They only have themselves to blame, but I might have raised the bar a bit higher than I should have this week. Taking into account how well everyone has been dancing over the last few weeks the programmes for both of this week's sessions were challenging for some. However some managed to surprise themselves at what they could achieve, and making an attempt is never a waste - even if the only thing you learn is that you need to go back to the drawing board for a while before you try it again! 
It was lovely to see some familiar faces back at the class and also to have so much interest shown in the Ball - we've finally heard that we will be able to hold it on Saturday 2nd November (well done Irene) - this will please those people who said they couldn't make a Friday - and I'm pleased too - those who know me well will realise why! 
This year we are celebrating a special anniversary at the Ball - it is the 30th year since the original St Andrew Society was founded - so many things have changed since then, but we are still dancing - the only group on the island to still be doing so - long may it last.  
On a completely different note - if you're free next Monday afternoon please join us for the 2-4pm class. We are hosting some of the P3A's Lithuanian visitors for a one off session. These ladies don't know anything about SCD so having a few more dancers in the class will definitely help. It should be lots of fun since we won't be tackling anything very technical, just doing lots of simple dances to give them an idea of what we do.
Time to get on with making ball tickets ... they'll be available next week. 

,Our second dancing week is now a memory and our next classes are almost upon us, in addition our behind the scene's organisers AKA Irene, Doug, Dave, Pete & moi, have been discussing all the events planned for the next few months, up to and including Burn's Night next year and ... gosh we are going to be busy. Firstly we hope to arrange a screening of this year's Edinburgh Tattoo. Those who attended the last one will know that watching it on the HUGE screen at the Phoenix Club is the next best thing to being there - without the expense of the trip and the possibility of getting rained on - not to mention easier access to the bar (and other facilities!). Once dates & details are finalized we'll have tickets available at the classes ASAP, as we hope to run it in October so we've not long to wait - if you haven't ever seen the 'Tattoo' then give it a go, it is quite a spectacle.
Other dates that are still under review are for the Ball and Burns Night- we are awaiting confirmation feedback from venues and will publish as soon as we know.
We have at least finalised our dancing end date, which will of course also be our Christmas Ceilidh, December 17th. 
In the meantime don't forget that P3A memberships are now due - and you can renew for €5 at the classes, P3A membership is mandatory if you want to keep attending our group but it truly is fabulous value at €5
Phoenix Club membership costs €42 to renew - it was due in June so make sure you haven't already paid! If you attend the Phoenix club regularly then membership is a big saving. If you aren't a member then we need €2 temp membership payment every week you attend - time to get the calculator out to see if joining is worth it for you! If this is confusing then there is more about memberships HERE which hopefully will help. I hope we'll see you this week either way however ;-)

Monday was good and Tuesday was excellent.
We weren't sure if we'd have low numbers for our first Social & Dance class of the Autumn season; we had heard from several regulars who couldn't make it for various reasons, but although at 6 pm we only just had enough people to make up a single set for the first dance, by the time the dance ended more than enough people had arrived to get two sets up for most of the rest of the programme - if people would have stopped chatting for long enough to do so! It was lovely to see everyone again -even if some won't be back again for a few weeks - the atmosphere was great and the dancing was very impressive for the first session after a break. Role on next week... when there'll be news of the Ball, watch this space.

And didn't they do well. 
As always I was a bit nervous prior to getting going and it was still a little warm for dancing, but we coped, and it was great to see people again and know we'd all survived such a scorching summer with our brain cells intact. We started slowly with just a Circassian Circle, followed by Waratah Weaver but everyone was obviously capable of more so we tackled Trinity Tensome, not the most challenging dance in our repertoire, but a steep learning curve for beginners, and especially for our brand new dancer - but people tackled it with aplomb. It was a super afternoon and a good omen for things to come.
​Now for Tuesday! Can't wait...

Less than a day to go before we are back dancing again. I am looking forward to seeing how many people join us for our Monday 'beginners & improvers' session tomorrow afternoon - I really have no idea how many people will be there - I know that some can't make it for the first few weeks but never mind, anyone can join in at any time and we adapt the sessions to suit.
Don't forget if you need to renew your P3A membership that it's only €5 and not €10 - the initial membership includes an additional €5 joining fee which you don't need to pay again unless you let your membership lapse.
We will have AC but don't forget to either bring something to drink or 80 cents for your water from the bar. On Tuesday we are lucky enough to have a full bar service but it's DIY tomorrow, see you soon