march/april 2015 · reel & strathspeyper • rscds • san francisco branch 2 may monthly party...
TRANSCRIPT
In this issue
From the Chair ............................................................. page 1
Monthly Parties ........................................................... page 2
Branch Calendar ........................................................... page 3 Register for the Beginners’ Ball .................................... page 3
Events Elsewhere ......................................................... page 4
A Real Show of Support ............................................... page 7
Volunteers .................................................................. page 10
Class List ................................................................... page 11
v o l u m e 5 1 n u m b e r 4 m a r c h / a p r i l 2 0 1 5
From the Chair
by Don MacQueen, Branch Chair
It's getting to be that time again! By which I mean our Branch
Annual General Meeting—which includes a Branch Committee
election—is coming soon. 2015 is an odd-numbered year, so five
members' terms are coming to an end (vs. four in even-numbered
years). Terms are ending for Don Grant, Don MacQueen, Syl-
vain Pelletier, Donna Weidenfeller, and Geoffrey Wood. All have
volunteered to run for re-election. But here's the deal: everyone is
always welcome to attend and participate in Branch Committee
meetings -- but if you want to have a voting say you need to be a
Branch Committee member.
I have been told we already have one new person interested in running, but more would be great. Ballots are required to be
mailed no later than April 17 (15 days before the AGM), so if
you're interested, please let me or someone on the BC know of
your interest sometime before (preferably well before!) then. We'll
ask you for a passport-size photo and a candidate's statement to be
included with the ballot. Terms are for two years.
In other news, thanks to the Valentines Ball Committee, the Ball
program committee, and Fiddlesticks and Ivory (and the sound
engineers, and the many additional volunteers, and, and, and...) for
a wonderful dance, and for the event-filled weekend recognizing
our 50th anniversary as a Branch of the Royal Scottish Country
Dance Society.
The Red Thistle Dancers is pleased to announce the launch of our
new website which has been redesigned to better support our mis-
sion of celebrating & fostering Scottish culture and heritage
through the performance of Scottish dance and music. Please
visit www.redthistledancers.org, explore our site, share your views and sign our guest book!
R E E L & S T R A T H S P E Y P E R • R S C D S • S A N F R A N C I S C O B R A N C H
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May Monthly Party
7:30 p.m., Saturday, May 2, 2015
Alameda Masonic Temple, 2312 Alameda Ave., Alameda
Hosts: San Francisco, New World
Dance Source Type Level
The Laird of Milton’s Daughter 22/10 8x32 J 3 B/I
Lady Glasgow MMM/45 8x32 S 3 B
The Weathercock+ Graded2/16 4x32 J 4 A/I
For All the Ladies+ Barbour/Repeat Prescription 8x32 S 3 I
Pugwash and Tatamagouche Wallace/SanAndreas 8x32 H 3 I
Haste to the Wedding 25/6 8x32 J 2 B
The Falkirk Lass Brunken/Moments 8x32 S 3 I
The Rutland Reel 48/2 8x40 R 3 I
The Lammermuir Hills Goldring/AuldFriendsMeet 8x32 S 2 I
Pinewoods Reel Dickson/YankeeSampler 8x32 R 3 A
Easy Peasy Graded2/8 8x32 R 2 B
My Friend Joe 38/2 8x32 S 3 I/A
The Alder Burn+ Drewry/Brodie 8x32 J 3 A
The Ring of Brodgar+ Haynes/Cairnforth5 4x32 S sq B/I
Sleepy Maggie+ 11/5 8x32 R 3 B/I
+ new this month
June Monthly Party
3:00 p.m., Saturday, June 6, 2015
Aptos Grange, 2555 Mar Vista Dr., Aptos
Host: Santa Cruz, Monterey
Dance Source Type Level
The Laird of Milton’s Daughter 22/10 8x32 J 3 B/I
Invercauld’s Reel+ 11/10 8x32 S 3 B/I
The Weathercock Graded2/16 4x32 J 4 A/I
The Falkirk Lass Brunken/Moments 8x32 S 3 I
Bratach Bana+ Drewry/BonAccord 8x32 R 3 A
Maxwell’s Rant+ 18/10 8x32 R 3 B
A Summer Meeting+ 48/9 3x32 S 3set I
Pugwash and Tatamagouche Wallace/SanAndreas 8x32 H 3 I
The Quaich+ Drewry/Rondel 8x32 S 3 I Pinewoods Reel Dickson/YankeeSampler 8x32 R 3 A
Blue Bonnets+ 3/5 8x32 J 2 B
For All the Ladies Barbour/Repeat Prescription 8x32 S 3 I
The Alder Burn Drewry/Brodie 8x32 J 3 A
The Ring of Brodgar Haynes/Cairnforth5 4x32 S sq B/I
Sleepy Maggie 11/5 8x32 R 3 B/I
Programming Committee: Linda Henderson, Fred Demarse, and Bruce Herbold
How To Get There:
ALAMEDA MASONIC TEMPLE
(between Park and Oak Streets).
