SEPTEMBER 2015 WWW.RSCDS.KITCHENER.ON.CA K-W DANCE SCOTTISH Committee of Management 2016 Chair - Stuart McTavish Vice Chair - David Murison Secretary - Lynn Dramnitzki Treasurer - Susan McTavish Teachers Rep - Bob Kerr Publicity - Kathryn Lecocq Newsletter Editor - Gail Ritchie Social Convener - Maureen Kerr Membership Liaison - Mida-Betty Lecocq The Beginner Class: Fr. Left: Jane Fancy, Jim & Wendy Anderson, Teacher - Christine Basnett, Linda Broadbelt, Alison Zorian and Sarah Ferguson Welcome from the Chair R.S.C.D.S K-W BRANCH P.O. BOX 40029 WATERLOO SQUARE POSTAL OUTLET WATERLOO, ON N2J 4V1 Wow, winter is moving on quite quickly, even though we really have not had any winter as yet.! Classes are in full progress. We have held our 35th Burns Supper and Dance. It was a great success. The weather cooperated nicely so we did not have any concerns with people having to brave a storm or cold weather. We recognized John and Catherine Prentice for starting the whole thing 35 years ago in their basement. Bardish Chagger presented an award recognizing their contribution for promoting Scottish dancing and Burn s traditions all these past years. They were very surprised and grateful for all the recognition of their incredible contribution. Thanks to Lynn, Kathryn and their committee for all their work on Burns this year. Some of the evenings events are highlighted further in this newsletter. The basic class has advanced quite quickly in their formations and steps. So much so, that they are now joining the social class for the last dance of the evening. It is a good opportunity for the class to dance in full sets with more experienced dancers. The social class members are able to assist the new dancers and reflect on their early days of dancing. Our next big event is the 2016 KW Ball which will be held on June 11th. Planning is well under way with David and Wanda Murison who are again taking on the task. More details will be coming later in the spring. Please note this date and consider attending this special biannual event. Our Annual General Meeting will be held on April 26. We are always looking for new members to join in with the running of the club. If you are interested, or want to find out more, please talk to me or any of the other members of the executive to discuss these fun opportunities. Keep those toes pointed! ~ Stuart McTavish ~
The December Dance Our annual Christmas dance was held at Historic St Paul's Church on December 12th. THE DANCERS The weather was good! So we had a great turn out, 41 dancers attending. Everyone was able to arrive and return home safely. Live music was provided by Fred Moyes; it is always fun and greatly appreciated when Fred has us dance to Christmas Music. We held our annual raffle, again items were generously donated by our members. One item in particular was highly sought after, the Men in Kilts calendar. Likely one of the key factors in the high volume of ticket sales! Following the dance we had a time for refreshment to replenish the calories expended during the dance. Thanks to all of those who helped with organizing the event, the raffle items and the food. Thanks also to those who came out and made this a very successful dance.
35th Annual Robbie Burns Supper Our 35th Burns Supper was held on January 24th at the St. Jacobs Community Centre. This year we paid a special tribute to Catherine and John Prentice who started the first Burns Supper in the basement of the their home many years ago. The event became so popular that a bigger space was needed, so the KW Branch took on the task and have been hosting the event ever since. Piper Rob Shilliday Back: Kathryn & Lynn Front: John & Catherine This year we were pleased to welcome the Honourable Bardish Chagger, Minister of Tourism and Small Business and MP for Waterloo who brought greetings from the Government of Canada to our club. Minister Chagger also presented a Certificate to John and Catherine for their contribution to our Community. Left: Kathryn, Bardish & Lynn The Rev. Linda Ashfield gave a wonderfully entertaining Toast to the Immortal Memory of Robert Burns. We all had a chuckle at the Toast to the Lassie's given by Fred Moyes and and the Reply by Christine Basnett. Fred, in an "interesting" presentation, made certain unfounded allegations that one of our Co-Chairs sat on his glasses. Christine received many cheers for her astute reply. Right: Linda Ashfield, Lynn, Stuart & Susan, Kathryn and Brooke Ashfield
