This site includes the postings from the Irish Aires email list. This includes a listing of Irish/Celtic events in the Houston area and other information that the Irish Aires radio program posts.

Thursday, December 02, 2004

[Irish Aires] - Scottish Country Dancing & More

December 1, 2004 SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING AND MORE (SCDM): WEEKLY EMAIL NEWSLETTER http://home.att.net/~diannashipman ******* IN THIS ISSUE: * SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING AND MORE (SCDM) * DICKENS ON THE STRAND THIS WEEKEND (DEC. 3, 4, 5) * UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY - ENGLISH COUNTRY DANCING (Dec. 12) * CALENDAR PAGE * ST. ANDREWS' DAY / DAY OF THE SCOTS * TRAD TUNES - downloadable Celtic music * HAGGIS HUNT IS ON! * HEALTH: CALCIUM BOMB (new book) * INFO ON DANCING WITH SCDM ON WEDNESDAYS ******** SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING AND MORE: TONIGHT: We enjoyed practicing the dances we plan to do for Dickens on the Strand http://www.dickensonthestrand.org/index1.htm this weekend (see article below): *Sir Roger de Coverly, the dance from Chapter 2 "The First of the Three Spirits", in Dickens' A Christmas Carol - see photo on website: http://home.att.net/~diannashipman * Blue Bonnets * Hollerin for Haggis devised by George & Risa Keiller Tune: Hollerin’ for Haggis by Tom Campbell (Rogues CD: Hollerin for Haggis Track #10) *Circassian Circle, Gay Gordons, and we also danced for fun Laird of Atherton, New Scotland Strathspey. AND we had the pleasure of dancing to the wonderful bagpipe music of LARS SLOAN of American Bagpipes! We're dancing as guests of AMERICAN BAGPIPES http://www.americanbagpipes.com; thank you to LISA SANFORD, who is a drummer with American Bagpipes and our contact who coordinated the event for us. Our Showtimes: Saturday: 3:30-4 pm & 5:30-6 pm (Covent Garden Stage) Sunday: 12-12:30 (Covent Garden Stage) & 4:30-5 (Westminster Abbey Stage) THANK YOU to CAROL YOUNG for making the holly hair wreaths for the ladies to wear for our performances! PHOTOs on the website: LARS SLOAN (center); upper left: Fizziwig Ball omitted from Nov. 17 newsletter: we danced: Canadian Barn Dance, St. Bernard's Waltz, Gay Gordons, It's A Girl, Hollerin' for Haggis (twice), Sir Roger de Coverley (twice), Blue Bonnets, Dashing White Sergeants, Virginia Reel, Circassian Circle, Circle Waltz We dance on Wednesdays in the Heights and always welcome new dancers and musicians. For more details see the end of this newsletter. ************ DICKENS ON THE STRAND THIS WEEKEND (DEC. 3, 4, 5) Map http://www.dickensonthestrand.org/2004-tips.htm#map Event is 10 am to 9 pm on Sat and 10 am to 6 pm on Sun Presented for the 31st year by Galveston Historical Foundation http://www.galvestonhistory.org/ 150-200 costumed vendors Saturday: * 11 am Her Majesty Queen Victoria’s Knighting Ceremony, Trafalgar Square Stage * 12 noon Saturday Royal Victorian Wedding Ceremony Westminster Abbey Stage * 2 pm Queen's Parade * 3:30 pm American Bagpipes & Good Time Scottish Dancers - Covent Garden Stage * 4 pm Dickens Costume Contest Ladies & Gentlemen * 5:30 pm American Bagpipes & Good Time Scottish Dancers - Covent Garden Stage * 7pm Pickwick’s Lanternlight Parade Saturday Sunday * 10 am til it melts - Snow on Sunday * 12 noon American Bagpipes & Good Time Scottish Dancers - Covent Garden Stage * 1:00 pm Dickens Costume Contest for Families & Dickens Characters * 3 pm Queen's Parade * 4:30 pm American Bagpipes & Good Time Scottish Dancers - Westminster Abbey Stage Anyone in "costume" gets in for free - (otherwise tickets are $12 at the gate) More info on tickets: http://www.dickensonthestrand.org/2004-tickets.htm