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What's On?

To have your event listed here or in Set & Link, our monthly newsletter, please contact Carole Bell.
Events in Far Away Places are listed at the bottom of this page (scroll down).

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Wednesday, Feb 8 - Glenview's Tartan Ball Practice - 01 Get ready for the Tartan Ball ! Donalda McDonald and Moira Korus will share the teaching as they devote two consecutive weeks to teaching Tartan Ball dances. Half the programme will be taught this week; the other half next week. Class starts at 8pm at Glenview Presbyterian Church <map>. Transit instructions here.

Saturday, Feb 11 - South Simcoe Valentine Workshop & Tea Dance Join your friends in the beautiful countryside of Alliston for our traditional Valentine Workshop. As usual, we have two teachers: The ever-popular, Scroll of Honour winner, Jean Noble, will be joined by newly-qualified Nigel Keenan. Each will lead you through a class to improve your technique and your dancing grace. Refreshments will be served between classes and your Workshop package includes a tasty country lunch. Music will be by Laird Brown and Don Wood. Following lunch there will be a tea dance to put into practice what you have learned. Registration is 9-9:30am; lunch is 12:30, and the tea dance starts about 1:30pm. Cost is $20 per person; $10 for the tea dance alone. This popular event is limited to 60 participants so book early. Download the brochure and application form. At Knox Church Hall, 180 King Street South, Alliston <map> Contacts: Irene Wilson (705) 435-2361 or Susan Elliotson (519) 941-2134.

Monday, Feb 13 - Tartan Ball Run-through at St Clement's This evening, Teresa Lockhart will lead you through the entire Tartan Ball programme, in order, top-to-bottom (though some strathspeys may be done once through for each couple). This run-through is a great test of your readiness for the Ball and it makes for an exciting evening while reducing the stress you may feel about the dances. It also gives you a chance to identify any tricky dances which may need more practice or tutelage -- which you have a week to obtain. Dancing begins promptly at 6:30pm and goes to 9:30. $5 per dancer. Enter Bishop Strachan School <map> by the main doors; sign in with BSS Security. They will direct you to the dance location. There is lots of free parking in front of the school, on nearby streets, and in the BSS carpark off Russell Hill Road.

Tuesday, Feb 14 - Calvin's Reverse Tartan Ball Practice Please join us at Calvin Presbyterian Church <map> at 7:30pm for a Reverse Tartan Ball Practice. We will start with the last dance on the Ball program and work our way to the first. And, don't forget to wear red for Valentine's Day. We may even do The Lover's Knot !

Wednesday, Feb 15 - Glenview's Tartan Ball Practice - 02 Get ready for the Tartan Ball ! The remaining half of the programme will be taught, starting at 8pm at Glenview Presbyterian Church <map>. Transit instructions here.

Saturday, Feb 18 - The 49th Tartan Ball Agreeable company, elegant attire, sumptious meal, glorious music, traditional pageantry and splendour -- and wonderful dancing, too! The Tartan Ball has it all. More info here. Downloads: • Invitation & Order Form for 2012 Tartan Ball (PayPal version) • Invitation & Order Form for 2012 Tartan Ball (cheque version) • Dance Instructions for the 2012 Tartan Ball • Dance Briefs for the 2012 Tartan Ball

Saturday, Feb 25 - Youth Gala & Family Fling Here’s a great chance to share the fun of Scottish music and dancing with your friends and family. Come enjoy our youth demonstrations as kids in classes show what they can do. In between, families and visitors can participate in some easy dancing fun. If you brought your grandchildren to the Xmas dance, bring them to this event. They, and you, will love it! 2:00 - 4:30pm at St Leonard's Church (Yonge & Lawrence) <map>. $5 for Youth over 6 & Adults ($10 maximum per family). All tickets to be purchased at the door. Light refreshments will be provided. For more info, contact Teresa Lockhart (416) 759-9845.

Sunday, Feb 26 - Meanwhile and other unusual reels (at Broadlands) Andrew Collins will teach "meanwhile and other unusual reels". For Intermediate and Advanced dancers. From 2pm - 4:00 at Broadlands Community Centre, 19 Castlegrove Blvd, Don Mills <map>. $5.50 for Members; $8.50 for others.

