Village Green English Country Dancers. August 2012 Visit our website at

Transcription

1 Village Green English Country Dancers Visit our website at Hello, Everyone! I hope you ve had a fine summer. It truly was summer hot! I ve been enjoying friends, gardening, and the Fringe, among other things. September is approaching (although we don t want to let go of summer just yet) and with September comes the new season of so much that Winnipeg has to offer, including dancing. I m looking forward to Wednesday night dances, to English dancing for Culture Days, to celebrating Hawk Green s anniversary (our sister dancing group, in England), and to dancing and making merry at our Christmas Social. That s just this Fall more to come later in the year including our Spring Ball! Although Village Green took a hiatus from weekly dances, we had a presence at the Lower Fort Garry Canada Day celebration: a team of dancers danced several dances including a new dance written by Liz Goossen especially for the event On the Red. We shared the stage with the wonderful Hell s Belles. On the Red (as well as other dances) was also featured at the Medieval Festival at Cook s Creek on July 28 th. It was a very hot day, but the audience was enthusiastic and the dancers had a fine time, picnicking on the green when our performance was over. On July 31 st we bid farewell to long-time Village Green members Roger and Lynne Palser and Jean Scriven. Roger and Lynne are going west to B.C. and Jean is going east to Ontario. We celebrated them as dancers and friends with a Farewell Dance and Ice Cream Social. We say that English country dancing is friendship set to music and that was certainly apparent: a crowd of about 50 people gathered at St. Paul s Church to dance and visit with Roger, Lynne, Jean and each other. We are very sorry to see them leave, but Roger, for one, assures me that he will return for Balls and Workshops. I am awed by the dedication of those members on the Village Green executive who will continue in their service of Village Green this year. Many thanks to Molly Pind for keeping our finances in order; to Frances Harris and Sandra Johnston for organizing social occasions with such ease and grace; to Linda Clark and Anne Morton for the beautiful newsletter keeping us informed; to Iris Moehring for also keeping us informed, via . Thanks also to Maureen McIntosh for sharing information between the teachers and the executive, and to Deb Scott for keeping us organized as an executive: taking notes, sending minutes, reminding us of meetings. Sue Stanton will stay on the executive as past president as well as taking on the role of Hall Convener. Village Green has an important place in Sue s heart; a member since the 1970 s, she served as president in the 1980 s and again in A regular Wednesday night teacher, last year Sue taught a Sunday night Leisure Guide class. Sue is ever an advocate for Village Green (and for English Country Dancing) searching for ways to increase our membership. She is currently in discussion with other members of CDSS planning a weeklong dance camp in the Midwest. Thank you, Sue, for your continued commitment to Village Green and your wonderful enthusiasm. I m looking forward to seeing you all, dancing on Wednesday nights and at our special events. See you at the opening social on September 12 th. Cheers, Katherine Himelblau Upcoming Events Season Opener Wednesday, September 12, 2012 Harrow United Church Hall Registration: 7:00 p.m. Dancing: 7:30 p.m. 10:00 p.m. $5.00 at the door (waived if registration and payment received on Sept. 12th!) Of Special Note: Save our planet-bring your mug on Tea Nights and Oct. 10 th class will be held at St. Mark s Corydon & Cambridge What s Inside President s Podium Executive List Page Fall/Winter Season Calendar Page 4 Dancing over the Summer Page Registration Form (insert in print version) Page 5

2 MOVEMENT IS A PHYSICAL EXPRESSION OF THE MUSIC. MUSIC [IS] INTERNALIZED AND TRANSFORMED INTO MOVEMENT. ENGLISH COUNTRY DANCE MOVEMENT REQUIRES DANCING WITH ONE S WHOLE BODY. Danceophile s Corner Time to Get Moving The Village Green dance manual has some good things to say on the subject of Dance Movement and Style. Below are some excerpts to help get us into the mood for the new season of dance. Sixteen words or phrases are used to describe the whole body movement appropriate to historic dances. The first six are: energetic, fluid, strong, subtle, elegant, and relaxed. THE DANCER STANDS TALL with arms and shoulders relaxed.the body is in a line from head to foot.imagine the pelvis as an eggcup with the upper body resting lightly on it. The upper body leads the dance movement.it might help to think of leading with the diaphragm, rather than with the chest. THE FEET provide the impetus and lift required. The lift needs to move from the foot to the top of the head to give the whole body the movement desired. In historic dances, there was no room for individual modification. The enjoyment came from learning the intricacies of the dance, and executing them so that all parts formed a perfect fit with the music a moment of magic. The style of traditional village dancing was much the same but the overall feeling [was and] is more relaxed, flamboyant and exuberant.individuality of style was encouraged. In contra dancing, the centre of gravity is lower.and there is more bend in the knees. The only rules are to be home on time and not to interfere with the active couple s figure. [Of course, these rules apply to the other styles as well.] Get that hand ready to put in the air and volunteer! Upcoming volunteer opportunities: Oct. 17 th Tea Night Goodies Mark at least one of the events on the VG calendar on page 4 for your volunteer opportunity. Phone Sandra or Frances our Social Conveners, to sign up. (Phone #s in Executive list below) Your Village Green Executive Any concerns/suggestions for Executive discussion: Contact the President or VP. President Vice President Secretary Publicist Treasurer Social Conveners: Hall Convener Large Past President Katherine Himelblau Sandra McKenzie Deb Scott Anne Morton Molly Pind Sandra Johnson Frances Harris Sue Stanton Iris Moehring Sue Stanton Teacher s Rep (non voting) Maureen McIntosh Next Executive Meeting: Nov. 13,

