cockade Newsletter of the Vancouver Branch Royal Scottish Country Dance Society

Transcription

1 the white cockade Newsletter of the Vancouver Branch Royal Scottish Country Dance Society M A Y - J U N E Rebecca Blackhall-Peters was presented with the 2017 Branch Award by Chair Peter Richards at the Heather Ball. Congratulations Rebecca! Photo by Kerry McDevitt INSIDE THIS ISSUE Officers & Directors Frae the Chair...3 Notices...4 Dancing Dates...8 Dancing News & Photos...11 Events Further Afield...16 Teacher Talk...17 Branch Board Appointments Vancouver Area Calendar of Events Elected at the RSCDS Vancouver Branch AGM on September 16, 2016 Officers Chair Peter Richards chair@rscdsvancouver.org Vice-chair Heather Hankin vicechair@rscdsvancouver.org Corresponding Secretary Gill Beattie secretary@rscdsvancouver.org Recording Secretary Sally Marshall recordingsecretary@rscdsvancouver.org Treasurer Laurie Johnston treasurer@rscdsvancouver.org Membership Secretary Paul Lowe membership@rscdsvancouver.org Membership Secretary Delegate Patsy Jamieson Past Chair membershipsecretarydelegate@rscdsvancouver.org Gerry Stensgaard pastchair@rscdsvancouver.org Other Directors Archivist Janet Mason archives@rscdsvancouver.org BC Highland Games Representative Hamish Jackson highlandgames@rscdsvancouver.org Children's Program Liaison Francis O'Farrell children@rscdsvancouver.org Events Coordinators Sandra Anderson & Denise Cunningham events@rscdsvancouver.org Publicity RSCDS Vancouver Branch Board of Directors Janet Mason publicity@rscdsvancouver.org

2 And now for something completely different! Normally Frae the Chair details all things RSCDS happening or about to happen in the Vancouver area. However in this issue, I would like to promote a new initiative brought forward by one of our Board Members at the last meeting. It s about environmental stewardship at our dance events across the Lower Mainland. We discard quite a few plastic glasses in the non-recycling trash at each and every dance throughout the season. The suggestion at the meeting was to try to reduce the use of these plastic glasses - in addition to several other initiatives to reduce waste - by bringing water bottles that can be reused. As a result of the discussion, we have asked the Centre to place the Organic Garbage disposal bins more prominently in the kitchen. You should also see the Paper Disposal bins placed somewhere in the hall corridor. You can do your part by remembering to bring a reusable water bottle (with a personalised label) in your shoe bag. Chilled water will still be provided to fill those bottles, and the plastic glasses will still be available if you forget. But we would like you to try to remember to BRING YOUR OWN! We kicked this off at the Deep Cove Dance on April 22nd. I invite you to join me in hauling out that spare bottle buried somewhere in your closet and bring it along to all events. Do it now before you forget! Peter Richards Chair RSCDS Vancouver Branch Frae the Chair Canada 150 Parade - Sunday, July 2nd- The Canada 150 Parade is the grand finale of two days celebrating the 150th anniversary of confederation. The birthday parade begins at 4 pm, goes along Georgia Street, north along Burrard and ends at West Pender. We will participate as usual with our flag bedecked truck, our feather flags, banners and, of course, our Scottish Country Dancers performing a simple routine to our lively Scottish dance music. We will meet around 3 pm. Please come join us, it s a lot of fun! Wear red, white or tartan (we have a maple leaf sash for everyone) and comfortable shoes are a must. Mark your calendars and do let me know if you can join the parade. Janet mason@sfu.ca. 3 Notices CALL FOR MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY The RSCDS Vancouver Branch is looking for a new Membership Secretary to join the Board in September The general role includes: Distribute applications to Clubs in BC & Northern Washington Receive application & fee payments from Clubs, mail & online Forward fees received to the Branch Treasurer Register all new & returning members for the dancing year on the RSCDS Vancouver Branch database & maintain membership list Issue new membership packages and cards to new members Register all new members with the RSCDS Edinburgh website Maintain the Vancouver list on the RSCDS Edinburgh website Place orders for annual Branch registrations & renewals with Edinburgh Liaise with Edinburgh re new members packages, membership cards and other information & materials as sanctioned by the Branch Produce address labels for the newsletter Place an announcement in the September newsletter for membership fees for the upcoming year Our outgoing Membership Secretary and Membership Secretary Delegate have an excellent system in place and will mentor you through the transition. This is your opportunity to give back to what SC dancing has given you. Please consider joining our team! Contact our Nominating Committee Chair, Fran Hillier at: nominating@rscdsvancouver.org or RSCDS VANCOUVER RECORDS AT VANCOUVER CITY ARCHIVES Records dating from 1964 to 2002 were transferred to Vancouver City Archives in 2011, the objective being to preserve the materials and also to make them available to the general public. The City has now completed the processing of the records. The file level descriptions can be viewed at: royal-scottish-country-dance-society-fonds Alternatively, the descriptions are also discoverable in a search rather than just clicking on the above link. With those descriptions, the actual records are now available for viewing in person in the Vancouver City Archives Reading Room. They are available to anyone who comes to the Reading Room during regular business hours. Janet Mason, Archivist 4

