Tursachan

The Newsletter of the Callanish School of Celtic Arts

Dear Students and Parents,

Thank you for all your encouragement, help and support for our Second Annual Winter Fling. All of our dancers performed beautifully, winning numerous medals and trophies on Saturday. Congrats to all the dancers who participated on Sunday as everyone passed their medal tests! Larissa Kortis took her first test on her way to becoming a certified teacher and she earned a grade of “Honours”, the highest accolade possible! The entire weekend was a huge success and we even ended up $183 ahead! Next year’s events will be on Saturday, January 31st and Sunday, February 1st at Cape Cod Community College. Save the date!

Maggie Carchrie

Don’t Forget!

Dance students you MUST have on your leotard and tights at all times!

Fiddle students you MUST remember to bring your tape recorder to tape your lessons!

Beginning Chanter Lessons

On Friday, February 7, the first monthly chanter lesson with Donald Lindsay will be held from 5:15-6:15 PM at Maggie’s house in Sandwich. The cost of attending is $12. Please register with Maggie before the 7th.

Gaelic Lessons Slated

Thomas Leigh will begin a new Gaelic I class at the Sandwich Community School. The class will meet from 6:00-7:30 PM beginning on Monday, March 10th.

February is Chocolate Month

Our annual chocolate sale is in full swing. Each student will be given at least one case of Hilliard’s Chocolate to sell. There are 40 bars per box and they sell for $1 each. This sale brings in over $1,000 annually and is an easy fundraiser. Please return all money and/or chocolate to your instructor by the first class in March. Remember, $20 per box will go directly into your account for either costumes or our trip to Scotland.

Make-Up Dance Lessons

There will be a make-up lesson on Thursday, February 20th from 5-6 PM for the Intermediate Highland class and Alana at the YCC. This is for the day that I had the Norwalk Virus and had to cancel class. As for the two missed classes in Falmouth (one in October and one in January), they will be made up later in the spring on a Saturday or at the end of the Conservatory’s session on two Wednesdays in June.

Gaelic & Scots Singing Class

A new children’s singing class will start up on Thursday, February 27th from 4:30-5 PM just before the Intermediate Highland Class at the YCC. The cost is $5 per week and is payable by the month. Children will be required to purchase three song books for $15.

Swords

As many of you know, there is a growing shortage of school swords. With the increasing number of students there aren’t enough swords for everyone to check out. Therefore, I am asking that anyone who deems it financially possible to purchase a sword on their own. Swords may be bought through Highland X-Press for $75 plus shipping. They should be the swords with the medal blade and brass handle. Please see Maggie if you have any questions.

FUSTA Registration

It’s that time of year again for dancers to renew their FUSTA cards. Please fill out the information sheet and give it to Maggie with your check and 2002 card. For new dancers, you will also need two, school sized photos. This card enables you to compete anytime in 2003 at any of the highland games in the world. Most new dancers will be ready in the fall to try a competition but are encouraged to attend some festivals for fun before hand to see what it’s like. All forms are due to Maggie by Friday, February 14th.

DELCO Mid-Winter Highland Dance Workshop

The Callanish Highland Dancers will be traveling once again to Philadelphia, PA for the famous DELCO workshop from February 14-16, 2003. Well-known instructors from Scotland and Canada will be there teaching for the weekend. All Beginner to Premier dancers age 8 and older are encouraged to attend. Maggie and Joy Pell will be driving kids down and chaperoning the weekend. The cost for the workshop is $60 and the cost for the hotel and gas is approximately $70 per person. Children will have to bring money for food. The entourage will be leaving from Maggie’s house at 8 AM on Friday, February 14th and returning either on Monday, February 17th in the late afternoon. We will be attending an indoor Celtic music festival on Sunday evening following the workshop. The cost is $18 for children 10 + Please see Maggie for registration forms.

Scotland 2004

Can you believe that next year we will be off to Scotland? A $100 refundable deposit per person is due to Maggie by March 1st. Please make checks payable to Callanish School of Celtic Arts. A separate account has been opened up exclusively for our trip. Many of our reservations will require a down payment and that is why the early deposit is needed. Our next planning meeting will take place in the early spring. Exact trip dates will be decided along with a tentative itinerary.

Sewing Party Update

The sewing party was modestly attended on Sunday, February 2nd. Many doll kilts, teddy bears and scrunchies were started but are in need of finishing. We need to have all projects completed by Tartan Day in order to have our items ready for the festival season. Please see Maggie if you can help to sew.

Hats Off!

Congratulations to the following dancers who earned medals and trophies at our Callanish Winter Fling on January 25, 2003:

Upcoming Events

14-16 February DELCO Workshop, King of Prussia, PA
1 March 4C’s Multicultural Festival TBA
9 March Cape Regency Nursing Home, Centerville 2:30 PM Show (arrive 2 PM)
15 March Newport, RI St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Arrive 10:30 for an 11 AM start. More details TBA.
16 March Harbor Point Nursing Home, Centerville
2:30 PM Show (arrive 2 PM)
5 April National Tartan Day, HLSS Event at Wixon Middle School, S. Dennis
12 April Manchester, NH Indoor Highland Dance Competition
13 April Mayflower Place, Yarmouthport, MA
2:30 Show (Arrive 2 pm)
27 April St. Andrews Society of MA Spring Event – Quincy Historical Society, Quincy, MA
3 PM (arrive 2:30 pm)
3 May National Dance Week (Cape Cod Mall)
2:30 Show (Arrive 2 pm– tentative time)
4 May Hyannis Skilled Care Center (Formally Lewis Bay Nursing Home)
2:30 Show (Arrive 2 pm)
17 May RI Highland Games, Westerly, RI

Need more info on festivals? See the official Highland Games web site at: www.maclachlans.org/games.html