Saturday, March 10 - March Monthly Dance -- Beginners' Night! This will be an evening of wonderful, exhuberant fun at Crescent School <map>. There will be a large crowd of nervous Beginners and experienced dancers eager to help. We'll have great music from The Scottish Accent to put wings on your heels. You can download the Dance Instructions right now, and start swotting for the night. Download Dance Briefs. Dancing starts promptly at 7:30pm. Entry fees: * Members - $22 (includes HST) * Non Members - $28 (includes HST) * Student Members (18-25yrs) - $10 * Youth (under 18yrs) - $5 * Spectators - $5. Special price for Beginners enrolled in Branch Classes: $10. Host groups: • Hillcrest • Fallingbrook • A.S.T.A. Briefers: • Jean Noble • Wendy Loberg • Barbara Taylor

Sunday, March 18 - Dances by Barry Priddey (at Broadlands) Paul Maloney will teach dances by devisor, Barry Priddey, author of such favourites as The Sands of Morar, and creator of the turbillon formation. For Intermediate and Advanced dancers. From 2pm - 4:00 at Broadlands Community Centre, 19 Castlegrove Blvd, Don Mills <map>. $5.50 for Members; $8.50 for others.

Friday, March 23 - Ruth Jappy visits Erin Mills for some Old Time Dancing Erin Mills welcomes the return of Ruth Jappy to instruct us in the gentle art of Old Time Dancing -- always fun and, with Ruth's superb teaching, an enviable addition to your dancing repertoire ! Ruth will be the out-of-province Guest Teacher at the West End Workshop the following day. Her versatility is legendary !   Two-step out to the Mississauga Seniors' Centre <map> (our regular venue) for an 8 pm start, for the usual $5 fee. For additional information, contact the Hamiltons of Eaglemount (905) 566-9599.

Saturday, March 24 - The West End Workshop The 27th annual West End Workshop will be at Turner Fenton Secondary School, Brampton <map>. We have a new (comfortably danceable) WOOD FLOOR! Come and try it out this year! Teachers: Ruth Jappy, Becky Roman & David Booz. Musicians: Don Bartlett, Laird Brown/Donny Wood, TBA. $48 ($25 Youth) includes morning and afternoon classes, hot lunch, and tea dance. $15 afternoon tea dance only. Vendors may be available. For more info, contact Theresa Malek: (416) 535-4447. Download Application Form & Brochure; download cribs for the Tea Dance.

Saturday, March 31 - The Blair Spring Ball Blair Scottish Country Dancers cordially invite you to their Spring Ball. We'll have great music by The Scottish Accent. The programme, devised by Ian Souter, includes Alan J Smith, Cape Town Wedding, J B Milne, and Pelorus Jack. All dances will be briefed. We'll dine and dance in the Waterloo Regional Police Association Banquet Hall, 1128 Rife Road, Cambridge <map>. Cocktails at 5:00; Dinner at 6:00; Dancing at 8:00pm. Dancers $60; non-dancers $35. Download the Application Form. For more info contact Liz Reckers (519) 740-3789.

Saturday, April 28 - The John Middleton Ball Your friends in RSCDS Hamilton are hosting the John Middleton RSCDS Ball. This is a formal affair, in a suitably atmospheric setting -- the Scottish Rite, 4 Queen Street South, Hamilton <map>. There will be a Welcome Reception at 6pm, a sumptuous dinner at 6:30, and a Grand March to begin the dancing at 8:30. The evening's programme includes such favourites as The Wild Geese, Culla Bay, Napier's Index, and The Irish Rover. Of course, the evening will end with De'il Amang The Tailors. $65 per dancer. Download the Application Form. For more info contact Annette Sabourin (519) 647-3055.

Saturday, May 12 - The 43rd Annual West Toronto Ball Come and dance the night away to the music of The Scottish Accent under the “starlit” sky at Rameses Temple at the 43rd annual West Toronto Ball. This is a beginners' ball, but is an enjoyable evening for all levels of dancers. An all-inclusive ticket for dinner and dancing is $75 per person. Ticket order forms and brief sheets will be available soon. Contact Marcia Delamere (289) 837-3557.

Saturday, June 23 - The White Heather Ball Welcome to the glamourous White Heather Ball hosted by The Highlands of Durham. There will be good food, good music, good company, and a great wood floor to dance on at beautiful Sikorsky Hall in north Oshawa <map>. For more info contact Marjorie Mason 905-649-3532 or call the Wee Tartan Shop 905-985-6573.

