We are very lucky to be joined so often by old friends back to visit us, and also by holidaying visitors - such as the lovely lady who joined us last Tuesday. Like most experienced dancers she was more than willing to help others around the set, and it showed how 'classic' our current programme is that she was familiar with every single one of the dances set for the night. It was just as well that our visitors were all such keen dancers - without them we may have struggled to fill every set - for all sorts of reasons numbers were down this week, but even so it was a fun evening and culminated with getting one of our 'bar ladies' to join the final dance - and she did it straight off - not just a pretty face, fairly fancy feet too! 3 more weeks before the ball - so I hope to see you all next week, there's definitely more work to be done to crack some of our trickier dances - but we've got time - so don't panic just come to the classes, and don't forget the Monday classes are also covering the Ball dances so they are a great place to get a bit more practice. See you next week. Jx
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It seems impossible that between 2 Tuesday classes I managed to feel seriously ill, get admitted to hospital, endure a weekend of treatment and then be discharged in time for the next class - unfortunately not quite in time for Monday class, but definitely on my feet by Tuesday. That was a week ago, and I confess I was rather tired, even if I was pain-free, so writing this blether was a bit more than I could do last week, however I'm gradually regaining my energy and our dance sessions this week have been so much fun they must be recorded. We had an excellent Monday beginners session - no less than Wind on Loch Fyne, Duke of Perth and Mairi's Wedding were covered - pretty good going for 'beginner's'. Tuesday we had one of the best turn outs of the year, and was also an excellent session, not least because David - managing to stagger through another year - was kind enough to bring us all cake to help us celebrate (well it was Janet really, but in honour of David). Despite stopping for an excellent cake break (and thanks for the thoughtful GF cookies too) we managed to dance every dance on the programme for the first time this year. Less and less coaching is being needed and in general people are becoming more confident. Don't forget that Ball tickets are now on sale - see Future Events for more- and if you want to dance at the ball you need to come along and practice beforehand; I will call the dances at the ball if absolutely necessary but it's better for the overall atmosphere if I don't have to ... not to mention you enjoy yourself more if you know what you are doing. I look forward to seeing you all next week.
The temperature is still a bit on the warmish side for most of us but it didn't stop us enjoying a super night's dancing and the excellent company. We welcomed friends who are back with us for just a couple of weeks before they fly on to even more exotic climes, and it lifted us all so that we got through virtually every dance on the programme with time left over. It was good to have our bar team back to full strength too, and we definitely need to provide them with some score cards!
We've now only 6 weeks to go until the ball so it was reassuring to manage some of our more challenging dances so well - and that includes those who were not in any way perfect, but managed to keep going through momentary confusions, drop to the bottom and then support the rest of the set during their time at the top - real team work! Next week the Tuesday class programme changes more than it would usually to cover much of the rest of our potential ball dance programme. On the night of the Ball we rarely complete the all the dances we have practiced in class - we run out of time - but having a good selection to choose from means we can maximize the fun of the evening for everyone so from now on I'll be ringing the changes a little more frequently - and don't forget the dances are being covered, one by one, with a lot more thoroughness on Mondays at the 'beginners and improvers' sessions. Yet again we have to thank the tireless Jean for supporting our group above & beyond her duty calling. Thanks to her stepping in at the last minute the bar was open and our night of tripping the light fantastic was enhanced by beverages. Alcohol is not necessary for a great night of dancing, in fact it is often contraindicated but on warm evenings fluids of any sort are definitely required. Although officially autumn nobody has told the Cyprus weather and we are still being blessed by 'comfortable' temperatures - fabulous for almost everything else but energetic dancing.