3 TRIALING DANCES FOR BOOK 52 The Royal Scottish Country Dance Society is preparing to print a new book of dances Book 52. To assist with the selection of dances to be included in the book, dance groups around the world are assisting by evaluating the dances submitted for inclusion in the book. Vancouver has been sent eight(8) dances to trial. Some of our local clubs have expressed an interest in assisting with the evaluations so you may have already danced some of the dances in your regular classes. The Vancouver Branch has organized two evenings especially for trialing the dances, Monday May 8 and Monday May 15 Scottish Cultural Centre - 7:30 to 9:30pm - Drop in fee $7.00 Teacher: Katherine Shearman Open to Everyone - Come and join the fun NEVER STOP DANCING! MONDAY NIGHTS ARE DANCE NIGHTS May 1, 8, 15: Scottish Cultural Centre - 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm. May 29, June 5, 12: Highland Games Mass Dancing practices at the Scottish Cultural Centre 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm. June 19 to August 14: Dancing in the Park (Ceperley Playground at Stanley Park) 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. WEDNESDAY NIGHT PROGRAMME CLASS continues to May 24th at the Scottish Cultural Centre from 7:30 to 9:30 pm. Learn the dances for the upcoming Socials, along with Dancers Choice on the last night. FRIDAY, JUNE 9, THE INVERGLEN SCOTTISH DANCERS 5 Present their annual recital A Scottish Fancy Highland, Scottish Country, & Step Dancing Piping by Kevin Watsyk Singing by Caity Rose Gordon Scottish Cultural Centre - 7:30 pm Tickets available at the door - 7 pm Adults $15 - Children & Seniors $10 BC HIGHLAND GAMES - Saturday, June 17th at Percy Perry Stadium, Town Centre Park, Coquitlam COME TO THE GAMES AT THE END OF THE TRAIN is the slogan for the Highland Games on June 17. In February we were invited to take part in a photo shoot to promote the Games. Despite a chilly winter day, 25 enthusiastic volunteers from our dancing community spent an interesting and fun morning at the filming. A very big Thank You to all who so generously volunteered their time to take part in this initiative. Six weeks prior to the Games the ads will appear on Skytrain, in brochures and newspapers so look for them. THE GAMES MASSED SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING will take place in the morning of the 17th. Mary Murray will coach the group at the Scottish Cultural Centre during three sessions: Mondays, May 29, June 5 & June 12, 7:30-9:30 pm (Please note the change to Monday evenings) Everyone is welcome. The dances are easy. It s a lot of fun so please come and be part of this colourful display of dancing! Sign up in person on Monday, May 29th or in advance by contacting: Jean Wagstaff: jeedwag@shaw.ca - phone or Fran Hillier: fran.hillier1242@gmail.com - phone RSCDS Vancouver will feature our display tent as usual at the Games. If anyone would like to spare an hour or two between 11am and 5pm to help distribute flyers and extol the virtues of our wonderful activity, please let me know. Janet mason@sfu.ca 6