Stage Locations: Covent Garden Stage, 24th Street adn The Strand (Gate No. 5) Trafalgar Square Stage, 21st Street and The Strand Windsor Castle Stage, 22nd Street and The Strand Westminster Abbey Stage, 23rd Street and The Strand Piccadilly Circus, 2100 Block of Mechanic Street Marble Arch Stage, 2200 Block of Mechanic Street Strand Theatre, 2317 Mechanic, across from The Tremont Hotel Dianna's Note: I couldn't find a program or schedule for all the performers but I understand there will be continuous entertainment on all stages. PARKING ** parking info is on the Dickens website at http://www.dickensonthestrand.org/2004-tips.htm Trolley drop off: 24th at Mechanic COSTUMES: ** the Dickens site also has costume info at http://www.dickensonthestrand.org/2004-costume.htm Please note: wearing full Scottish dress will satisfy Festival requirements for Victorian period costume. Dianna's Note: For interesting info on hats, see: http://www.victorianmillinery.com/Catalog.cfm and Party Boy on Studewood (Montrose) has inexpensive Victorian hats and accessories for sale and more expensive items for rent. Houston Highland Games Association will have an info table at Caledonian Kitchen's booth #139 located at 23th St at Mechanic St, Galveston, Texas. Children’s Activities: All day Saturday & Sunday *Royal Menagerie petting zoo; *pony rides to Scrooge's Scavenger Hunt; *London Express train rides; *Piccadilly Circus: Professor Humbug;s flea circus; *Sheila Phillips storyteller; *"Bunnies in Peril" magic show; *Victorian craft activities Pick up Scavenger Hunt participation cards at any festival entry gate. Book Signings by Mark Charles Dickens, great-great-grandson of the legendary author Charles Dickens, will be available to sign Dickens’ literary works. Where in the ‘Dickens’ is That? All day Saturday & Sunday: second annual architectural treasure hunt contest at Dickens on The Strand! Pick up contest entry form at Information Booth #2 located at 24th Street and Ship’s Mechanic Row during the festival. Win a day sail aboard the 1877 tall ship ELISSA and many other great prizes. Sponsored by American Institute of Architects/Houston. Press releases: http://www.dickensonthestrand.org/2004-pressreleases.htm Sponsors: http://www.dickensonthestrand.org/2004-sponsors.htm Events requiring separate tickets: Traditional Dickens Feast http://www.dickensonthestrand.org/2004-event-feast.htm 7:00 p.m. Friday, December 3; and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, December 4 1880 Garten Verein, 2704 Avenue O http://www.galvestonhistory.org/plc-gartenverein.htm [$60/person; reservations required] English Country Breakfast http://www.dickensonthestrand.org/2004-event-breakfast.htm 9 a.m. & 11 a.m. Saturday, December 4; and 10 a.m. Sunday, December 5 1859 Ashton Villa Ballroom, 2328 Broadway http://www.galvestonhistory.org/plc-ashtonvilla.htm [$20/person; reservations required] Christmas By Candlelight http://www.dickensonthestrand.org/2004-event-candlelight.htm 5 p.m., 6 p.m., 7 p.m. & 8 p.m. Saturday, December 4 1838 Menard House, 1605 33rd Street http://www.galvestonhistory.org/plc-menardhouse.htm Christmas in the Republic of Texas http://www.dickensonthestrand.org/2004-event-texas.htm 5:00 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 6:00 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7:00 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 8:00 p.m. & 8:30 p.m. Saturday, December 4 1839 Samuel May Williams House, 3601 Avenue P http://www.galvestonhistory.org/plc-williamshouse.htm [$5/person; reservations required] Holiday Handbell Concerts http://www.dickensonthestrand.org/2004-event-handbell.htm 5:30pm, 