However who are we to complain when we have fans and an overworked AC available (and if we move fast enough we can create our own breeze!). We welcome back a dancer who has been unable to join us recently due to surgery - she was intending to take it easy but still managed plenty of dances, so despite some challenges- several absences due to unfortunate events beyond anyone's control, and teacher having a headache and being less than her best self, we still had enough dancers in the session for 'a set & some over' and yet again the evening passed super quickly and everyone left with a smile and, hopefully the intention to return next week! I've been told that no-one would suspect how nervous I get before the dance classes. That's good of course - but doesn't stop me being nervous! Once everything is off and running I'm fine however. Tonight was an excellent example - I even resorted to Rescue Remedy beforehand, but once everyone was there it was brilliant. We had a respectable turn out for a first session and as a opening season treat (not to mention an incentive for people to come, and to renew their P3A memberships) the group sponsored a 'baps & chips meal' as well as a free drink per person. The baps were excellent - well done, and thanks, to Jean who did a sterling job in the kitchens as well as Marie who bobbed out from the bar to help - and the atmosphere both on and off the dance floor was relaxed and cheerful. We tried out a new room layout which should make the non-dancers much more comfortable, but still give dancers a respectable dancing area. It took several goes to work out the optimal direction for the 'top' of the room - but it worked well in the end. I look forward to seeing everyone again next week, at either the Monday or the Tuesday class and we should also have some returnees to swell the ranks which will be great.
If you are on our mailing list you should have seen all I've written below via an email, but just in case I've missed you, or perhaps you haven't joined us yet, you can find my message below :-
Hi Everyone, Summer has flown by, and it's time to restart dancing! Classes restart next week at 6pm, Tuesday 12th September at the Phoenix Club. Wahaay! We are making it a special evening - both Monday and Tuesday dancers / potential dancers are welcome. Register when you arrive to get a drink token. Use it at the bar for a soft drink, beer or a glass of wine. For this first night the kitchen will be open as well as the bar. I hope as many people as possible can come along - if you are considering joining / re-joining the Monday beginners' sessions, (we are restarting 2 pm, Monday, Sept 18th) you are also very welcome to join us this Tuesday. No-one will be dragged up to dance who doesn't wish to, but the programme includes all levels of dances and even if you don't feel ready to try, you can check what you are letting yourself in for! Singles are welcome, we are a friendly bunch. There will be a few minor changes from last season :- Layout - please enter through the 'Main' door - i.e. facing the bar. Charges (for both Tuesdays and Mondays)- This is to cover new performance rights fees.
Memberships - Phoenix Club memberships have been due since June - see the bar ladies for help in joining / re-joining - Phoenix club membership is not mandatory but will save you the weekly additional €2 temp membership fee if you come regularly. P3A memberships - now due - if you haven't re-joined / joined forms will be available at the door - or download them from the P3A site HERE. P3A membership (and subsequent membership of the St Andrew Group) gives you discounts at St Andrew Group events plus P3A membership is a requirement if attending classes regularly. St Andrew Group Ball - Change of date and venue. Now being held at the Kamares Club on Saturday 11th November. Tickets will be available from 12th Sept:- P3A / St Andrew Group members - €20 Non-members/guests - €25 (tickets only via Irene / class attendees) I hope you can make it next week, but if not I look forward to seeing you whenever you can join us. All the best Janine (You'll find more information throughout the website, please take time to browse) If, like us, you are sticking it out here throughout the summer you will know what the phrase 'brain fog' is all about. There can be many causes, but extreme heat is definitely one of them - hence I am typing this at around 2.00 a.m. in the morning, because truly, I'm unable to think as straight at any other time of the day.
Despite the heat, and the break in the dance classes, our Group organisers are still active - especially Irene who is truly tireless in trying to get the best for us. So despite having such a successful 'June Jamboree' at the Elea Resort, due to cost and other concerns we have had to abandon our plans to hold the St Andrew Group Ball there. Instead we are returning to The Kamares Club in Tala. The road works that plagued the area in the past have now been completed and we have high hopes of another lovely night there (without bankrupting us all). Because of this change the date has unfortunately had to change and it is now a week earlier on November 11th 2023, but this has the advantage that many of our dancers who normally miss the event due to heading home early for Christmas should still be on the island. (fingers crossed!). And this year I sincerely hope I am too! Keep cool - not long until we start our classes again - don't forget the Tuesday 12th September class is open to everyone and I look forward to seeing you there. (Don't forget that memberships/renewals for the P3A are also due now - though you can pay at the classes in September if you wish) Summer's here. It's warm, humid and makes you lazy. And it's lovely.
