What a way to end our dancing season. Two really excellent, fun classes and then a truly fabulous night of eating, drinking and dancing at the June Jamboree. Pictures from the evening, both my own and others, and my write up can be found HERE or via the Past Events link above, but there's room to say here, yet again, how brilliantly the new events team at the Elea Golf Resort treated us all, both organizers and every one of the guests. And the food was back to the old Elea's standard, and possibly - no probably - even better! Thank-you to everyone who sent such gratifying feedback- there are several of us peddling away in the background to make these things happen, but the main 'man' dealing with all the venue arrangements is Irene. Quite literally nothing would happen without her! Our next event (booked already by Irene of course :-) is the St Andrew Group Ball at the Kamares Club again on Sat. 1st November. Keep an eye on the Future Events page to see more information as we get closer to the day. We restart our dance classes on Monday 2nd & Tuesday 3rd Sept. I will send out reminders before we restart because although everyone was saying that they can't wait for us to begin again. it's going to be along hot summer and our brains will be frazzled by then!
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We're not quite at the end, but next week's classes are the last for this spring/summer season. It's been an amazing few months - so many new faces have joined us. Both Monday and Tuesday sessions have been well attended and although very different in style, both have kept their fantastic atmospheres of mutual friendliness & fun - and people somehow seem to have learnt something too!. We are still welcoming new people and visitors to the classes, and it's great to see some of our 'sick list' gradually returning to us before the break - hopefully everyone will be fully recovered by our return to dancing in September.
If you haven't got your June Jamboree tickets yet... please, at least let us know that you are intending to come, there's plenty of room but there's lots to prepare too and although our confirmed numbers are gradually increasing, we know there are quite a few of you out there who are 'checking your diaries' but haven't got back to us yet. I admit even I have still not worked out what to wear, but in the end, as long as it cool and smartish, anything goes so I'm sure the wardrobe will provide something. Here's the poster again in case you've missed it - It's a truly special night so I hope you can make it, and in the meantime don't forget our final classes before the break are next week. Our class turnouts continue to be good despite the heat and 'distractions' from outside events. On Monday we had an almost completely different group from the previous week but still managed to get a full set up to practice a very varied selection of dances. The weather is continuing to be scorchingly hot so having the AC back on line was vital to the class - and even with it pumping out full blast it was still a tad warm for doing anything that demanded too much brain work. Tuesday evening was equally hot and we weren't surprised when only a few people had arrived by 6 pm -especially since there was a huge fire raging in the hills above Paphos - however people kept on coming and yet again we danced many of the dances with 2 sets up. Sadly this was the last night that we will see our wonderful bar ladies smiling across the bar at us. They had been with us since we started dancing at the Phoenix Club, but with one heading home the other has called it a day as well. They had very kindly brought in cake for us all which we enjoyed during our mid-dance break and we presented a card and chocolates from the group, as well as some Cyprus Delight. We will miss them both very much but we live in hope they'll be back - maybe to enjoy the dancing as dancers rather than onlookers? We've only 2 and a bit weeks to go before the June Jamboree signals the end of our Spring dance season, it seems to be approaching incredibly fast - make sure you've got your tickets - there's plenty of room for everybody but there will be a cut off prior to the event so that we can let the Elea know how many to cater for. See you soon I hope...
