Open House : Tuesday September 8th   

Burns Ceilidh and Workshops January 23, 2010

VISCDS is delighted to have Ruth Jappy teaching and Mary Ross playing for our annual workshops on Saturday January 23, 2010. Please select either morning (Experienced) or afternoon (Basic/Intermediate) class and complete the registration form.

In the evening, we will have Mary Ross providing music for our Robbie Burns Ceilidh. The program is also listed in the November 2009 Island Fling newsletter.

Venue: St. Martin In-The-Fields Church Hall 550 Obed Avenue, Victoria, BC

9am to 11:30am: Experienced level workshop
For experienced and advanced dancers who have a good knowledge of all common formations and steps and are able to dance those dances with common formations after a brief walk-through.

1:30pm to 3:30pm: Basic / Intermediate level workshop
For those who are attending basic or intermediate weekly classes and are familiar with basic formations and dances.

Teacher: Ruth Jappy grew up with Irish music and dance – especially accordions, having a father and brother who played. She has taught, and husband Alex has played accordion, for the Delta Borderers SCD Class in Vancouver for 30 years as well as a weekly Old Time Dance class for 20 years. Ruth has taught at major workshops in Japan, Australia, and all over North America, including TAC Summer School, always encouraging dancers to strive for the highest personal standards. She is ever ready to help dancers of any level, and to act as a mentor for less experienced teachers. Ruth was presented with an RSCDS Scroll of Honour in 2006. Ruth says: “Music & Dance/Dance & Music - I love them both. These two ingredients cannot be separated and together they become a universal language that bridges many boundaries.”

Musician: Mary Ross’s Scottish Heritage led her to highland dancing and accordion lessons as a child and her love for both dance and music has never diminished. Mary is a member of RSCDS – Victoria Branch and of VISCDS. She has been dancing and playing at events in the Pacific Northwest since the early 1990s. Mary also plays for Irish Dancing competitions throughout North America, for German Schuhplattler Dancers and for Octoberfests. She is accompanist for the Scottish entertainer George McDowall and for the Victoria Police Chorus.

Questions? Contact Gael Forster (gael@shaw.ca)

Please bring your own cup for beverages and remember to wear your name tag for the workshops.

BURNS CEILIDH AND DANCE PROGRAM

MUSICIAN: MARY ROSS

The Burns Ceilidh will also be held at the St Martin in the Fields Church Hall, 550 Obed Avenue. Join us at 7:30pm for a festive evening of dances and Ceilidh acts including a performance by the VISCDS demonstration team. Later in the evening don’t miss the Address to the Haggis followed by refreshments, food and more dancing!

Please remember to bring your own plate and cup as well as your name tag for the evening Ceilidh.