BETWEEN TIPS
"BETWEEN TIPS" is the official bulletin of the
SQUARE & ROUND DANCE FEDERATION OF NOVA SCOTIA
Bob Ruohoniemi, Editor, 6939 Hwy 1 Ardoise, RR 1 Ellershouse, NS B0N 1L0
phone (902) 757-3884 email: bobruoho@ns.sympatico.ca www.squaredance.ns.ca
March 2008 -- NUMBER 143
(Back Issues) (Return to Home Index)
Editor's Comments: NEXT DEADLINE is 15 MARCH 2008
This BT has news from: the Federation Board, FESTIVAL 2010, several different clubs, and the International Dance Council (CID).NEWS FROM THE FEDERATION
NEWS FROM THE HALIFAX NATIONAL FESTIVAL 2010
NEWS FROM SUNRISE SQUARES
Sunrise Square had their Christmas dance Dec. 7/07 with a good turn out of dancers and guests from La Have River Ramblers. As usual the food was plentiful and everyone stayed for the feast after the dancing was done for the evening. Federation Presidents Valerie & Ralph Brown presented longevity awards to Neil & Kathy Dorey (below).
We had a nice surprise visit by some of Santa’s elves (below) who served some sweet treats to everyone.
The music was great and everyone had a fun time, with gifts from under the Christmas tree for everyone.
Our next special dance will be the Honolulu Hoedown Mar.28/08 at the MARC. in Dayspring from 8-10 p.m.,
Hawaiian food, dress,and music. Hope to see you there. Everyone welcome.
Written by: Valerie Brown, on behalf of Club Historian Hazel Hebb.
A Brief History of Neil Dorey in Square Dancing
How could any one be exposed so much to Square Dancing and not be influenced in the positive?
I started Square Dancing in 1980 after my 18th birthday. Jolly Roger’s in Milton was my starting place. I remember many nights with all the wonderful people there. My “partner” and I went through class there and graduated in 1981. Shortly after that my life went in the million or so directions as most young people of the day. However, my love of the dance would not diminish through out those years. I spent 9 months of my life with Katimavik where I was reminded on more than one occasion how much fun I had had dancing. I returned to dance with my Sister Patricia and we attended the Canadian National Convention in Halifax in 1982. Many other passing fancies came and went and yet I still returned to the dance.
In the late 80’s I began dating a girl I had met in Dartmouth while finishing my apprenticeship in Cooking. We almost immediately discovered that we had among other things Square Dancing in common. We soon married and began dancing more regularly with the Sunrise Squares. The Caller John Medicraft and I had occasion to talk as my wife Kathy and I were now club presidents. On one occasion I recall him asking me if I knew of anyone who might like to try Calling. I told him that I thought I might like to try it and the rest is history.
Having had very little training in calling I set out to attend what became one of four Caller’s Schools at the House of Roth in Clementsport. The Club members graciously gave me $250.00 to help cover the costs. I called for Sunrise Squares part time with John for several years until I felt I needed to strike out on my own. We then started a club which would become the Double Dory Dancers. The club moved from Chester to Gold River, to their current home in New Germany.
In February 2000 with the retirement of John Medicraft as Club Caller I was asked to finish the dancing season. That fall would see me taking the reigns of a “Caller run” club. I have also called at several MCCA conventions. I called at Nova Scotia Festival 1999, and for various clubs and occasions in the province.
A Brief History of Kathy Dorey in Square Dancing
In my early years, I remembered my parents, Stewart & Hazel Dickinson, getting dressed up for a square dance. That would have been in the middle 60’s while we were living in Saskatchewan. After moving to Nova Scotia in 68, my parents didn’t dance.
When I was about 16, I would with a group of youth who thought it would be fun to learn to dance – my dad had some square dance records that had a guy on the flip side doing the calls. Dad taught us the calls and we danced to the record. After I graduated high school in 77 and went off to University I was unable to dance due to a lack of a partner. After returning home in January 78, my friend Scott and I joined the Trenton Twirlers half way through their class but due to what we had learned from my dad we fit right in. We graduated that May with callers Herb Muir.
Again off to University and no partner. In ’81 I moved to Halifax where Scott was going to University and we started to dance again with the Bee Squares. Once Scott graduated from University and moved to Ontario I was once again with a partner.
In November of 88 I met and started to date Neil. I would come down from Dartmouth for the weekends and we danced with Sunrise Squares. We married in March of ’89 and that May we were elected Club Presidents for the next 2 years.The rest they say is history.
NEWS FROM WEST KINGS TWIRLERS
West Kings Twirlers celebrated Winter Wonderland as well as their 20th Anniversary on January 26 at Kingston Elementary School in Kingston. Twelve squares were in attendance & the cake topper was "Jim".
L to R Front row: Shirley Robinson, Bonnie Ells, Gertie & Bill Oldford, Thelma Brenson, Jane McGrath, Sharon Longley, Midge Gentiles, Linda Hird, Carol Crawford.