4 SUMMER SCHOOL IN VANCOUVER AT UBC - July 23 to 30 The facilities are very nice - and new, with good dance floors. It s a very attractive and interesting campus. Lots of dancers have signed up already. Come join the fun, either living in at the university residence or attending as a day student. There are regular classes each morning, a variety of different types of classes in the afternoons, plus a dance or a ceilidh in the evenings. Something for everyone finishing with a formal banquet and ball on the Saturday night. Check the website for a full description of all the options and opportunities at Any questions or concerns, contact: Katherine Shearman: ptkat71@hotmail.com - phone or Alison Moen: alison.moen@shaw.ca - phone Sunday, May 7 Dancing dates WHITE ROCK CELEBRATE CANADA TEA DANCE Star of the Sea Hall - 4:00 pm $ Pacific Avenue, White Rock Featuring Doors open: 3:30 pm Dancing: 4:00 pm Followed by refreshments Tickets: Laurie Lang or Gerda Barwieck for map and dance notes PROGRAM WANTED: 3 ROW PASSENGER VEHICLES AND DRIVERS The Teachers Weekend and Summer School are being held at UBC from July 21 to July 30 this summer. UBC is quite a large campus. We need a couple of vehicles (and drivers) for transporting the teachers, musicians, and instruments to and from the residences to the Student Union building (The Nest) in time for class each day. We also need to transport them to and from evening events. If you have or can have access to a people carrier van, and can be available to assist us at times over these ten days of summer, please contact Alison Moen at Any extra tea or coffee mugs cluttering your cupboards? Have we got a solution for you! In the hopes of keeping this year s TAC Summer School as green as possible, the organizing committee are collecting tea and coffee mugs for our out of town and international participants to use during their week at Summer School. If you have any spares they can be given to Rebecca Blackhall-Peters or dropped off at the Fort Langley Tea Dance at the end of May. Here s to keeping it green! 7 Oh Canada...J...D. Hargreaves, Deep Cove Coll. Royal Deeside Railway...R...Book 40 The Craigellachie Reel*...J...G. Will (Bridge of Earn Coll.) The Northern Lights...S...C. Dobie The Missing Turn**...R...Book 46 Leaving York Factory...J...Prairie Gold Currie Mountain...R...New Brunswick Coll. The Shetland Fiddler*...R...B. Campbell (Farewell My Fancy) ******Short Break***** The Captain s House...R...RSCDS Graded 3 This Land is Your Land*...S...M. Lyon (WRSCDC) Up the Pond...J...All Around the Circle NFL Redwood Park...R...J. Lang (WRSCDC) Summer Meeting*...S...TAC 50th Anniversary Coll. The Cape Breton Hornpipe...R...25 Dances for 25 Yrs. Ottawa Br. Bratach Bana**...R...J. Drewry *These dances are more difficult **These dances are more suited to experienced dancers (Please know these dances well before taking the floor) All dances will be walked through once 8