FROM THE SOUTH: Take 880 North,
exit at High Street (south of the Bay
Bridge) and drive west across the High
Street bridge into Alameda. Continue on
High Street for about six blocks and turn
right on Central Avenue. Go for another
10 blocks to Park Street (with traffic light,
past Park Avenue). Turn left on Park
Street, go one block and turn right on
Alameda Avenue. The Masonic Temple is
on the left about ½ block before Oak
Street.
FROM THE NORTH: Take 880 South
and exit at 23rd Avenue. When you have
crossed the bridge going west, you will be
on Park Avenue. Continue on Park until
you come to Alameda Avenue and turn
right. There is free parking after 6:00 p.m.
in a city lot right across the street from the
Temple, but accessible only from Central
Avenue, one block east. You can turn
right from Alameda onto Oak, right on
Central and right into the lot, after about
½ block–or just drive straight across Park
the lot after about ½ block, and walk to
the Temple at the far end of the lot. The
party will be in the Banquet Room on the
fourth floor. There is an elevator.
APTOS GRANGE Heading south from the Bay Area, take
Highway 1 towards Aptos. Take the Park
Exit (Exit 436). Turn left on Park Avenue.
Turn right onto Soquel Drive, and right
again onto Mar Vista Drive. The hall is on
the right, identified by a small white sign,
sitting back from the road with a large
parking lot in front.
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RSCDS-SF CALENDAR OF EVENTS • 2015 Revised 2/6/2015 • Compiled by Amy Van Doren [email protected]
FEBRUARY 2015
15, Su: 1:45-4:15pm, FEATURED DEVISOR CLASS, Inter-
mediate/advanced level. $9 per class. Holbrook Palmer
Park, 150 Watkins Ave, Atherton. Teachers Lin Pettengill
and Paula Jacobson. Info: Paula 831-688-8295 or Lin 650-
455-3872
MARCH 2015
7, Sa: 7:30pm, MONTHLY PARTY, sponsored by the Santa
Rosa Class and Dunsmuir Dancers. Unitarian Universalist
Marin, 240 Channing Way in San Rafael. Info: Mark Burt,
510-760-7595 or [email protected]
14, Sa: 2:00-6:00pm, THE CHILDREN’S BALL, Invitation
only. Info: Kathleen McAdam 925-934-6148
15, Su: 1:45-4:15pm, FEATURED DEVISOR CLASS, Inter-
mediate/advanced level. $9 per class. Holbrook Palmer
Park, 150 Watkins Ave, Atherton. Teachers Lin Pettengill
and Paula Jacobson. Info: Paula 831-688-8295 or Lin 650-
455-3872
20, Fr: 8:00pm, BERKELEY SOCIAL. Christ Church Berke-
ley, 2138 Cedar Street, Berkeley. Live music by David
Mostardi & friends. Info: David Newitt at
[email protected] or 510 653-7507
APRIL 2015
4, Sa: 7:30pm, MONTHLY PARTY, sponsored by the Camp-
bell Class and Red Thistle Dancers. Mountain View Ma-
sonic Temple, 890 Church St in Mountain View. Info:
Mark Burt, 510-760-7595 or [email protected]
19, Su: 1:45-4:15pm, FEATURED DEVISOR CLASS, Inter-