6:30pm, 7:30 p.m. & 8:30 p.m. Friday, December 3 1860 St. Joseph Church, http://www.galvestonhistory.org/plc-stjoseph.htm 2202 Avenue K [$4/person; reservations required] West India Dock http://www.dickensonthestrand.org/2004-highlight-westidiadock.htm 10am to 9pm Saturday 10am to 6pm Sunday Pier 21 (21st Street at Harborside Drive) (INCLUDED WITH PURCHASE OF A DICKENS ON THE STRAND FESTIVAL TICKET) jaunty tunes of a concertina as “old salts” share tall tales of life at sea. demonstrations of traditional maritime skills and unique nautical crafts made by volunteer crew members of the 1877 tall ship ELISSA, a National Historic Landmark. Kids become pirates in “Jean Laffite’s Last Adventure”, an interactive children’s show. self-guided tours of the Texas Seaport Museum and ELISSA *********** UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY - ENGLISH COUNTRY DANCING Sunday, December 12, 5-7 pm Oxford Hall, 1135 Oxford, in the Houston Heights (Note: east of Heights Blvd. between 11th and 12th Sts) No cover charge but donations for the use of the hall and to show appreciation for the instructor would be welcome. RSVPs would be helpful along with an indication of your English Country dance experience and any areas you're interested in, to help in planning the program. Refreshments: There are soft drinks and bottled water at $1.00 and chips and packages of cookies for 50 cents each. However, feel free to bring refreshments to share. NON SMOKING. NO ALCHOLIC BEVERAGES PLEASE. Instructor: ROBERT MOIR * leading English Country Dance teacher * accredited by the English Folk Dance and Song Society * has run a series of dance training courses * choreographer * caller and dancer in Britain * appears regularly at the major national folk festivals in the UK * runs weekend events and costume balls * involved in numerous dance events abroad * has done three three week tours in New England - Boston thru NYC to Washington DC with numerous stop over events * is in the process of planning a trip to the West Coast in 2006 Program: the English Country Dance scene today in the UK which will offer a mix of Playford's dances to present day composers 'in the style of'. Robert writes in part about his teaching in Houston: I see [this] as presenting an opportunity to meet more of the worldwide dance community and to exchange friendly greetings with those I meet. If you have questions, contact Dianna Shipman at diannashipman@att.net or 713 522 1212 ************* CALENDAR PAGE (details on all items listed below can be found on the webpage at: ) THE COMING WEEK: 2 THURSDAY * ROYAL SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE SOCIETY Houston and District Branch Central General Class * First Thursday Night Contra Dance Oxford Hall 1135 Oxford in the Heights * BURNS CLUB 3 FRIDAY * Swingin' in the Cafe Houston Swing Out 8:00 PM BORDERS * Joy To the World - World Dance for the Holidays HCC Central Fine Arts 4 SATURDAY * Dec. 4 & 5 Dickens on the Strand (see article above) * ASCDS 28th Annual St. Andrews Ball * An American Folk Holiday THE TUDOR CHOIR with TRADITIONAL FIDDLER DAVID GREENBERG Christ Church Cathedral * Studio in the Heights presents acoustic guitarist Michael Mandrell in concert with special guest Kim Knudsen on silver and Blackwood flute * CONTRA DANCE: Holiday Ball (only dance in December) HOUSTON AREA TRADITIONAL DANCE SOCIETY 5 SUNDAY * Men of Houston Morris Dancers * IRISH SESSION 6.15pm. Rudyards Pub * YOUTH ACTIVITIES: St. Andrews Youth Venturing Group 6 MONDAY * ROYAL SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE SOCIETY Houston and District Branch LEAGUE CITY, TX: Class: Last clss: Dec. 6 * International Folk Dancing for