5 Sunday, Sunday, May 28 FORT LANGLEY WHISKY TEA DANCE Fort Langley Hall - 2:00 pm $ Glover Road, Fort Langley It is with great pleasure that the Fort Langley Scottish Country Dancers invite you to join them for their Annual Whisky Tea Dance. Come and dance in the historic Fort Langley Hall to music by the Tartan Players, and finish with a Strawberry Tea. For more information contact Larry or Maureen Onotera at lonotera@shaw.ca. PROGRAMME Monday, June 19 DANCING IN THE PARK BEGINS The Machine Without Horses...J...Book 12 Bruce s Men...S...Scotia Suite The Blooms of Bon Accord...R...John Drewry Leith Country Dance...J...Book 18 The Sauchie Haugh...S...RSCDS Leaflets Scotland s Gardens...R...Roy Goldring Shadow...J...Book 50 Balquidder Strathspey...S...Book 24 The Lass of Richmond Hill...R...2 nd Graded Book ******Short Break***** It s All Right...J...2 nd Graded Book Clynelish...S...A Whisky Sampler The Speirs Wharf Hornpipe...H...Glasgow 90th A Trip to Glasgow...J...RSCDS Leaflets The Paisley Weavers...S...3 rd Graded Book The Reel of the Royal Scots...R...RSCDS Leaflets We look forward to welcoming everyone to Fort Langley! Visit the Vancouver Branch website Events Calendar for map and dance notes. 9 When it does, please join us for Dancing in the Park, at Ceperley playground in Stanley Park, starting June 19th, from 7-9 pm. Thank you to the clubs that are able to sponsor a night. We need extra support on July 24th, as many dancers will be busy at Summer School and unable to attend. Note that there is NO DANCING on July 31st - the Park Board requires extra time for cleanup after the Fireworks nights. Date June 19 June 26 July 3 July 10 July 17 July 24 July 31 August 7 August 14 Host Club Burnaby Vancouver Branch with the Vancouver Police Pipe Band & Branch Demonstration Team Deep Cove Teacher s Favourites Glenayre (Coquitlam) Deep Cove NO DANCING TONIGHT West End Gleneagles (West Van) No dancing if wet at 5:00 pm. If in doubt call: or or See our website rscdsvancouver.org after June 1st for programmes Dancing is FREE, but there is pay parking throughout the park 10

6 Dancing news & photos VFO 25th ANNIVERSARY DANCE LOVE TO DANCE WORKSHOP & TEA DANCE Kilts a swirling photo: Mary Ann McDevitt It was a great day of music, dance and friendship. Sixty-four dancers attended the workshops in the morning. A special thanks to Denise Cunningham and Sandra Anderson, who led the catering teams from morning coffee to lunch to afternoon tea. The dancers thoroughly enjoyed teachers Rebecca Blackhall-Peters and Ruth Jappy, as well as the live music at class. Another thirty-one dancers attended the afternoon tea dance with music by the Tartan Players. Many thanks to Frances Caruth and Jean Wagstaff, who worked tirelessly putting the workshop together. Lastly, thank you to all the volunteers who helped make Love to Dance a success. While too many to name, you are much appreciated and should be proud. Twenty five years ago on March 7th, 1992 the Vancouver Fiddle Orchestra played its world premiere performance at the annual Burnaby Club spring dance. On March 4th,, 2017 the VFO once again provided a lively evening of beautiful dance music for the Burnaby Club s 45th spring dance. It was a great evening of music, dance, fun, food and friends. Dave Jackson (from left to right) Rosemary Coupe Cathrine Conings Janet Wright & Diane Coulombe celebrating the special occasion. Photos by: Dave Jackson Photos: Kerry McDevitt The Highlandman s Umbrella Jon Roney & Nannette Crowell 11 12

7 THE HEATHER BALL WEEKEND 2017 Luke Brady, Màrtainn Skene, and Scott Cunningham brought their youthful energy and versatility to our Heather Ball this year. Luke played keyboard for our Wednesday walkthrough; Luke and Màrtainn (both band leaders in their own right) played accordion and Scott played drums for the ball; and all three performed again at a Sunday concert before jetting back to Scotland. We welcomed dancers from Washington State, Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, Naramata, and as far afield as Alberta. The music was incredibly exciting, with sets blending familiar and newly-composed tunes, some of them by Luke himself. Many dances were encored, including the stunning sets for Sleepy Maggie and Bratach Bana. As dancers arrived for the ball, they found our familiar Cultural Centre dressed up for the occasion by Alison Moen and her crew. A team led by Fran Hillier welcomed everyone with champagne and delicious cheesy appetizers made by Fran herself. Gail Urquhart was our spirited MC for the first part of the evening, and Isobel James gave the Selkirk Grace. After the catered meal, the Grand March was led by piper Sandy Marshall and Grand Marshal Hugh Aspinall. Rebecca Blackhall-Peters program struck the right balance between old favourites and newer dances, with one or two challenging ones thrown in. Rebecca MC-ed the evening with her usual verve and clarity. We had enough people to fill the floor but plenty of room for dancing. 13 A new venture was the Sunday afternoon concert by Luke and his fellow musicians, expanding the whole event into The Heather Ball Weekend. We searched extensively for a suitable concert location and decided on Holy Trinity Church on West 12th Avenue. It is central and spacious with a high domed roof and great acoustics. Luke charmed us all with stories of his musical life interspersing the lovely music. He hopped back and forth between his accordion and the church s grand piano. 14