Saturday, June 23 & Sunday, June 24 - The Canadian International Military Tattoo The Canadian International Military Tattoo is an inspiring 2-1/2 hour show of stirring music, dancing, pipes & drums, and military displays. This year will feature a commemoration of the 200th Anniversary of the War of 1812. We'll also celebrate the 150th Anniversary of The Royal Hamilton Light Infantry (WR). A variety of international guest performers will sparkle and delight. This is a Signature Event in the City of Hamilton, connecting Canadians to their military through music. Performances take place at Copps Colliseum, Hamilton. Tickets are now on sale (and the best seats go quickly). Click here for ticket info and purchase. Two performances: Saturday, June 23 at 7:30pm and Sunday, June 24 at 2:30pm

Upcoming Events (Far Away)

Feb 11 - 60th "Diamond" Highland Ball Your friends-in-dance in Berkhamsted Strathspey & Reel Club, England, have set aside a few tickets for visitors from overseas, and you will be made most welcome. 2012 marks the 60th Anniversary of our founding. The Ball takes place in a beautiful big hall at Ashlyns' School, and we'll dance to the music of Sandy Nixon and his Scottish Dance Band. It promises to be a glorious evening. Tickets, which include a light buffet supper, are just 25 GBP. For more info, visit the club website. [An added advantage of attending this event is that you will be very near the most remarkable, most interesting, daisy-chained counterflow roundabout at nearby Hemel-Hempstead where the A4146 and the A414 converge. And, if you're very perceptive, you'll spot the (very serious) traffic sign that warns, ominously: Caution: Humped Pelican Crossing Ahead.]

Feb 16-19, 2012 - Aloha Winter Weekend Aloha, Dancers -- The Hawaii Branch of the Royal Country Scottish Dance Society invites you to its annual Aloha Winter Weekend in Honolulu, Hawaii.  The theme is 'Rainbow Islands', and we will showcase each of the unique Hawaiin islands during the weekend events. We have invited guest instructor Eileen Hsu from Seattle to conduct classes on Saturday and Sunday, at the beautiful Palladium ballroom in the Ala Wai Golf Course clubhouse. We will have live music by the Humuhumunukunukuapua'a & Strathspey Society Band (a.k.a. the 'Humus') from San Francisco. For more info, download the brochure. Hawaii Branch sincerely hopes we will have many visitors to our island for this weekend of dancing and socializing. Last year's weekend was sensational, and this year's will be even better!  We hope to see you here. . . .Dede Lum RSCDS Hawaii Branch Secretary.

Feb 25 - RSCDS Ottawa Branch Workshop The Annual Ottawa Branch Workshop will be held at Parkdale United Church. This year we are delighted to have Carole Skinner as our teacher. Registration Fees: $20 per session. Carole was born in Scotland and immigrated to Canada in 1966 with her family. She now resides in Toronto with her husband Duncan. Carole is certified in both Highland and Scottish country dancing. The Toronto Association nominated her for the Branch Award in 2011 and also published a book of her dances. Intermediate/Advanced Dancers may attend both sessions for $30. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. Registration (coffee, tea, & juice) 9am - noon. Intermediate/Advanced Workshop (15 min. break) 12pm - 1pm. Light lunch & afternoon registration 1pm - 4pm Beginner/Basic Workshop (15 min. break). Hope to see you there. For more info, contact: Gay Elliott.

March 24 - Border Cities Workshop The Windsor and Detroit Branches of RSCDS invite you to their 16th annual Border Cities Workshop, at the Windsor Light Music Theatre, 2491 Jos. St. Louis Avenue, Windsor, Ontario <map>. You'll dance to great music by Fred Moyes and his bionic accordion. Your workshop teachers will be Carole Skinner and Fiona Philip. Carole (at left) was born in Scotland and immigrated to Canada in 1966 with her family. She now resides in Toronto with her husband Duncan. Carole is certified in both Highland and Scottish country dancing. RSCDS Toronto nominated her for a Branch Award in 2011 and rcently published a book of her dances. Fiona Philip (at right) is the daughter of dance legend and Scroll of Honour recipient, Jean Noble. Fiona started dancing as a youngster and was a member of the renowned Finlay dancers. Prior to obtaining her degree in education, Fiona for several years taught the Scottish country dance group at Trinity College in Toronto. For more info, visit RSCDS Windsor, or contact Jennifer Levack (519) 975-0353. Download the brochure and Application Form.

