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Articles in This Issue
- Coming Up, Briefly
- Manager's Message
- Calendar of Events
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Coming Up, Briefly
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- Some classes have begun, and others will very shortly. Check
the calendar entry for January 8,11,16 for details!
- Very locally, we have the Folk Dance Potpourri coming up Feb
23rd. This was immensely popular last year, and a lot of folks are
looking forward to it again this year.
- March 29th will be our 2nd annual Scottish Afternoon event,
which was also very popular last year.
- April 19th has been reserved for our 24th annual Dinner
Dance. It will be held at a new venue this year, St. Luke's
Episcopal Church in Vancouver. Other details are still being finalized,
so reserve the date!
- South of the river, the Portland branch will be holding their 29th
annual Workshop and Ball on March 1st this year -- that is
the first Saturday in March. Most of the details are in the
calendar.
- Give the calendar a good looking over -- there are lots of dancing
events to get you in shape for the workshops and Balls noted above. You
may notice that even Fort Worden is on the radar now!
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Manager's Message
by LindaMae Dennis |
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One of
the things we Scottish Country Dancers have in common is that we want to
stay happy and healthy and continue dancing well into our nineties (at
least!). We are so lucky to have found a way to get exercise for both our
bodies and our brains. Not to mention that we get to do our 'work-outs' to
really great music and in a way that engages us so thoroughly that we have
no time to stress about our daily lives. In a class or at a dance, we are
insulated in a little pocket of harmony and good will. Well, most of the
time.
We all know intellectually that
Scottish Country Dancing is a team sport. We depend on our set-mates to
help us when we need it, and believe me, we all need it at some time or
another. Everyone has experienced the bewildering feeling when his or her
brain suddenly and unexpectedly decides to take a holiday. As partners and
set-mates, we give a look, a gesture, or a helpful word that keeps
everyone on track. And although a guiding hand is always welcome, we do
not shove, push, or otherwise physically move another person to where we
want them. In the same way, a verbal encouragement, "this way", "right
shoulder to me (touching your own right shoulder to clarify)", or quietly
naming the next figure "ladies chain", is also welcome, especially when
you see the bewildered
my-brain-has-suddenly-and-unexpectedly-taken-a-holiday look on a
teammate's face. And in the hurly burly of a dance gone wrong, we all need
to be careful to keep an encouraging tone in our voices. A loud or
impatient tone that carries with it the implication that a particular
person is ruining the dance equates to verbal shoving, and can be far more
damaging than physical shoving. Now the bewildered dancer is both
bewildered and flustered, and that never makes for clear thinking. Better
to keep the big picture in mind: with all the real problems in the world,
a confused dancer is hardly something to get worked up over. Better to
have a good laugh together and try again.
Please do try, in this season of
peace, and throughout the year, to be always encouraging, and never
impatient or critical. Remember that if we intend to dance well into our
nineties, we will need other people to dance with. And while the world
rages around us, we will always have our alcove of harmony and good will
that we all built together, where we can be happy, healthy, and stress
free.
Best wishes to all of you for a
happy, healthy and stress free (well okay, prosperous too) New Year, and
most of all, lots of Dancing! |
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Calendar of Events |
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Jan 8,11,16,
2008: Vancouver Classes Begin!
Basic and Intermediate Scottish Country Dance classes
begin Wednesday, January 16, 7:45-9:15pm at the Marshall Center.
You can call Vancouver-Clark Parks & Rec at 696-8236 to
register via credit card.
Following is an updated excerpt from the course catalog at: http://www.ci.vancouver.wa.us/parks-recreation/catalog/adultenrichmentwest.pdf
Basic Scottish Country Dance Learn the basic steps and
foundations of a fun, spirited form of dance to lively Scottish
Music. Partners not necessary and all are welcome. Instructor:
Liza Halpenny. Marshall Center Elm room. 8 wks. W 7:45-9:15pm $39
45503 1/16-3/5 45504 3/12-4/30
Intermediate Scottish Country Dance A social way to
fitness for all who are familiar with the basics. Be ready to
enjoy evenings of Scottish Dance to live music anytime,
anywhere. Instructor, Marge McLeod van Nus. Marshall Center Oak
room. 8 wks. W 7:45-9:15pm $39
45505 1/16-3/5 45506 3/12-4/30
Family Basic Scottish Country Dance class begins Friday,
January 11, 7:30-8:55pm at the Firstenburg Community Center. You
can call Vancouver-Clark Parks & Rec at 487-7001 to register
via credit card.
Following is an updated excerpt from the course catalog at: http://www.ci.vancouver.wa.us/parks-recreation/catalog/adultenrichmenteast.pdf
Family Scottish Country Dance - Basic Basic steps and
foundations of fun, spirited Scottish Country Dance. Invite your
whole family, no partner needed. Instructor Geri Stuart,
Firstenburg Community Center Aerobics/Dance studio. 8 wks. F 7:30-8:55pm $40
45244 1/11-2/29 45245 3/7-4/25
For Camas/Washougal area residents we have a Family Basic
Scottish Country Dance class, 7:00-8:30pm via East County
Community Education. Call Geri at 360-834-3757 for more info.