8 west-coast, Highland style and Luke s east-coast style. So the concert was educational as well as delightful! We were pleased that friends of dancers and former dancers attended. A number of people worked incredibly hard to make the Heather Ball Weekend successful. Stewart Cunningham not only oversaw our finances, but chose and bought the wine and champagne. Fran Caruth was in charge of ticket sales and led a team of sellers strategically placed in various clubs. Cathrine Conings was our energetic publicity person. Mary Ann McDevitt designed the tickets and posters and carefully planned the seating for dinner. And as you see, Kerry McDevitt captured the excitement of the evening in his photographs. Rosemary Coupe, Chair, Heather Ball 2017 Events Further Afield Royal Scottish Country Dance Society Seattle Branch present THE MAY BALL Saturday, 20 May 2017 Introducing the Kilbirnie Station Band from Vancouver BC FORT WORDEN WORKSHOP September 8 to 10, A Simply Scottish Day of Dance on Salt Spring Island is planned for Saturday, October 21, We will be offering workshops during the day and a dinner and dance in the evening. We are excited to have, as our teachers, Elinor Vandegrift of Seattle and our own Richard Bennet. Live music will be provided by Ron Krug (piano) from Winnipeg and Mary Ross (accordion) and Janette Polson (fiddle) from Vancouver Island. Photos Page 13: Top left to right - Luke, Màrtainn and Scott Middle - the effervescent Brian Corbould serving champagne Bottom left to right - Susan Lumholst-Smith & Louise Murphy Page 14: Top - Hugh Aspinall directs White Rock dancers, Janice & Paul Lowe, Christine Cardinal & Sandy Anderson (Grand March front row) Bottom - Teacher Candidate, Helene Andersen Visit our website Event Photos page for more great photos!

9 Teacher Talk Meet Laurie Lang Laurie was born and raised in North Vancouver BC. After graduation she taught Primary School (mostly Grade Two) with School District 43 in Coquitlam for 23 years. Many of you know her husband John Lang, a Scottish Country Dancer who also devises dances. They met in Glenayre class in 1999 and were married in Laurie has two children - son Marc (daughterin-law Janet & granddaughter Nina), and daughter Kori (son-in-law Greg & grandson Devon). Laurie has always loved music and dance. Prior to Scottish Country Dancing, she was a member of a choir, Coquitlam Chorale. She also loves working with children, has taught Maypole dancing for over 20 years, and is now the Co-ordinator for School District 43. Laurie was first introduced to Scottish Country Dancing in She joined Glenayre SCD Club in Coquitlam taught by teachers Liz Johnson and Jean Wagstaff. She also danced with the Fort Langley Voyageurs taught by Rebecca Blackhall-Peters. Laurie currently dances at her home club, White Rock, with teacher Maureen Lyon, where she has been the former President, former and sitting Treasurer, and is currently Member-at-Large. She also enjoys dancing with the Delta Borderers taught by Ruth Jappy. In 2002, Laurie joined the Tam o Shanter Dancers under the direction of Maureen Lyon. Their goal is to promote Scottish Country Dancing by presenting demonstrations at local and international social and cultural events. She has performed with the Tam o Shanters in Hawaii, Cuba, Scotland and Mexico, and will be dancing in Prague this coming June. Laurie completed her full RSCDS teaching certificate in May She currently teaches two classes: The Thursday Thistles Social Class on Thursday mornings at the Scottish Cultural Centre. Laurie introduces new dances and covers upcoming events. The Richmond Reelers on Tuesday evenings. They are a Social class who bring together dancers for an evening on fun. Laurie has attended seven Summers Schools in St. Andrews, Scotland; two Summer Schools in Aukland, New Zealand; Winter School in Pitlochry, Scotland; the RSCDS International Branch Workshops in Copenhagen, Denmark in 2015 and Paphos, Cypress in 2017; and TAC Portland, Oregon. And she will be attending TAC Vancouver (UBC) this summer! 17 Rebecca Blackhall-Peters Nomination for Branch Award (by Stewart Cunningham) I would like to nominate Rebecca Blackhall-Peters to receive a Vancouver Branch Award. I don t think there is any doubt that Rebecca has met, and amply exceeded, the requirements for this award and I am happy to nominate her. Rebecca has been a stalwart member of the Vancouver Branch for over twenty years. She usually attends branch events and participates enthusiastically. In addition, she has been a Board member, Dance Teacher at Branch Classes and Love to Dance workshops and Director of the Branch s Demonstration Team. As if that were not enough to qualify her for this award, she has also almost single-handedly developed Scottish Country Dancing in the Fort Langley area by establishing and nurturing the Fort Langley Voyageurs. Another contribution made by Rebecca was as a member of the Tam o Shanter Dancers in White Rock. Rebecca is now well established as a Scottish Country Dance teacher and has been invited to teach in several overseas countries. In this respect her greatest recognition must be in teaching for several years at the RSCDS St Andrews Summer School. I believe her teaching all over the world has promoted and identified the Vancouver Branch. I started Scottish Country Dancing in the same beginner s class as Rebecca and although she has long since gone beyond any skill I could ever hope to acquire, I have watched her progress with much pleasure. Therefore I consider it an honour to nominate her for the Vancouver Branch Board s consideration. Sincerely, Stewart Cunningham Branch Awards are made to well-sung and un-sung heroes who have contributed to the Branch beyond the ordinary call of duty. See our website Branch Awards page under the About Us tab for full details of all recipients of the Vancouver Branch Award. 18

