Volume 23 #3
The Scottish Country Dancer
November/December 2006

 
Articles in This Issue
The Briefing Scottish/Celtic Step Dance Class
We Danced with Sherlock Holmes! Owed to a Spell Chequer
At the Pumpkin Festival Holmes, Watson, and Deduction
Over the Hill and Round to Bend Calendar of Events
 
The Briefing
 

Just some things you might want to remember:

  • November 1st: the day Vancouver USA SCD Late Fall Classes start at the Luepke Center. Sign up if you haven't already done so!
  • 696-8236: the phone number to call at Luepke Center to register via credit card.
  • December 20th: the date of the last class of the Late Fall term, which class will be a Ceilidh!
  • December 27th: the date of the 'Twixt 'n 'Tween dance (between Christmas and New Year's Eve)
 
We Danced with Sherlock Holmes!
by Martin MacKenzie
 
Study in Scarlet

As a participant in the dance event, "An Evening with Sherlock Holmes", on October 21 at the Columbia Dance Studio, I found many things about it that were delightful as well as rather amusing.

This was our first event at the Studio and as such everyone was a little disoriented and a little unsure of procedures and timing.

One of the more interesting things I observed was when couples lined up for dances, they would often line up on the tape lines used by a ballet dance troupe that practices there. That made the sets at least twelve feet wide and this often lead to scrambling to make it to the end or start of a figure on time!

Marge Van Nus devised a contest using the secret code from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's "The Adventure of the Dancing Men" as an element of the contest.

Adventure of the Promenade

Lisa Scott and Linda Danielson provided beautiful and completely dance-appropriate reels, jigs, and strathspeys for our dancing during the evening. And that eeevvviiill temptress Geri Stuart provided a CHOCOLATE fountain for us to enjoy. (And one of us who shall remain nameless dipped a radish in it to see what it would taste like. Well, the report is that radishes are a disease that chocolate just cannot cure!)

Bart Moore came dressed very effectively as a Kenyan, and Van Meter came dressed as The Green Woman, both from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Holmsian stories.

On the human interest side, Renee Russel was able to escape work obligations and enjoy the entire evening with us. Jennifer Pratt-Walker came in a ghoulish costume and makeup, but her smile and enjoyment of the evening shone through. Bart Moore and Tom Halpenny volunteered to become appropriately sprawled dead bodies for crime scene style tape outlines. And it was good to see Gail Esparza, the dance Chair (yeah!), recently returned from various travels, photographing the event (when she wasn't dancing).

Our teachers, Linda Mae Dennis, Liza Halpenny, John Shaw, and Geri Stuart, patiently provided briefings and walk throughs for our dancers, some of whom came from as far away as Bend, Oregon, and Atlanta, Georgia! And Linda Mae provided extra waltz lessons to this writer who just couldn't steer correctly that night!

Slàin leibh uile (Good health to you all)

[One of the dancers, Sally Palmer, is visiting the area from Atlanta, Georgia; and Fred Kowolowski and Diana Eddleston joined us from Bend, Oregon. -ed.]

 
At the Pumpkin Festival
by Marge van Nus
 
Giving it a try

Pomeroy Farm's Pumpkin Festival is one of our annual standing commitments. This year, Eunice and Katherine joined Valerie, Jeff, Martin, Fred, Susan, Geri, and Marge, in dancing at the Farm on October 7, 2006.

It was a perfect day for dancing. The vendor tents around the periphery were all facing into the green where we danced, and audience participation was very good. We gave out a fair amount of SCD class info.

The folks at Pomeroy extended their lunch menu this year, thus giving us plenty of energy for dancing.

A Very Hearty Thank You! to all for your support and enthusiasm. Extra thanks goes to Geri for organizing and leading fun dances for all. The comments from participants were most enthusiastic. And we now are "stars" in a professional promotional video for Pomeroy Farm. With appreciation; and happy dancing, Marge.

 
Over the Hill and Round to Bend
by John Shaw
 
Movin' at the Ball

On the weekend of October 6th to 8th, four dancers from Vancouver, Linda Mae Dennis, Tom and Liza Halpenny, and I, went on a roadtrip to Bend, Oregon, to attend the 10th Annual Scottish Country Dance Ball and Workshop, sponsored by the High Desert Celtic Society. It was the first trip to the high desert for any of us, which only added to the sense of adventure.

