Tursachan

The Newsletter of the Callanish School of Celtic Arts

Dear Students and Parents,

Welcome back after a very exciting summer! The fall session will be kicked off with our annual Pool Party at the Haselton’s and end with our Winter Solstice Cèilidh. Stay tuned for upcoming gigs and fundraisers! Thomas and I will be away from the 16-27 of September on holiday in Spain. Colleen Anderson will be teaching for me during this time.

Mòran Taing,

Maggie Carchrie

Dance Class Rules

Now that we’re back on track with regular dance lessons, please keep in mind that the following rules apply for all dance classes:

Pool Party Planned

Our annual back to school pool party is slated for Sunday, September 28th from 2-4 PM. It will be held at the home of Emma, Lily and Lee Haselton, 195 Lothrop’s Lane, West Barnstable. Ms. Haselton has requested that this party be for students and family members who are age 8 and older and who know how to swim. Please bring some food or drink to share. The pool is heated and there is even a jacuzzi! If you need directions, please contact Lee at: 362-6102.

Fall Fundraiser

During the month of November, the School will be involved in a candle sale. Maggie will be bringing in various brochures to look at and samples to smell. The profit from such a sale could potentially bring in thousands of dollars if each family can sell approximately 20 candles. We are in a kilt crisis yet again. The number of dancers has gone from 20 to 40 in the past year and there aren’t enough outfits for newer students or anyone who has outgrown their kilt. Families who don’t participate in fundraisers will be expected to purchase their own kilt if they want one to fit perfectly for competition.

Spring Fundraiser

Taylor Mindrebo’s family has graciously donated the use of their restaurant, the Bookstore and Restaurant, for our spring fundraiser. We will be hosting a Corned Beef and Cabbage dinner on March 13th. Families will be asked to sell tickets to the event and students will perform. Stay tuned for more information.

Gaelic Lessons to Begin

Gaelic Lessons with Thomas Leigh will begin again at the Sandwich Community School on Monday, September 8th. The beginner class will meet from 6-7:30 PM. Please register through the SCS.

A Sad Good-Bye . . .

The Callanish School lost a very promising dancer last month, Meghan Johnson. She and her family will be moving to Northern California later this month where her father will be starting a new job. If any dancers have photos of Meghan and/or the dance troupe, please bring them into class. We will be making a memory book and mailing it to her new house. Maggie has hopes that somehow the School could fly Meghan and her Mom back east for our Winter Fling the end of January. If anyone has frequent flier miles that they would like to donate, please let Maggie know.

Ghillie Order

Maggie will be placing a Ghillie order during September for all new dancers needing slippers and returning dancers who wear this style. The shoes are from James Senior in Scotland and will cost approximately $40. This is about $10 cheaper than ordering them through Tartan Town or Highland X-Press. Maggie will be sizing dancers the first two weeks and placing the order on September 16th before leaving on holiday to Spain.

Save the Date!

Medal testing for all Callanish Dancers will be held on Friday, January 30th at the WBCB. This is the day before our competition. All dancers, regardless of their level or if they compete, will be involved in medal testing. This is a non-competitive evaluative event which enables the dancers to receive a written critique of their dancing along with a beautiful certificate and medal.

Hats Off!

Congratulations to the following dancers who earned medals and trophies at recent competitions:

Congrats!

Congratulations to the following students on their recent accomplishments in the Celtic Arts:

Upcoming Events

5 September FALL CLASSES BEGIN
19-21 September NH Highland Games, Hopkinton Fair Grounds (no longer at Loon Mountain)
28 September Callanish Pool Party 2-4 PM
4 October Goshen, CT Highland Games 9-5
6 October FALL FIDDLE LESSONS BEGIN
12 October Scotland, CT Highland Games 9-5
20 December Winter Solstice Cèilidh 5:30 PM
30 January-1 February Callanish Winter Fling, Cape Cod Community College
13 March Corned Beef & Cabbage Dinner (Fundraiser) Bookstore and Restaurant, Wellfleet, MA
20 March Celtic Thunder Concert (Rù-Rà & Lissa), Carleton Hall, Dennis, 7 PM
27 April Orleans Woman’s Club, 1:30 PM

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