past events: 2005-06 (autumn)
SUSCDF | Newcastle Reelers Winter dance | Dunedin Autumn Dance | Mid-Semester Ceilidh | Freshers' weekend
SUSCDF December 2005
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By Linda G.
This year St Andrews Celticsoc were hosting SUSCDF the Younger hall was unavailable so we were in a different hall, which came with a Grand Piano ~V The music was provided by James Gray and friend (fiddler) so James used the piano rather than his keyboard which was nice.
Each of the Uni groups had the chance to perform, and all the performances were different although the "old guard" attempting to do Molly dancing were the funniest. Celticsoc managed to mix Scottish with swing, the others were mainly Scottish based but all very watchable (well I think ours was watchable!).
The programme for the evening was... challenging. As usual there were lots of dances which were not very familiar, but as all of them were called and some walked the programme was much easier to dance than I had initially thought.
Dinner had been prepared by Celticsoc, with an abundance of cous cous and rice salad. Pudding was profiteroles, meringues, and fresh fruit salad - all very welcome after the exertion of the dancing. All in all a fun evening and a good chance to catch up with the other groups.
Newcastle Reelers Winter dance
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By Linda G.
This year there were only 10 people who made it to the Reelers dance (I hope the attendance at the spring dance will be bigger!) despite it being a good bit nearer to Scotland than usual.
On the way down we stopped off in Berwick to do a quick dem which as usual was running late (wild geese as a strathspey is an *interesting* concept, and the feet blurred during the Highland Fling due to the speed of the band!) We made good time down to Morpeth and only missed the first two dances of the evening ~V which when there are 24 dances on the programme is probably a good thing!
The music was, as usual at this event, provided by Alistair wood and his band. The programme was challenging, the first half had less well known dances and the foursome in it and the second half had the problem of now which one am I going to miss so I survive the night?!?!?! Once the dancing had finished the two cars headed off to the accommodation in the 'Toon', the theory being you aren't driving back to Scotland and going to bed at 3am if you stay over, well we weren't driving until 3am, but it was nearly that before we made it to bed :-).
Dunedin Autumn Dance
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There was a good turn-out for this year's Autumn dance, which was held on Saturday 12th November with fantastic music from Craigowl. There was a great programme written by Jen, with some old favourites as well as some which involved a lot of concentration (Nighean Donn!), but the funniest part of the evening was when almost every set in the room made a pig's ear of Bonnie Lass O Bon Accord. I particularly enjoyed watching Nic standing in the middle of her set shrugging while the rest of the set did what might (?!) have been a grand chain around her! Congratulations to Christine, Neil, Katy and Linda who were re-elected for Dunedin's committee at the BGM that afternoon.
New Scotland Mid-Semester Ceilidh
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The Mid-Semester Ceilidh was fantastic! The Marwicks (of IALS dem fame) provided excellent music in their first New Scotland Ceilidh appearance, rockin' Teviot Debating Hall and keeping the energy high. Turnout was good, not too crowded but plenty of people on the floor, and a good mix of beginners and experienced folks. Despite its proximity to Halloween, nobody came in costume, although the ladybug hand-stamp gave some committee members an excuse for bodily adornment. Teviot donated several trays of sandwiches and quiches, which were welcome sustenance, and Henri brought leftover goodies from a Halloween party, so it was treats all around. Michael's calling was "expert" as usual, guiding beginners through the steps and ensuring a good time was had by all. He also introduced a fun new dance of his own creation, called the Pumpkin Polka. In all, it was a great evening!
Freshers' weekend 2005
Johann's
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Myshele's
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By Myshele
About 50 New Scotlanders had a fantastic time at Comrie Croft in Perthshire during this year's Fresher's Weekend! Friday evening we had a ceilidh in a barn -- complete with hay bales and tractors! Neil provided 'expert' calling and Nic kept us entertained with her silly games, which also helped everyone get to know each other better. The musical-chairs version of ceilidh dancing got us all more acquainted with the concrete floor, and name-that-tune led to a somewhat disastrous Cumberland Square Eight, but it was all good fun. After the ceilidh we retired to the common room for more silly games followed by disco dancing. With great music, an improvised bar, and lots of great company, revelry went late into the night.
Saturday morning was filled with excellent classes, although many people chose to have a lie-in after Friday night's exertions. Country and Highland had plenty of space to spread out in the common room, but due to the need for a wooden floor, Step was squeezed into a tiny foyer -- but we managed! Saturday afternoon, Alex led us in a mini Highland Games, with caber tossing, shot put, an egg-and-spoon race, a three-legged race, and a tug-of-war tournament. Bringing out the competitive spirit and spending some time outdoors, everyone had a great time.Saturday evening we had a Burns Supper, and some people were slightly traumatised by a murder attempt on our mascot Flora. Following the delicious haggis, neeps, tatties, and cranachan, there was more Scottish Country dancing, with a fancy-dress theme of Heroes and Villains. Winning the prize for best costume was Tom, who managed to get red paint on everyone from his devil-in-a-filidh-mor outfit. As with Friday night, dancing was followed by games, disco dancing, and general revelry.
Sunday morning some people went hillwalking, while others opted for a bit of R&R. On the way back to Edinburgh, we stopped for a distillery tour in Crieff, and many people took the opportunity to do some walking in the countryside. By the time we got back to Edinburgh in the late afternoon, we were all happily exhausted.