mediate/advanced level. $9 per class. Holbrook Palmer
Park, 150 Watkins Ave, Atherton. Teachers Lin Pettengill
and Paula Jacobson. Info: Paula 831-688-8295 or Lin 650-
455-3872
MAY 2015
2, Sa: 7:30pm, MONTHLY PARTY, sponsored by the San
Francisco Class and New World Dancers. Alameda Mason-ic Temple, 2312 Alameda Avenue in Alameda. Info: Mark
Burt, 510-760-7595 or [email protected]
15, Fr: 8:00pm, BERKELEY SOCIAL. Christ Church Berke-
ley, 2138 Cedar St, Berkeley. Live music by Davidity
(Davids Mostardi, Newitt & Strong). Info:
[email protected] or 510 653-7507
JUNE 2015
6, Sa: 3:00pm, MONTHLY PARTY, sponsored by the Santa Cruz and Monterey Classes, Aptos Grange 2555 Mar Vista
Drive in Aptos. Info: Mark Burt, 510-760-7595 or
18, Th: 7:45pm SUMMER SOLSTICE PARTY. Sponsored by
the San Francisco Class. The Polish Club, 3040 22nd St at
the corner of Shotwell in San Francisco. $10. Live music
by Patti Cobb and her band. Info: Linnea Johnson at
[email protected] or 415-841-9456, or see:
http://www.sf-scottishdancers.org
20, Sa: 7pm, THE BEGINNER’S BALL, Hermann Sons Hall,
860 Western Ave, Petaluma. Info: Sherry Wright at 707-
823-9332
27, Sa: TRUCKEE WORKSHOP, Truckee-Donner Recreation
Center, 10046 Church St, Truckee, CA. Info: Dave Wil-
son at [email protected]
AUGUST 2015
15, Sa: 4:30 pm, SUMMER BY THE SEA, sponsored by the
Santa Cruz Class, Peace United Church of Christ, 900
High St, Santa Cruz. Live Music by Janet Kurnick and
Andy Imbrie. Info: Susan Elgin at 831-335-7288 or el-
NOVEMBER 2015
13-15, Fr-Su: ANNUAL ASILOMAR WEEKEND AND
BALL at Asilomar Conference Grounds, Pacific Grove, CA. More details in April 2015. Asilomar Chairman:
Patti Cobb at 510-858-7588 or [email protected].
Register for the Beginners' Ball!
by Sherry Wright and Anna Jean
Greetings dancers, families and friends! It's time to register for
the 2015 Beginners' Ball, celebrating all new dancers. Please
join us on Saturday, June 20, 2015 at 7:00 pm for an exciting
evening of Scottish dancing to the live music of Hood, Wink &
Swagger at Hermann Sons Hall, Petaluma, CA. Please save the
date and encourage your friends, family, and especially new
dancers to attend. Enjoy the grand march, a champagne toast to
the new dancers of 2014-2015, the company of friends old and
new, and an after-ball buffet!
Please see the flyer and registration sheet in this issue. Mail
your registration by Saturday, June 13 for the early registration discount prices: $25 for adults, $10 for youth (16 and under), $8
for spectators (includes buffet). After June 13, registration fee
increases to $30 for adults, $12 for youth (remains $8 for spec-
tators). For more information, please contact the chairperson:
Sherry Wright, 707-823-9332, ([email protected].
We look forward to seeing you at the Beginners' Ball!