May 06-11, 2012 - Scottish Dance Masters' Conference Our Goals: • To stimulate communication and encourage open expression of ideas relating to Scottish dance and music • To enhance our level of skills and abilities Who is this conference for? • Those who are teaching Scottish dance classes who wish to explore the finer points of the art of teaching • Musicians who are playing for Scottish dance classes What does the package include? • Accommodation, Meals, daily classes, lectures, discussions, and evening activities, including a wine presentation • What about the venue and accommodation? The Bishop's Ranch is a retreat and conference center in the heart of Sonoma County's Russian River Valley. The Accommodation will be in one of 5 different buildings, each with a kitchen and meeting area. We will be the only group in residence. The dance space is a beautiful new pavilion specifically designed for dance. For more information, download the brochure or contact Nora Sutherland - 905-276-2602 or Irene Paterson - 425-438-8977 or Email scotdancemasters@gmail.com.

June 15-17, 2012 - 'Simply Scottish' on Salt Spring Island Save the Date!! Salt Spring is doing it again: Work has already started to bring you the best teachers and musicians to make for another memorable event. Elaine Brunken, Mary Murray, Geoffrey Selling will be our teachers. John Taylor and David Mostardi will play for the evening dances and will be joined by Mary Ross as workshop musicians. The last event was a fabulous success and the next one can be even better, with all of our creative ideas, fund raising and willingness to put Salt Spring further on the Scottish Country Dance map. For details, visit the Salt Spring Island Scottish Country Dancers website.

July 29 - Aug 05, 2012 - TAC Summer School Dancers of all levels are invited to Portland, Oregon, for the 40th anniversary TAC Summer School! You can expect great teachers from around the world: Jean Dodds (Australia), Ruth Jappy (BC), David Queen (UK), Gary Thomas (USA), and Ron Wallace (USA), We'll also have fantastic music by: Colin Dewar, Deby Benton Grosjean, Laird Brown, Andy Imbrie, Judi Nicholson, Frank Thomson, and Don Wood. Core dance classes every morning are specifically designed for your level. Optional afternoon classes offer a variety of choices including Highland, Ladies' Step, Formation Focus, Ball Dance Review, and Music Appreciation. There will be four social dances, a concert, a ceilidh, an Old Time dance, and a formal ball. There will also be musician workshops in the afternoons where you can learn from the best musicians in the business. Sightseeing opportunities include the Columbia Gorge waterfalls, Mount Hood, interesting Portland neighborhoods with tax free shopping and much more. Optional group tours will be offered on Wednesday afternoon. Download the Summer School poster for more information. Download the Registration Form. Or, read more, and/or register on-line at www.TAC-rscds.org/summer-school. April 30th is the deadline for Early Registration Discount.

July - August, 2012 - RSCDS Summer School at St Andrews The Society holds an annual Summer School in St Andrews, Scotland.  Approximately 1000 dancers from around the world attend this School each year to learn more about the dancing and dances, old and new; to enjoy dancing together; and to appreciate the wealth of Scotland's traditional music. You'll stay in residence at picturesque and historic St Andrews University (Prince William's alma mater). Every Scottish Country Dancer should make the pilgrimage to St Andrews at least once in their career. Many dancers have come here many times, for the atmosphere, the dancing, the teaching, the parties, the friendships, and the music. Summer School 2012 Planned Dates Week 1-----15 July-to-22 July   Week 2-----22 July-to-29 July   Week 3-----29 July-to-05 Aug Week 4-----05 Aug-to-12 Aug   Scholarships There are a variety of scholarships available for attendance at the School, and a reduced fee is offered to those under 26 years of age attending on either a residential or non-residential basis. The scholarship application form is usually available in October for the following year's School.  Booking More information on booking will be posted soon, along class and evening activity information.

Oct 06-08, 2012 - Dancing in the Rockies (in Banff) We invite you to join us for a 5-star weekend workshop and ball at the beautiful Banff Conference Centre on Tunnel Mountain Drive. There will be a welcome ceilidh and great music by The Scottish Accent. Teachers are Marjorie McLaughlin, Simon Scott, Sue Porter, and Ron Wallace. Download the brochure, and visit the RSCDS Calgary website for more information -- and a chance to take advantage of early-bird savings.

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