beginners.HOUSTON INTERNATIONAL FOLK DANCERS 7 TUESDAY * Celtic Chorus of Houston NO MEETING!! SEE DEC. 11 INSTEAD * Strings n' Things 8 WEDNESDAY * SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING AND MORE! http://home.att.net/~diannashipman *Lloyd Ernstes' Wednesday Night Open Mike Oxford Hall, 1135 Oxford ************* ST. ANDREWS' DAY / DAY OF THE SCOTS All wearing their colors, E. J. Jones, Ros Shepherd, Carol Robertson, Sia Beaton, and Melvyn Douglass were at Houston City Council [Tuesday] afternoon [Nov. 30], representing: Houston Highland Games Association, http://houstonhighlandgames.com/ Heather & Thistle Society http://heatherandthistle.org/ and Texas Scottish Heritage Society http://www.txscot.com/. Council Member Mark Ellis read Governor Perry's 2004 Proclamation http://houstonhighlandgames.com/2004DayScots.htm declaring November 30th, 2004 "Day of the Scots" Sia Beaton presented Mayor White with a Texas Bluebonnet tartan tie. http://houstonhighlandgames.com/history_of_the_texas_bluebonnet.htm Melvyn Douglass presented Mayor White with a Caithness crystal candle holder/paper weight Bagpiper E. J. Jones http://www.piperjones.com/ closed the presentation by playing The Eyes of Texas Are Upon You http://www.pthompson.addr.com/eyes_of_texas.htm (Mayor White commented on his daughter's attempts to learn to play the bagpipes!) AND St. Andrews Day Celebration at Mucky Duck, 2425 Norfolk, Houston TX 77098 Tuesday, November 30, was well attended; Tartanic, Hugh Morrison & Mark Kenneth as accordian twosome while Dianna Shipman, assisted by Marilyn Johnson, turned some ceilidh dances into Scottish line dances, silent auction by Houston Highland Games Association, a great performance by Jiggernaut! http://www.mcgonigels.com/standrews.html Also see an article in the Tuesday, Nov 30th edition of the Houston Chronicle, by Allan Turner. ********** TRAD TUNES - downloadable Celtic music http://www.Tradtunes.com Trad Tunes offers an iTunes like service of downloadable Celtic music from its catalog of 10,000 songs! ********** HAGGIS HUNT IS ON! http://haggishunt.scotsman.com/ (Dogs have never been used to hunt the haggis, so recent legislation does not affect the hunt.) Today, Scots in their thousands will head for the hills in the hope of bagging a few of the beasties - not for eating, as they are particularly foul-tasting this early in the season, but just for the fun of it. To join in the cruelty-free hunt from the comfort of your home, head over to the all new HaggisHunt.com - are you up for the challenge? (from Helen Mann) ********* HEALTH: CALCIUM BOMB (new book) http://www.calcify.com/ (submitted by Patrick Moore) ********** COME JOIN US: Wednesdays, 7-10 pm SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING AND MORE website: http://home.att.net/~diannashipman NEW DANCERS WELCOME - Families welcome (children must be accompanied by parent / guardian). $5 for those 14 and over; $2.50 those under 14 ($15 maximum per family) - fourth consecutive Wednesday free. Location: Oddfellows Hall, 115 E. 14th St. (Heights), Houston, Texas (3rd building on left traveling east from Heights Blvd. - 2 story red brick - entrance recessed about 15 feet from street - dancing upstairs). LINKS ON WEBSITE with map & photo MAP: http://home.att.net/~diannashipman/MapOddfellows.gif PHOTO OF HALL: http://home.att.net/~diannashipman/OddfellowsHall.jpg *************************** Dianna Dianna L. Shipman diannashipman@att.net Scottish Country Dancing and More Houston, Texas web page: http://home.att.net/~diannashipman phone: 713-522-1212
Posted by: Unknown / 5:27 AM
Comments: Post a Comment

<< Home

This page is powered by Blogger. Isn't yours?