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FEBRUARY 2015
Fri-Sun 13-15 Honolulu (HI) Aloha Winter. Sponsored by Hawaii, RSCDS Branch. Registration deadline was Jan. 15. Fri: eve social; Sat: classes, eve ball; Sun: am classes, eve ceilidh. Teacher: Linda Henderson. Music: Humuhumunukunukuapua'a & Strathspey So-ciety Band (Bruce Herbold, Patti Cob, David Newitt, Heather MacKay, + David Mostardi). Casual / semi-formal attire. Fri 5:00 - 8:30 pm: “ Pupus” (light sup-per) & Social dance. Sat: 9-12,1-2 classes. Light brek-fast 8:30, lunch at noon; 5 pm Dinner & semiformal dance. Sun: 9:30-11:30 am Class, 5:30-9 pm Ceilidh. US$160.RSCDS members, $180 non-members. See website for more details. Contact Melissa Lindsay 808-256-3347 [email protected] or Bruce McEw-an 808-538-7707 [email protected]. [www.RSCDSHawaii.org]
MARCH 2015
Sat 14 Lake Oswego (WA) Portland Branch Work-shop & Ball. Sponsored by RSCDS Portland, Oregon Branch. Workshop classes 10am-4pm, Ball 7pm. Teachers: Roberta Gotfried, Bob McMurtry. Music: Deby Benton Grosjean. Cynthia Soohoo. Semi-formal attire. Lunch for dancers, finger food at Ball. US$65. Contact Linda Mae Dennis 360-609-0623 [email protected]. [www.PortlandScottishDancers.org]
Fri-Sun 20-22 Madison (WI) Annual Ball Weekend. Sponsored by Madison Scottish Country Dancers. Fri: Concert 8pm; Sat: Dance Workshop 9:30am, Music Workshop 1pm, Reception and Sit-Down Dinner 5:30pm, Ball 7:30pm, Sun: Brunch 10am. Music: Paul Woodiel (fiddle), Susie Petrov (piano). Contact Nancy McClements 608-233-2956 [email protected] or Ann Lindsey 608-833-7690 [email protected]. [www.madisonscottishcountrydancers.org]
Fri-Sun, 20-22 Washington (PA) Pittsburgh 43rd Annual Highland Ball & Workshop Sponsored by Pittsburgh Scottish Country Dance Society. Sat: Class 1-3pm, dinner & dance 6pm; Sun: Class & brunch 10am. Teacher: Ellen Sears. Music: Thistle House. Semi-Formal to Formal attire. Any or all Saturday events: $80,includes dinner; Any or all Sunday events: $20, includes brunch. Contact Arthur McNair 412-915-0585
[email protected]. [www.pscds.org]
APRIL 2015
Fri-Sun, 17-19 Melrose (MA) RSCDS Boston Branch Highland Ball Weekend. Sponsored by Boston, RSCDS Branch. Fri: Welcome dance 8pm; Sat: Re-ception 5:30pm, Dinner 6:30pm, Grand March 8pm; Sun: Brunch 11am-3pm. Welcome Dance musiC: Ed Pearlman (fiddle) & Neil Pearlman (keyboard). Ball music: Frost and Fire: Peter Macfarlane, fiddle, Viveka Fox (fiddle, Aaron Marcus (keyboard), Hollis Easter (flute and pipes). Sunday Brunch music: Dan Wheat-ley and the Gunns. Welcome Dance at different site. See website for ap-plication, dance program, directions. Contact Sara and Ed Pokrass (Co-chairs) [email protected]. [www.rscdsBoston.org/events-HighlandBall.html]
Fri-Sun, 17-19 Picton (ON) Tartan Tea Workshop Week-end. Sponsored by Picton Scottish Country Dancers. Fri: Social Sat: Workshop, Dinner, informal Dance & Ceilidh Sun: Tea Dance. Teachers: Christine Basnet, Lorraine Sutton. Music: Fred Moyes. Fri: Finger Buffet Sat: Lunch & Dinner Sun: Tea & Refreshments. Con-tact Sheila Keller 613-393-2915 [email protected] or Odessa Fraser 613-549-6818 [email protected].
MAY 2015
Fri-Sun, 15-17 Hopewell Junction (NY) Pawling Week-end. Sponsored by RSCDS New York Branch. Fri: 8pm Welcome dance, 11pm-? After-party. Teachers: Jim Stott (Aberdeen, UK), Marjorie Mclaughlin (San Diego), Fred DeMarse (San Francisco). Music: Scotch Mist & Jim Stevenson-Mathews. Welcome dance: cas-ual attire; Ball: formal attire. Sat: 9am-12:15pm Clas-ses, 2pm Teacher workshop or Ball walk-through, 8pm Ball, midnight: Ceilidh, 1am After-party; Sun: 10.30am Classes, 2pm Champagne dance. All meals provided Friday dinner to Sunday lunch. Prices: See website in January 2015. Contact Sally Clayton [email protected]. [www.rscdsNewYork.org]
Sat 16 Sacramento (CA) Spring Ball & Workshop. Sponsored by RSCDS Sacramento Branch, Sacra-mento, CA. Workshops: 10:30am-12, 1:30 - 3:00pm. Ball review 3:00 pm. Ball: 7 pm.Teacher: Bruce Hamil-ton. Ball Review Party Sat. May 9, 3:30 pm; potluck dinner to follow. Ball, workshop, & dinner: $60 post-marked by 4/1, $65 postmarked 5/1, $70 at door. Re-
RSCDS EVENTS ELSEWHERE • 2015 Revised 1/25/15 • Compiled by Mimi Mueller [email protected]
Limited information only. For more information on these and other events,
try the Inter-City Scot: www.intercityscot.org/eventList.php and individual contacts noted.