Our last two classes of the season are now over. They were both of them friendly, fun, and involving cake. Truly excellent carrot cake. To be honest I intended it for the beginner's only, because on Tuesdays we have the bar to keep us going, but the cake was so delicious I didn't need much persuading to buy another for our Tuesday attendees. We did dance as well of course. At our Monday session there were again only 6 of us. I had been requested to cover Mairi's Wedding and in less than 1/2 the session everyone was dancing it with confidence and a clear idea of position and timing. Well done us :-) Byron Strathspey provided a chance to catch our breath and revise more formations and then we finished with Duke of Perth - which provided a great example of how a formation/skills learnt for one dance can then be used in a completely different one. Tuesday's programme included all the dances we'd learnt on Monday, and the opportunity to practice was take advantage of with great success. Despite the inevitable delay for eating cake & washing up (and also a rendition of Happy Birthday to an almost older dancer i.e. her birthday was actually the next day) we managed all but one of the dances on the programme and left on a high. Other news:- We've had excellent feedback from many attendees of the June Jamboree. Prior to the event I had been vaguely wondering if we'd want to repeat it next year or not - but there seems no doubt that it's worth doing - a truly special evening. Negotiations are ongoing regarding the Ball costings - as always we want to get the best value without compromising on the quality of the event - harder to achieve in the present climate but we are getting there. And finally - our application to become an Affiliate of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society (RSCDS) has been approved and we are now mentioned in their list of overseas dance classes. On the day we were added our websites' traffic increased approx. x8 times! Inevitable that this should be just as we take our summer break, however hopefully it will make a difference once we are back in September too. Can't wait! Enjoy summer, and I'll see you in September if not before The June Jamboree is over, but what a lovely night. We were blessed with the most marvellous weather for a dancing evening - warm with a cooling breeze when needed. A slight change in location, still on the patio but in a more restricted area - while initially worrying - turned out to be advantageous. The area was the perfect size for the number of guests, the food was laid out attractively close by and the dancing area was equally close and just large enough for the numbers wanting to dance.
Thanks has to be given to the amazing helpers who worked so hard decorating the area in the morning - the lights, bunting and flowers all combined to enhance the lovely atmosphere created by the location and friendly Elea staff. The food was promptly served and more than satisfactory in amount and variety, as well as attentive waiting staff for those more thirsty than hungry. Finally, well done to all the dancers, a selection of suggestions was published on the programme fans and we danced - A Highland Welcome, Waratah Weaver, Gay Gordons, St Bernard's Waltz, Dashing White Sergeant, Circassian (big) Circle, and Cumberland Reel - in addition we danced several requests; De'il Amang the Tailors, Butterscotch & Honey and The Dream Catcher. The evening ended with a traditional rendition of Auld Lang Syne and all the final folk helping to take down the decorations - including intrepid, and successful attempts to retrieve all the bunting - which made us even more impressed with the guys who put it up. A fabulous night all round and a fitting end to our spring dance season (but don't forget there are still classes this week - I hope to see you there) Photographs of the evening can be found HERE or via 'Past Events'. I am really not complaining, definitely not, not a bit, but ... how come it's always when we've finally decided to stop for the summer, because numbers are down and things are getting 'tired', that we end up having such a fabulous night? Tuesday was great. We welcomed old friends who had made the trip to the class - mainly to get their tickets for Friday's June Jamboree - but who stayed and danced most of the night - and did very well too. We had a great chatty group of 'non-dancers', who are always welcome, contributing to the friendly atmosphere and cheering the dancers on! Marie, behind the bar, was kept busier than she has been for weeks but seemed to thoroughly enjoy herself, as usual, as we charged through our programme with varying degrees of success and hilarity.
This Friday it's our June Jamboree - we've had an excellent take up for tickets - and despite some completely unexpected, and unavoidable (by us) hiccups at the venue it looks like it's going to be a fabulous night yet again - well, I would say that wouldn't I- but the level of enthusiasm is palpable, the forecast is good and even with the slight changes we've had to accept it's still a fabulous venue. And next week we have our final Monday and Tuesday classes of the season - hopefully I'll see you at one of these 3 events and if not, put Tuesday 12th September in your diaries as the restart of our dancing sessions and I'll look forward to seeing you then. |
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
April 2024
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