After about a four hour drive, plus stops for lunch and, well, you know, and leisurely walks through Drake Park and another park, both bordering the Deschutes River as it meanders through Bend, we finally arrived at the home of our host for the weekend, Fred Kowolowski. After a nice pizza dinner, Fred walked us through some of the Ball dances which still puzzled us. We topped off the evening which huge helpings of conversation.

The workshop the next day was held at the Redmond Grange Hall, and taught by Debbie McRobert, one of the teachers in the Portland RSCDS branch. The first session was a combined beginner/intermediate class, with an emphasis on the fundamentals. Then before and after our Subway-sandwich lunch, the second session covered more advanced techniques and figures. [There was this one figure -- you started out as in double triangles, but then everyone rotated right and faced up, unless you were a certain corner... oh, I think my head still hurts!] Needless to say, both sessions were a lot of fun as well as instructive.

After a nice rest hanging out at Fred's house, we got all dressed up and joined many other similarly dressed dancers for dinner at Madeline's, a fine Mexican/Thai restaurant. From there, we proceeded (some of us waddled) back to the Grange for the Ball. With music provided by A Scottish Heart, the evening seemed to fly by. The dances were varied and fun -- some were "standards", like Flowers of Edinburgh, and Deil Amang the Tailors, while others were inspired by area features, like The Snake River Strathspey. Yes, "a good time was had by all."

Many thanks to our host and our many dancing friends -- some new, some re-acquainted -- in the High Desert who, with their friendliness and love of social dancing, made this a roadtrip to remember.

 
Scottish/Celtic Step Dance Class
by Tom Halpenny
 
sounds like: deedle deedle dum dum...

Linda Mae Dennis teaches a Scottish/Celtic Step Dance class twice-monthly on Tuesday evenings at the Columbia Dance Center. She has been generously sharing her tap dance knowledge with us for the past year as she gradually introduces the variety of Scottish/Celtic steps in a playful environment. She breaks down the mechanics of each step to show how change of weight is accomplished via terms such as step, hop, tap, scuff, and shuffle. She adapts the dance lesson to the class skill level and gives personalized training to each student.

It's been a fascinating experience to program my brain to perform the steps. This reminds me of the time when I was first learning the Pas de Basque setting step in Scottish Country Dance. The footwork that is now automatic took a couple months to internalize. The step dance class is the same way, with a lot more variety. I notice that my balance is improving as I gradually strengthen different muscles in my legs and feet.

Linda Mae choreographs original dances that use the steps we learn. She taught "Fraser's Frolic" and the class performed the dance at the 2006 Clark County Fair this past August.

Don Morrison has recently brought an exciting dimension to the dance class. He has videotaped and distributed a DVD of a lesson. During the class I work to establish the step pattern in my mind. However, shortly after the class the pattern has left my brain so I am challenged to practice the new steps between classes. But with this video, I can effectively remind myself how the pattern went and can now practice it to my heart's content.

You can join the class any time. Don't worry about falling behind the class. Linda Mae adapts the lesson to those who attend, and she continually introduces material that is new to all of us.

You can contact Linda Mae at or (360) 609 0623 for more info.

Columbia Dance Center, 1700 Broadway, Vancouver

1st Tuesdays, 7:30-8:30 pm & 3rd Tuesdays, 8:30-9:30 pm

 
Owed to a Spell Chequer
by John Giesbrecht
 

    Eye halve a spell chequer;
    It came with my pea sea;
    It plainly marques four my revue
    Miss steaks eye kin knot sea.
    
    Eye strike a key and type a word
    End weight for it two say
    Weather eye am wrong or write --
    It shows me straight a weigh.
    
    As soon as mist ache is maid
    It nose bee fore two long
    And eye kin put the arrow rite
    It's rare lea ever wrong.
    
    Eye have run this poem threw it;
    I am shore your pleased two no
    Its letter perfect awl the weigh,
    My spell checquer toiled me sew!
    

From the Sept/Oct 2006 issue of The Tartan Times

 
Holmes, Watson, and Deduction
 

A variation on a story uproariously told by Fred at the conclusion of our Evening with Sherlock Holmes dance.

Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson went on a camping trip. After a big dinner and a bottle of wine, they lay down for the night and went to sleep. A few hours later, Holmes awoke and nudged his faithful friend.

"Watson, look up at the sky and tell me what you see." Watson replied grogilly, "I see millions and millions of stars."