Please note that some events offer discounts for early registration. These are in bold type when I am aware of them.
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duced rates for students; prices for individual events. Remit to: RSCDS Sacramento Spring Ball, PO Box 162455, Sacramento, CA 95816.rscds-sacramento.org
Fri-Mon 22-25 Copenhagen (Denmark) RSCDS Inter-national Branch Dance Weekend. Sponsored by RSCDS International Branch. Fri: dance 7:30-10:30; Sat/Sun/Mon: classes 9:30-12:30; Sat eve: ceilidh; Sun eve: Ball. Teachers: Ron Wallace (USA), Jessie Stuart (SCO), Gary Coull (SCO). Music: Ian Muir and the Craigellachie Band. May 26-31: Six-day holiday of Denmark available immediately following the dance weekend. Contact Fred DeMarse [email protected] or Chris Harris [email protected]. [www.rscds-ib.org/index.php/denmark-2015]
JUNE 2015
Fri-Sat, 5-7 Beloit (IL) Midwest Scottish Weekend. Sponsored by Chicago, Madison and Milwaukee Scot-tish Country Dance Groups. Fri welcome dance 8-11pm; Sat classes, Ball, ceilidh; Sun classes 9am-noon. Teacher: Linda Henderson. Music: Katie Mac-Nally (fiddle), Neil Pearlman (piano). US$240. Contact Mady Newfield 630-584-0825 [email protected]. [sites.google.com/site/midwestscottishweekend]
AUGUST 2015
Mon-Fri, 24-28 Wolfville (NS) Scotch on the Rocks. Classes: 9:30am-12.30pm. (classes at Intermediate-Advanced level). Two one-half day excursions. One 1-hour massage designed to help keep one dancing through the years. Teachers: Duncan, Maggie Kep-pie.Music: MiniMacs. Cdn/US $200; Cdn$100 for non-dancing partners. Accommodations not included. Spe-cial rates at Old Orchard Inn. See flyer for further in-formation. Contact Valley Scottish Country Dancers 902-542-5320 [email protected]. [www.vscd.info/2014_SCD_week.pdf]
AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2015
Aug 28 - Sept 2 Fri-Wed Salzburg (Austria) SCD Workshop and Tourist Program, Salzburg, Austria. Fri: ceilidh 7pm; Sat classes morn & aft, ball; Sun morn class, optional tour of Salzburg, Mon-Wed optional tourist program. Teachers: Ron Wallace , Jim Cook. Ceilidh music: Liam Smith & his band, Ball mu-sic:Sarah-Jane Summers, Workshop music: Sue Bollans,Silke Groshoz. Meals, snacks, drinks provid-ed. US$255.Contact Regina Freinbichler [email protected]. [www.turnverein-maxglan.at/workshop.htm]
SEPTEMBER 2015
Fri-Sun, 18-20 High View (WV) Scottish Weekend at Timber Ridge Camp. Sponsored by Scottish Week-end. Welcome Dance, classes Saturday morning, evening dress Ball followed by a ceilidh; Sunday morning classes. Teachers: Antoine Rousseau, Janet Walker, Ellie Briscoe. Music :Jim Lindsay. Casual, semiformal, formal attire. US$275. All meals Friday dinner through Sunday lunch, refreshments/snacks. Weekend includes Camp located in beautiful West Virginia mountains.Contact Scottish Weekend [email protected]. [www.scottishweekend.org]
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R E E L & S T R A T H S P E Y P E R • R S C D S • S A N F R A N C I S C O B R A N C H
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A Real Show of Support
by Greg Reznick
In December, I reported that we had received a challenge grant
that would match donations to the Asilomar fund up to $1,000.