35th Annual Robbie Burns Supper The entertainment for the evening was a demonstration of Inland Sea, a new dance devised by our very own Louis Emslie. The demonstration team included; David and Wanda Murison, Robert Audas, Carole Ayres, Stuart McTavish, Kathryn Lecocq, Jamie MacDougall and Lynn Dramnitzki. The team had fun learning this very elegant and fun dance. The Demo Team Left: Carole Ayres, Robert Audas, Wanda & David Murison, Kathryn Lecocq, Stuart McTavish, Lynn Dramnitzki and Jamie MacDougall Louis Emslie also wrote a dance called Leith meets Edinburgh in honor of Catherine & John which made its debut at the Burns Supper. Thank you to our teachers, who planned a lively and fun dance program for the evening. We would like to thank everyone who helped make this evening a success and all those who came out and supported this traditional event. We look forward to next years Burns Supper. Kathryn Lecocq & Lynn Dramnitzki
KW Class Schedule and Event Dates ~ Class Schedule & Events ~ March Spring Dance February Classes on 2, 9, 16, 23 Mini Social 23 March Classes on 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 March Dance 12 Mini Social 29 April Classes on 5, 12, 19, 26 (last class) Annual General Meeting 26 May Social Dance 3 June K-W Ball June 11 Fancy a Social Night Out? March 10th - St. Jacobs Country Playhouse Little Shop of Horrors is playing in St. Jacobs. Discounted Group rate tickets ($36 + HST vs. $44 +HST) are offered for the 7:30 pm performance on March 10th. Lori McConnell is hoping to get this rate for non-uwsa members. This would be be a fun evening out for club members. Deadline for tickets: Feb. 24th at 4:30 pm Contact Lori McConnell ASAP, if interested, at lmcconne@uwaterloo.ca Hosted By Blair Scottish Dance group March 12th, 7:30 pm at St. Paul s Church, Kitchener Refreshments & light meal after dance Cost: $10 Contact: Kathryn Lecocq at klecocq@ymail.com KW 40th Anniversary Ball Saturday, June 11th Crowne Plaza Hotel, KW Tickets $80 Music: Scotch Mist Contact Susan McTavish 519-743-4143 or David Murison 519-576-4262 kwball2016@rscds.kitchener.on.ca Do You have any ideas for a Social Night Out? The executive is asking to hear from our members. Events could include attending theatre, or music productions, planning a summer picnic, pub night or a fitness activity such as walking a favorite trail. E-mail Gail Ritchie with thoughts and ideas at gritchie@uoguelph.ca
Branch News January Dance Demo On January 16th, branch members were invited to the Church of St. John s the Evangelist in Kitchener. They were hosting a fundraiser for the church. The event The Celts Are Coming included an evening of celtic music, featuring the Steel City Rovers with food and drink. ST. JOHNS CHURCH KITCHENER January16th Participants were; Wanda & David Murison, Mida-Betty Lecocq & Bob Kerr, Susan Hill & Stuart McTavish, Sylvia & Ray Dugan, Kathryn Lecocq, Christine Basnett and Fred Moyes. Dances performed included; Saint John River, Trip to Bavaria, Silver Tassie, Corn Rigs and Domino Five. The participation dances were the Gay Gordons and St. Bernards Waltz. Beginners Class Update The KW Branch has a vibrant Beginner class this year. 15 new dancers having signed up, leaving a regular core of 12 dancers in attendance on any given week. Between September and December 2015, our beginners, many of whom had never danced before, were introduced to the basic steps. This included the skip change of step, pas de basque and slip step. After just a few short months, they have gone from dancing simple favorites, such as, (Linton Ploughman, De'il Amang the Tailors and Lady Catherine Bruce's Reel) to taking their place on the floor for Trip to Gatlinburg, Domino Five, Jubilee Jig and Follow Me Home. In January they were introduced to the elegant, uniquely Scottish Strathspey, traveling and setting steps. They have mastered Elinor Vandegrift's Seattle Landing and are now swimming their way beautifully up the Saint John River. As if this wasn't enough good news to tell your mum about, these dancers have had the incredible good fortune to dance to the live music of Fred Moyes. This is a class to be proud of KW! I extend my congrats to my hard working beginners. It is my pleasure to be your teacher. Front: Wanda & David Murison, Mida- Betty Lecocq & Bob Kerr, Susan Hill & Stuart McTavish, Sylvia & Ray Dugan Christine Basnett