"What does that tell you?" Holmes asked. Watson pondered for a minute.

"Astronomically, it tells me that there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets. Astrologically, I observe that Saturn is in Leo. Horologically, I deduce that the time is approximately a quarter past three. Theologically, I can see that God is all powerful and that we're small and insignificant. Meteorologically, I suspect that we will have a beautiful day tomorrow. What does it tell you, Holmes?"

Holmes was silent for a moment, then spoke. "Watson, you idiot. Some scoundrel has stolen our tent!"

 

Calendar of Events

Nov 1: Vancouver USA SCD Late Fall Classes Start
Luepke Community Center
1009 E. McLoughlin Blvd., Vancouver, WA, 8:00 - 9:30pm
Beginning and Intermediate classes in Scottish Country Dancing. Classes run through December 20th.
Sign up now!
See the Parks & Recreation catalog online at: www.ci.vancouver.wa.us/parks-recreation/catalog/index.htm
The classes are listed under "Adult Enrichment".
Nov 11: Portland Monthly Dance Party
Tigard Grange 13770 SW Pacific Hwy., Tigard, OR. 7:30PM

Live Music!

The Program:
      Gaelforce Wind     IJ   Haynes, 3rd Carnforth Collection
      The Cabrach        BS   Goldring, 24 Graded and Social
      Balgeddie Reel     IR   Brandon, Memories of Fife
      Lady Catherine Bruce's Reel  BJ  RSCDS Graded
      Fermat's Bicycle   IS   Silverberg/Rubin
      Katie's Dance      BR   Hamilton, Let's All Dance Too
      
      Fair Jenny's Jig   IJ   Wallace
      Vanessa's Garden   BS   McMurtry, Devil's Quandry
      Dare to Dance      IR   Skelton, kReel Reflection
      It's Nae Bother    BJ   Haynes, 4th Carnforth Collection
      My Friend Joe      IS   RSCDS Bk 38 #2
      White Cockade      BR   RSCDS Bk  5 #11
  
Dec 20: Last Class Ceilidh
The last session of the term -- just before Christmas -- of the Luepke Center classes is held as a ceilidh (Scottish dance party). Luepke Center, 8-9:30pm. More details as the date draws closer.
Dec 27: 'Twixt n 'Tween Dance
Looking for some dancing on that Wednesday between Christmas and New Year's Eve? Look no further! This relaxed evening of dances will be held in the Luepke Center, 7 - 9pm. More information as details solidify.
Feb 2, 2007: Alasdair Fraser at the Masters of Scottish Arts Concert
Benaroya Hall, 7:30 pm
200 University St,
Seattle, WA
206.215.4800
Feb 17: Winter Dance Potpourri
A great opportunity to sample different dance traditions. Quick introductory lessons by experienced teachers in a relaxed atmosphere. Save the date; more infomation will be posted as it becomes available.
Mar 17: Alasdair Fraser in Concert
Washington Center for the Arts
512 Washington St. SE
Olympia, WA.

(It may not yet be listed on the Center's webpage, but it is listed on Alasdair Fraser's calendar of concerts.)

For more information, keep checking the Center's webpage at www.washingtoncenter.org, or call them at 360.753.8585.
May 19: May Dinner Dance
Save the date! More details as soon as we know them.

From an entry in the catalog "New Releases" from Highlander Music Company in Scotland:
"The Scottish Workout Album; Do you have cellulite under your sporran? Flab flopping over your phillimore?
Then this is the album for you! Specially formulated to contradict the effects of too many deep-fried Mars bars.
Classic Scottish and Celtic songs in workout mode."

  Do you have an item of Celtic interest you would like to see in print?  
  You can contact me in any of the following ways:  
  By mail:  
  John Shaw
  PO Box 2438
  Battle Ground, WA 98604
  By email:  
  The Scottish Country Dancer is a bi-monthly publication of the Vancouver USA Scottish Country Dancers, a non-profit educational organization. For changes of address, please contact John Shaw, PO Box 2438 Battle Ground, WA 98604, . The editor reserves the right to alter or edit any material submitted for publication for reasons of taste, style, or clarity. All materials for publication should be sent by email to the editor at the address above, preferably in straight text. Deadline is one week before the end of the month prior to publication date. Editors of other newsletters may use or adapt any materials in the Scottish Country Dancer unless a specific copyright notice is included. Please credit author and original source.
 
Generated Saturday November 04, 2006