Level 3 Scottish Country Dance For the dancer who has a
thorough knowledge and competent performance of common formations,
who dances with good phrasing, teamwork, and handing, and who
needs only one walkthrough. Columbia Dance Center, 1700 Broadway,
Vancouver. 2nd and 4th Tuesdays every month beginning January 8,
7:30-8:30 pm, $3.00 per session. Info and registration (required),
contact Marge,
or (360) 892-4366.
Scottish/Celtic Step Dance Have fun learning enjoyable
dances using steps drawn from traditional Scottish, Irish, Cape
Breton and American Tap. Personalized training. Beginners welcome.
Columbia Dance Center, 1700 Broadway, Vancouver. 1st and 3rd
Tuesdays every month beginning January 15, 7:30-8:30 pm, $4.00 per
session. Info and registration, contact Linda Mae,
or (360) 609-0623. |
Jan 12:
Portland Hogmanay Dance and Social
7:30pm Tigard Grange, 13770 SW Pacific Hwy., Tigard.
Dancing and parlor games!
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Feb 9:
Portland SCD Dance Party
7:30pm Tigard Grange, 13770 SW Pacific Hwy.,
Tigard. Dance program: (not in order) Petronella BR Bk 1 #1
The Sailor BR Bk 24 #4
Red House IR Bk 7 #2
General Stuart's Reel IR Bk 10 #3
Mrs. Stewart's Jig BJ Bk 35 #1
The Laird of Milton's Daughter BJ Bk 22 #10
Stanford Swing IJ Devil's Quandry
Loch Katrine IJ Cosh
Winstanley House BS LAD2 #56
Neidpath Castle BS Bk 22 #9
Asilomar Romantic IS San Francisco Col.
The Expert Dancer IS Campbell
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Feb 23: Folk
Dance Potpourri
A great fun way to sample the folk dance traditions of
many cultures. Rudy Luepke Center, 1009 E. McLoughlin Blvd.
Vancouver, WA (behind the Marshall Center). 7:30-10pm. More
details as they become available. |
Mar 1:
Portland RSCDS 29th Annual Workshop and Ball
Where: Masonic Friendship Center, 5625 NE Alameda St,
Portland, OR 97213 Time: Workshop 9:30am, Ball
7:30pm. Teachers: Bruce Herbold, Ruth Jappy Musicians: Cali
McKasson, Ryan McKasson, and Lisa Scott
The Program: Kendall's Hornpipe BJ Graded Bk
Mrs. Johnstone of Ardrossan IR Goldring
Neidpath Castle BIS Bk 22 #9
General Stuart's Reel IR Bk 10 #3
Teacher's Choice BJ/R
White Heather Jig IJ Cosh
The Pleasure of Her Company BS
Shiftin Bobbins BR Clowes
Ladies' Fancy BJ Bk 13 #12
Expert Dancer IS Campbell
The Laird of Milton's Daughter BJ Bk 22 #10
Quarrie's Jig IJ Bk 36 #3
Bridge of Nairn BS Bk 13 #1
The Sailor BR Bk 24 #4
Mrs. Milne of Kineff IS Leaflet
The De'il Amang the Tailors BR Bk 14 #7
For more info, contact Don Gertz
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Mar 29: A
Scottish Afternoon
A celebration of Tartan Day! More details as they
become available. |
Apr 12:
Portland SCD Dance Party
7:30pm Tigard Grange, 13770 SW Pacific Hwy., Tigard.
$5. |
Apr 19:
VancouverUSA 24th Annual Dinner Dance
"Bumbershoots and Wellies" Music by Lisa
Scott, Linda Danielson, Leslie Hirsch The Program: Lady Catherine Bruce's Reel J Graded Book #7
Braes of Breadalbane S Bk 21 #7
The Apple Tree R Wetherly Bk 4
The Cutty Sark J Bk 40 #2
Strathglass House S Bk 13 #9
Australian Ladies R Glasgow Assembly
Ladies' Fancy J Bk 13 #12
Linnea's Strathspey S Tim Wilson, 2001
Fidget R Bk 16 #1
Miss Anderson of Hobart J Ruby Anniv. Coll. (Vancouver Branch)
From Scotia's Shores We're Noo Awa' S Leaflet
The Tattie Bogle J First Carnforth Coll.
The Lady Wynd J Goldring
Glasglow Lasses S Bk 34 #3
Tam O'Shanter R Let's All Dance, Too
More information will be available shortly. Keep checking
back! |
May 9-11:
Perl Holmberg Workshop for Teachers and Musicians
Vancouver, BC. |
May 10:
Thistle Ball
Vancouver, BC. |
Sep 12-14:
Fort Worden 2008, Annual Workshop and Ball
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Do you have an item of
Celtic interest you would like to see in print? |
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You can contact me in any of
the following ways: |
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By mail: |
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John
Shaw |
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PO Box
2438 |
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Battle Ground, WA
98604 |
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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. | |
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Generated Thursday January 10,
2008 |