10 RSCDS Vancouver Branch Board Appointments Betwixt & Between Coordinator Burns Supper Coordinator Sally & Sandy Marshall Dancing Coordinator Frances Caruth Dancing In the Park Coordinator Alison Moen Demonstration Team Director Kay Sutherland Demonstration Team Manager Louise Murphy Heather Ball Chair Rosemary Coupe Love To Dance Workshop Frances Caruth Newsletter Editors Mary Ann & Kerry McDevitt Nominating Committe Chair Fran Hillier RSCDS Director USAC Ltd. Stewart Cunningham Website Manager Mary Ann McDevitt Other Representatives Ceilidh Director Duncan MacKenzie TAC Representative Frances Caruth North Shore Children Francis O Farrell northshorechildren@rscdsvancouver.org Vancouver area Calendar Of events for 2017 Sunday, May 7 Saturday, May 20 Sunday, May 28 Mondays, May 29, Jun 5 & 12 Friday, June 9 Saturday, June 17 Mondays, June 19 to Aug 14 Sunday, July 2 July 21 to 23 July 23 to 30 Saturday, Sept 2 Sept 8 to 10 Friday, Sept 15 Saturday, Oct 21 Nov 17 to 19 White Rock Spring Dance 20 Seattle May Ball Fort Langley Whiskey Tea Dance Highland Games Mass Demonstration Rehearsals - Scottish Cultural Centre Inverglen Annual Recital - A Scottish Fancy BC Highland Games, Coquitlam Dancing in the Park Ceperley Playground - Stanley Park Canada Day Parade TAC Teacher s Weekend, Vancouver (UBC) TAC Summer School, Vancouver (UBC) West End Fall Frolic Fort Worden Workshop Weekend Vancouver Branch AGM A Simply Scottish Day on Salt Spring Asilomar Workshop & Ball (California) Note - No Dancing in the Park on July 31st! Times, dates and venues for Events can be subject to change or an entire Event cancelled. Please check the Club or the RSCDS Vancouver Branch website Events Calendar for the most up-to-date information. NEW JULY/AUGUST WHITE COCKADE! The deadline for submissions is June 10th. All contributions of articles, letters, photos and upcoming events are welcome. We will do our best to accommodate everyone as space permits. Contact: editor@rscdsvancouver.org