Flaming June has arrived. And we don't mind at all.... except when there's a power cut halfway through the Monday afternoon class. With my Pollyanna hat on I can be glad that at least it was light but the speed at which we warmed up without the air conditioner, and ceiling fans, reminded us of why we don't dance all the way through the summer! However, we kept going, slightly more flushed than we might have been, but still enjoying ourselves learning the beautiful strathspey 'The Orchards of Co. Armagh'. In consideration of the heat and our slightly melted state another strathspey seemed a good idea and we successfully tackled the Paisley Weavers before the power was miraculously restored and we zoomed through the much more energetic reel, The Devil's Elbow before realising that although the fans were doing us sterling service the A C was having a serious sulk. Of course, once we realised that we weren't actually being AC'd it seemed far too hot to carry on, so we had to call a halt, but since we only had 10 minutes to go we didn't lose out much - well done to everyone involved. And then onto Tuesday... despite informing 'management' of the problem we were still AC-less. With a degree of misgiving we moved the furniture as usual- but although it was cooler inside than out and the fans were frantically spinning, but still very hot and we fully expected everyone to be more interested in hydration than dancing. But no, despite the sauna like conditions everyone danced! It was an excellent night, we had 2 sets up for many of the dances and lots of fun with the trickier ones - the heat definitely didn't help, but everyone did well despite that - a good night all round, even though we sadly had to say goodbye so some of our dancing visitors, it was a memorable night to leave on! And for the rest of us - see you next week.
Having left it so long between blethers last month I'm going to try and keep up again over the next few weeks. This week the weather has been slightly unpredictable, sunny days have been chilly because of a cold wind, cloudy days have been warmer but have delivered the occasional shower. It's not stopped us needing the air-conditioning during the dance classes but although the need for cooling is consistent with summer being on the way, the numbers at the classes are not. Usually class attendances have dropped dramatically by now, but this Tuesday we had more at the session than we've had for weeks. It was lovely to welcome back some of our temporary absentees ... but of course it was then inevitable that sets were slow to make up ... everyone was initially more keen to catch up than to dance, however once we got going it was the usual fun night, though a bit more challenging than most. The day before our Monday, (so called) 'beginner's' group had lulled me into a false sense of security by learning the two more complex Strathspeys on the programme with apparent ease. It was interesting to note that almost as much teaching was needed on Tuesday - however there were a lot more distractions to contend with and some of those attempting to learn were also beginners; they did really well to even attempt some of the dances. Needless to say next weeks programme isn't quite so challenging though hopefully it'll be just as interesting for those who like to ring the changes. See you then
Weeks pass so quickly, especially when they are so packed with activity that there's been hardly any time, or energy, to update the website - never mind to engage brain to compose a blether. Since my last epistle we've had surprise visits from friends and relations, we've created and hosted a treasure hunt and quiz, attended and filmed a play, fulfilled our usual roles at church as well as more unusual ones, hosted and attended birthday parties, dinner parties and BBQ's, worked hard to maintain our fitness with gym & yoga and made major inroads into our garden upgrade- and that's not all! However despite all that activity the high point of the weeks is still the dancing sessions on Monday and Tuesday. As fast as people have said goodbye and headed elsewhere for Summer, or we miss them as they take shorter breaks, we've welcomed people back who are on prolonged visits or who haven't been able to join us recently because of health issues or other commitments. Tuesdays are exciting since we never know who's going to walk in next and they all bring new fun and energy! Monday afternoon classes have exactly the same situation, we have no idea who or how many will make the class but everyone enjoys themselves so much even though they work hard and such impromptu classes are inevitably somewhat disjointed - I have to thank the more experienced dancers who join us too, since it makes teaching so much easier. We're still welcoming new dancers to the class. It's not to everyone's taste but recently everyone who has started has decided to keep going, amazing! It's getting hotter though and we have to be realistic about our need to recharge. We are still dancing throughout June but the brilliant June Jamboree on 29th will signal the end of the season until we restart in September. Tickets for the June Jamboree are now available for anyone who wants to join us - it's an evening that anyone, dancer or non-dancer can enjoy, click here for more information, and in the meantime don't forget to join us on Monday or Tuesday (apart from the fun you have at the classes you can buy your JJ tickets cheaper if you attend the lessons!)