Well, Asilomar Weekend fans met that challenge so quickly that
the donor offered another $1,000 grant. Again, the outpouring
of support was overwhelming. By the time December was over,
we had received over $4,000 to add to the $2,000 challenge. At
this point we have raised over $10,000 to support the Asilomar
Weekend with supporters from afar joining members of the San
Francisco Branch to help ensure that Magic of Merrill will con-
tinue.
This is no small feat. Organizations such as ours struggle to find support. KQED subjects us to pledge drives twice a year. And,
no matter the size of their endowment, our alma maters continue
to ring our phones during dinner. But, for the Asilomar Week-
end, all we have to do is ask. I think I know why: there is noth-
ing like it, anywhere in the world. When you combine the loca-
tion with the classrooms and the magnificent Merrill Hall, to-
gether with unbelievably good music and great teachers, deliv-
ered with an attention to detail by a dedicated team of volunteer
committee members, it’s easy to see why it’s the Gold Standard
for Scottish Country Dance weekends. And that’s why so many
of us are intent on seeing it continue.
You might be asking what we are going to do with these dona-
tions. The first is a little old-fashioned marketing. (Well, it’s not
all old-fashioned.) Like placing an ad in the Scottish Country
Dancer, the magazine that is produced by the RSCDS. Because
filling the Weekend will make it much easier to make ends
meet. And who doesn’t want to spend some time in California?
The Monterey Peninsula and the Bay Area get millions of visi-
tors from all over the world every single year. Why not include
a wonderful weekend of dance in a California vacation?
But there’s more. The Asilomar Weekend website has received
a brand new look. (Check it out at the link in the ad on this
page.) Once again, it’s the volunteers that make the difference . Charlotte Greig is contributing her marketing prowess to pro-
duce ads and web pages, both on the Branch website and on
Facebook to let the world know about our wonderful weekend.
We are lucky to have her! Thanks, Charlotte!
We will also use the funds to ensure that we can retain our com-
mitment to excellence when planning the event. Financial pru-
dence is a must; we can’t count on increased attendance until we
see it happen. But starting with your generous support at the top
line makes budgeting easier. And a great weekend with great
marketing is sure to be a great success.
I bet you’re wondering what more you can do. First and fore-most: be an Asilomar Ambassador. Let others know about the
Magic of Merrill when you’re dancing elsewhere. There is no
better marketing than word-of-mouth. We’re counting on you to
spread the word.
Second, watch for Asilomar Events throughout the year. We’re
planning a series of house concerts to benefit the Asilomar
Fund. Great music and good company.
Finally, sign up, come on down to Pacific Grove, and have a
great time!
The Reel & Strathspeyper is a bi-monthly publication of the San Francisco Branch of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society, a
nonprofit educational organization. Access to online editions is a benefit of Branch membership. Printed copies are available by
subscription. For change of email or mailing address, please contact Gary Thomas 707.235.5423, [email protected].
The editor reserves the right to reject, alter or edit any material submitted for publication for reasons of taste, space, style, or clarity. All materials for publication should be submitted on CD-R in a word processing format, or sent by e-mail prior to the deadline (the
1st of even-numbered months). Exceptions may be made for last-minute notices, or on a space-available basis, when the editor is
notified prior to the deadline.
Editors of other newsletters may use or adapt any materials in the Reel & Strathspeyper unless a specific copyright notice is
included. Please credit author and original source.
Editors ................................. Greg Reznick, Olga Reznick
Design...................................... Mary Margaret McMurtry
Production, Layout, Typesetting ..................Greg Reznick
Printing and Distribution .............................Greg Reznick
All articles should be on CD-R in a word processing format or
sent by e-mail. Please send contributions to:
Greg Reznick
1018 Shattuck Avenue Berkeley, CA 94707
Phone: 510.558.8075
E-mail: [email protected]
Dated material - please do not delay