to spread the word. Let me know if you would like a poster to put up.
Eigg & the Small Isles from Smirisary
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What a great gift this newsletter would make (and it is free!!) Please pass along the website to your friends and ask them to subscribe. www.vancouverceilidh.org
Please keep opening the newsletter!! Any and all comments and suggestions are welcome.
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If anyone has any suggestions or complaints regarding the newsletter, please let me know – ceilidh@rscdsvancouver.org Please do not complain to your server that this is junk mail. There is a link on the e-mail should you wish to unsubscribe.
Ullapool Harbour
Come Scottish Country Dancing – it is lots of fun. Just ask anyone who came along to the Dancing in the Park. We had great audience participation so I hope you will all come along and join one of our great classes or at least come to one of the Ceilidh Dances.
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The next Ceilidh Dance is next Friday, September 29, 2017 with live music by Calanaish. This is the fifth dance of the year and the first of the new season. We need another huge attendance with everyone coming along for a really fun evening.
Paps of Jura on a glorious summer day
You still have 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 and here is a link to the Facebook advert: https://www.facebook.com/events/597360563665264/597360566998597/ 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.
They are all held at the Scottish Cultural Centre, 8886 Hudson Street, Vancouver. The price is only – $12 or $10 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.
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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
Stirling Bridge
Scottish Country Dance (SCD) classes are nearing the start of another season so plan to join a local class or one that suits your schedule. Check out the class locations and come along – see the “Classes” tab.
Come to a class – 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 in September. 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 (much better and lots more fun than golf!!) and 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 learn the basics 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 is also a Branch in Seattle).
There are a great many classes and the ones in the Vancouver area are listed on the website. 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.
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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
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Silver sands of Morar
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For upcoming events see www.vancouverceilidh.org and www.rscdsvancouver.org.
Other announcements etc:
Seattle Branch
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The next regular monthly Ceilidh Dance will be held on Friday, September 29th, 2017 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 8 or more and we can give them a discount!!!
We Really NEED YOUR HELP to advertise the Ceilidh Dances!!!! It only costs $12 ($10 for students) – 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 https://www.facebook.com/events/597360563665264/597360566998597/
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.
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 of 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 2016/17 season shapes up as follows:
All on Fridays of course and, except for January, it is the last Friday of the Month —
2017
September 29
October 27
November 24
2018
January 12
February 23
March 30
April 27
Come along and get some great exercise while also having lots of fun. We hope to have lots of new Ceilidh dancers. Remember to bring your smiles and wear flat shoes.
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 would like to attract more young adults and students from Universities and all the colleges. Somehow we have to get word out to these students etc. 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 ($12 or $10 for students.)
Angus countryside in a typical Scottish summer
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 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.
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This newsletter reaches out to some 373 subscribers 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.
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Cruden Bay
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Enjoy yourselves – come Scottish Country Dancing – for it is good for your health and you never know you just might …..!
See Coming Events on the website for info – www.vancouverceilidh.org and come dancing in the Park starting Monday, June 19!!
May your troubles be one, may your blessings be more,
and may nothing but happiness come through your door.
Duncan MacKenzie ceilidh@rscdsvancouver.org