Well, the winter wardrobe is being put away and the summer dance gear has been hurriedly shaken out and reinstated on the hangers. The last two weeks has seen so many other changes too; both good and bad. Sadly, several more of our regular dancers have been injured, ill or operated on...we miss them all and hope they get better soon. In the meantime however, it's been exciting to welcome even more new faces to the Monday class. Most of our new people have never danced before, but they seem to be enjoying the classes and making plans to join us regularly. Great! I've also been ringing the changes with the introduction of some lovely new dances to the Tuesday night programme- it's very easy, and very enjoyable to repeat the same, well loved, dances every week, but it's also very easy to lose the skills involved in learning - not to mention the skills of teaching. I usually keep a dance on the programme for 3 weeks before changing it for a new one -preferably a dance we haven't done recently though there's always a core of well known regulars. Over the last few weeks however, we've tackled several brand new dances (to our class) that I came across at Winter School; they've been well liked, so far, so this week we have a brand new reel to try, the Tri-Mariner. The number of videos of this dance shows how popular it is in the rest of the world so hopefully it'll be popular here too. I'm already looking forward to everyone trying it!
What a crazy, fun night! Tuesday evening's session started out with us realising that, although several of our most regular and experienced dancers were away, we were lucky enough to be simultaneously welcoming back several others, who we hadn't seen for ages. Although we had our lowest numbers for several weeks, and many of our dancers were seriously out of practice, it was a great atmosphere from the word go. The programme was danced right through- without a lot of style in some cases but with a great deal of laughter and mutual support. Well done to everyone who worked so hard, and I suspect several people, amazed themselves at what they could achieve. At the Monday class, the day before, we also had fewer people than the previous weeks (though the people who were missing will be returning). but it was still an excellent afternoon of dancing and we covered 3 of the dances featured on the next days' programme - which gave the people who came to both sessions a lot more confidence to get up and try their skills - and didn't they do well!
Once more we utilized the excellent facilities of the Phoenix Club and the generous services of the volunteers who run it - not only during the evening itself but also earlier in the afternoon to show us how to set the equipment up.
It is several years since we've organised a purely social evening based around the Edinburgh Tattoo. Nearly 30 attendees eventually assembled, dancers, their friends & additional Phoenix club members who had seen the event advertised. After our 'butties and chip' supper, and a last frantic run on the bar, the lights went out and we spent an awe inspiring hour on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle. The experience was enhanced by the size of the projection screen which is enormous, and excellent sound quality, giving us an almost immersive experience. Unfortunately I forgot to take pictures - but that in itself shows how engrossing the film was. Once we'd caught our breath, replenished our drinks and enjoyed a couple of trailers for the Club's upcoming Film Nights, we completed the evening with a 'jolly good sing-song'. Well done everyone who joined in to create such a fun end to the evening. We have to thank Tina for selecting the songs, preparing the lyrics and leading us all beautifully. She also treated us to a couple of solos, which was way more than we expected and truly made the evening special. Well the weather is super and so is the dancing. 14 people attended the beginners session last Monday - a really excellent number. We had fun with the Byron Strathspey - covering petronella turns, teapots, reels of 3 and then Allemande for 3 couples, in a hugely steep learning curve which everyone attacked with relish. We then started to introduce reels of 4 - to be continued next week - before finishing with a quick skip round Dunnet Head by way of release from all the cerebral hard work.
Tuesday was also well attended - although not everyone was able to dance - and even when they could it was obviously hard to break off from the socialising! It's great that the group is so friendly but getting a set together can be unexpected hard work :-) However, once up and running people really did well with their dancing - often surprising themselves at what they could achieve. I look forward as always to next week's dancing, but before that we have the Tattoo night to look forward to; it's going to be a good night, which should make up for any disappointment we may feel from not being on the telly ourselves due to the pull out of the 'Place in the Sun' team! |
MeOriginated in Manchester, England: Worked almost 20 yrs in the United Arab Emirates: Lives in Cyprus. Teaches Scottish Country Dancing (RSCDS qualified 2015) -just the average life! Also loves Photography & Photoshop, Gardening, Music, Sewing, Design, Reading, computers, God, my husband & my cat (not necessarily in that order). Hates - crowds, hypocrisy, 'Reality' TV, corrupt politicians, cruelty and greed of any kind. Archives
July 2024
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