3 Culture Days 2012 September 29 th 11 a.m. 1 p.m. Grant Park Shopping Centre (In the foyer outside the Safeway and the Liquor Store) Village Green has planned a fun-filled event presenting the best of English dance culture. The Village Green English Country Dancers, Hell s Belles Morris Women, and Village Green Morris Men will be inviting audience members to join in the dance after a short demonstration. Music will be provided by The Fine Companions and The Boatmen. Participants may experience dances from medieval times to the present day, couple dancing as seen in Jane Austen films, and strong traditional team dancing morris, garland, long sword, and rapper. Come on down & join the fun! Curious about Challenge Class? Members choose to attend the Challenge Class based on selfselection. Do you: Feel comfortable and confident dancing a straightforward dance (3 or 4 basic figures) without a walk through from each position? Enjoy working on the technical aspects of a dance (phrasing, handing, covering, dynamic of dance, and awareness of others in set)? Feel confident dancing an intricate, complex dance after working through it from each position; are you able to recall such a dance in a subsequent class after a briefing? Hear the music and are you able to move in a manner that suits the music? Have a desire to grow in dancing - to be a better dancer? Hawk Green Celebration November 3, 2012 Harrow Church Continental Exchange Workshop and Dance To commemorate the long and friendly association with the Hawk Green Hoe Down Club, located near Manchester in the UK, Village Green is planning a morning workshop to review/learn the dances that Village Green and Hawk Green that we have shared over the years Our event will mirror the HG celebrations in the UK. The day will conclude with an afternoon dance (1 4 p.m.). Watch for more information in subsequent Town Crier editions and in class announcements. Making Sense of VG Fees Membership fee: The $30 annual fee contributes to the sustainability of the organization. Class fees: Class fees for each term cover expenses incurred in providing the weekly classes. Drop-in Fee: This fee is payable for those dancers who may not be dancing regularly. However, only members with a current (2011/2012) paid-up membership ($30) are eligible to drop-in to class on occasion. To contribute to the Town Crier, please contact the Town Crier Co-Editors: Anne Morton anmorton@mymts.net Linda Clark futurwrk@shaw.ca TC Deadline for submission: October 9, Back to School Two members of the Village Green community Mary Louise Chown and Anne Morton are educators in McNally Robinson s Community Classroom. For details, go to and then click on Community Classroom. For courses they are teaching this fall, look under Storytelling, History and Reading. 3

4 Summer Dancing Photo Album Jean Scriven and Roger Palser Going Away Evening July 31, 2012 Greg Allan Going Away Evening August 24, 2012 Greg s dance program included English Country Dancing, Irish Set Dancing, and Contra and of course a (short) concert. Maria, Greg s mother and his two siblings were in attendance watching all of us dancing. This symbol in the schedule means the Fine Companions will be playing for us VG Event Calendar Sept. 12 Harrow Church, Harrow & Mulvey Sept. 19 Harrow Sept 29 Grant Park Shopping Centre Oct. 10 St. Mark s Church, Corydon & Cambridge Oct.17 (Don t Forget Your MUG!) Nov. 3 Harrow Dec. 5 Dec. 8 St. Paul s Church, Point Rd. & North Drive Jan. 9, 2013 Harrow Feb. 13 (Don t Forget Your MUG!) Mar. 9 Apr. 20 th Khartum Shrine Centre, 1155 Wilkes May 1 Season Opener Dance & Registration First Class Village Green Culture Days Event!!Class location moved this night ONLY!! Tea Night Hawk Green, Continental Exchange Event Last class for the term Christmas Dinner & Dance Evening First Class of new term Tea Night Workshop & John Trevenen Dance Evening Spring Ball A Do About Something Last Class May 8 VG AGM Challenge Class Schedule Sept. 23 Oct. 7, 21 Nov. 4, 18 Dec. 2 Dec. 16 (1 5 p.m.) Jan. 6, 20 Feb. 3, 17 Mar. 3, 17 Apr. 7 April 21 (5 9 p.m.) Challenge Class is held 1-3 p.m. Sunday s at Norberry Community Club, 26 Molgat 4

5 VILLAGE GREEN ENGLISH COUNTRY DANCERS Name (1) Name (2) (if a couple) REGISTRATION FORM 201 / 201 Please print! Contact information already on file? Yes No Address: Postal code: Phone #s Home: - Work: - I would y ou like to receive own rier by . Yes No Please check if you would you like to volunteer to help various committees as needed. Village Green English Country Dancers Privacy Policy The executive re quire your personal information to keep you informed of the activities of the Village Green English Country Dancers. Village Green distributes a membership list annually to our members. This list will not include any personal information without written permission from you. VG must have your specific directions and permission indicated by your signature. Please DO NOT include any of my information. Village Green English Country Dancers has my permission to include my: Name Address Phone # P lease check each item you wish to h ave listed. Best method of notification: Phone Member's Signature: Village Green Fees Fall Term (Sept Dec) 42 Winter Term (Jan Apr) Please add my donation to the VG Dance Camp Scholarship Fund Hardcopy Available The Village Green Executive has adjusted class fees to contribute to expenses incurred. 0 Make cheques payable to: Village Green English Country Dancers Mail to: Molly Pind, VG Treasurer 771 Fleet Ave. Winnipeg, MB R3M 1K1 OR pay Molly at class by cheque or cash. To request more information, please click on/ : August 201