Back row: Barry Walker, Jim Robinson, Laurie Ells, Colette & Gord Way, Keith Brenson, John McGrath, David Longley, Lennie Gentiles, Murray Hird, Lloyd Crawford.
Missing were: Wayne & Joyce Whynott; Jim & Joan Rex, Lauri & Wilam Isles, and David & Bev Boates.
There is still a need to have NS dancers send in their registration forms so that plans for the Canadian National Convention 29 – 31 July, 2010 can accommodate their needs. See Festival 2010 web page
“PROMENADE TO HALIFAX IN 2010”
NEWS FROM DICE HILL SQUARES
For the first time ever, Dice Hill Squares had their banner stolen. The West Kings Twirlers can soon expect a visit! Below: Inge Ruohoniemi, Dice Hill Squares, Shirley & Jim Robinson lead the parade!
Dance Day preparations
On the 29th of April, as every year since 1982, Dance Day will be celebrated all over the world by the international community of dancers and dance enthusiasts. The International Dance Council CID has prepared the following guidelines as a useful checklist for persons institutionally involved in the wider field of dance: teachers, choreographers, group leaders, journalists, researchers, associations, suppliers, organizations etc.
Object: The main purpose of Dance Day events is to attract the attention of the wider public to the art of dance. Special emphasis should be given to addressing a “new” public, people who do not follow dance events during the course of the year.
Events: Dance Day events may be special performances, open-door courses, public rehearsals, lectures, exhibitions, articles in newspapers and magazines, dance evenings, radio and TV programs, visits, street shows etc.
Organizers: Events are primarily organized by dance companies, amateur groups, schools, associations and other institutions active in dance. Wherever possible, it is better for events to be organized jointly with a non-dance institution such as a government agency, a public school, a municipality, a business enterprise, a trade union.
Content: Organizers have full freedom to define the content of the event. Make sure that you include general information on the art of dance, its history, its importance to society, its universal character. This can be done in a short speech, a note in the program, a text distributed to those present. By adding this dimension you make the event different from dance activities taking place any other day. Read a message from a prominent personality, a poem, a passage from a text by a famous author.
Coordination: In order to achieve maximum success, it is important that preparations start early enough. It is imperative to inform the press and generally the media about your event. Notify an organization holding a central position at regional or national level, which should publish a list of events planned for Dance Day. Entrance to events should preferably be free, or by invitation. Invite persons who do not normally attend dance events.
Location: At best, events should take place in “new” places, such as streets, parks, squares, shops, factories, villages, discotheques, schools, stadiums etc. By setting the event in original surroundings you stress the fact that this is an event dedicated to the universal family of dancers.
Dr. Alkis Raftis, President of the CID
NEWS FROM THE VALLEY HEART DANCE
The annual Valley Square Dance for Heart was held on Saturday, 16 February at the Waterville Fire Hall. A good turn-out of over 11 squares from all the Valley clubs, enjoyed the calling and cueing of most of the Valley leaders. The highlight of the evening, as it has been for many years, was the entertainment provided by Mary's Islanders Dance Troupe. Loud applause was a regular feature after each age-group completed their segment. Of course, the two smallest dancers stole everyones heart! This dance was again organized by Harold Redden who did a masterful job.
In addition to the excellent dancing and the entertainment, there was a serious purpose to the event. The attendees stepped forward and donated $1451 for the NS Heart & Stroke Foundation. This sum included the 50/50 draw winnings which were added to the pot. These monies were passed to the Heart & Stroke Foundation representative, Ashlyn Sulis, by Bob Ruohoniemi (below). Ashlyn thanked the dancers for their continuing generosity and expressed the appreciation of the Foundation for this annual donation.
Contra Time Dancers join SRDFNS
For seventeen years David and Jane Schlosberg have organized and lead the New Times Old Tyme dances at St. Matthias Church Hall on the corner of Chebucto and Windsor Streets in Halifax. This was always a live music event usually featuring Gordon Stobbe and/or Joe Pratt on the fiddle, Skip Holmes on the guitar, banjo or mandolin and Kimberley Holmes on the keyboard. Thirty or more dancers have been gathering every third or fourth week during the dance season to enjoy a variety of dances from the folk dance and contra dance world. They learned New England Contras, Big Circles, English Country, Squares, Waltzes, Polkas, and various novelty dances.
During the fall of 2007, Dave and Jane decided to retire from the active organization and leadership and passed the helm over to Dottie and Gary Welch. Thus this group of musicians and dancers has officially become part of the Square and Round Dance world.
It moves into the future under the new name "Contra Time Dancers". Locally contras are rising in popularity with another active Halifax group called the Smokin' Contra Band also dancing once a month.
As the name "Contra Time Dancers" suggests, the dances feature primarily contras but they will continue to include the related circles, squares, old time waltzes and polkas. St. Matthias is a beautiful dance hall with a large stage, lots of space and a smooth wood floor. Instruction is provided every evening and dances are generally walked through at least once before they are danced.
All square and round dancers are welcome to attend any of the dances. Check the Calendar of Events and posters for details. Upcoming dates are March 1, April 5 and May 3, 2008, 8-11 pm. It's Contra Time!