Scottish Dance Dictionary What do these terms mean?...with a wee humour! These definitions of dance terms were originally submitted by a former member of many years, Maurice Whitby. The article was retrieved from the newsletter archives. Its origin is apparently from London, England written by Gordon Scott. Terms SET: A group of 6, 8,10 or more dancers of miscellaneous sexes, apparently randomly distributed. They are formed: into two straight lines (?) formed into two lines (?) formed (?) They are standing on the dance floor. When they have finished talking, the set is expected to dance! DANCE: Move with rhythmical steps, glides, leaps, revolutions, gestures etc., usually to music. Alone or with a partner or set, jump about, skip, move in a lively way, bob up and down.. The Concise Oxford Dictionary. SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE: As above, done simultaneously! PAS-DE-BASQUE: A step performed by leaping from one foot to the other (and back). Seen in its greatest beauty when the dancer has an overwhelming desire to spend a penny. Freely translated, the term means Father of the Basque and arose from that fact, Scottish Country Dancing was actually invented by the Basque, a poor but shrewd race from the south of France. They found it much too difficult, so they sold it to the Scots, who didn t know any better. POUSSETTE: French term, meaning Little Cat. This figure is possibly the most awkward and time consuming method ever invented of allowing two couples to change place. Done entirely in Pas-de-Basque, it is best, the men begin with their left foot. Should a man with two left feet attempt this, he invariably finishes at the bottom of the set. GET INVOLVED! Are you thinking about becoming more involved in the branch?...but have questions about the types of duties available and the time commitment involved? Ask a member on the COM for the details! Consider shadowing a COM member or helping out at an event! The COM has the following positions; Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer and a Teachers Council Chair. The committee has a social convener, publicity and membership coordinator and a newsletter editor. Committees are formed for specific events, such as, Social dances, Burn s Supper and the Ball. Demo dancers are also required throughout the year, including the Summer. Visit the bulletin board for a full description of COM & Committee duties. A wee joke A Scotsman, Englishman and Irishman were at a bar and just started a new round when a fly landed on each of their pints. Englishman took it out with the blade of his pocket knife, Irishman blew it off in a cloud of froth. The Scotsman lifted it out carefully by its wings, held it and yelled Spit it out, go on ye wee devil!
Out of Town Dancing Events February 26-27th - RSCDS London Ceildh, Workshop and Tea Dance with Kay Munn and Scott Reid Music - Laird Brown & Donny Wood Friday - Ceilidh at Byron Legion Saturday - Workshop & Dance at Polish Hall $55 (incl. Saturday lunch and snacks) www.rscdslondoncanada.org March 5th - RSCDS Hamilton Workshop and Tea Dance with Teresa Lockhart Music - Don Bartlett Registration Noon - Tea Dance 3:30-5:00 pm Classes at Erskine Presbyterian Church For Intermediate to Advanced dancers (level 2+) Cost: $25, Dance only $10 Contact: Maureen Isnor (289-757-3371 or mhisnor@gmail.com) www.rscdshamiltion.org 4-6th - Dancing in Belleville Workshop and Ball with James Kutzner and Craig Williams Music - Scotch Mist Friday Dance & Sat. am classes at Quinte Secondary School Saturday - Lunch, afternoon classes, Dinner & Ball (incl. Sun. Brunch) at Masonic Temple Cost: Range depends on level of participation - $120 (full weekend events) Contact: Linda and Mike McCarey (613-967-1827) April 2nd - RSCDS Windsor Workshop, Dinner & Dance with Tracey Applebee & Catherine Shaw Music - Fred Moyes Roseland Golf & Country Club Cost (range depends on participation) $55 full events (Fri. warm up dance Free) Contact: Diane Bell (519-974-3326 or d.beller@hotmail.com www.rscdswindsor.org 16th - RSCDS Ottawa Golden 50th Anniversary Ball Music - Scotch Mist Dinner and Dance Ottawa Conference Centre Cost: $100 Contact: Bill Low ( 613-834-7510 or Ball2016rscdsottawa.ca) 22-24th - Dancing in Picton Tartan Tea Weekend with Scott and Catherine Reid Music - Fred Moyes Workshop & Dance at Prince Edward Yacht Club Cost: Range depends on level of participation $95 (Full weekend events) Contact: Sheila Keller (613-393-2955 or ckeller@sympatico.ca) Check websites or bulletin board for further information