Hi BHDA families! I hope everyone has enjoyed the beautiful weather this weekend J Read on for some important information as we wind up the 2015/16 dance year!

Lessons this week
Due to the Music Festival, lessons this week (April 21) will be held at the Dance Connection - 1622-96th St, with a modified schedule:
4 pm: Ashley's Premier class; Jamie's class (Lana, Kate, Caybre)
5-5:30 pm: Kyla and Janet's 5:45-6:15 classes
5:30 pm:  All other regular classes

Provincial Weekend – May 7 and 8
BHDA is excited to host this important competitive weekend, which includes Provincial Championships on Saturday and a regular competition on Sunday. (Registration is open until April 25: http://www.eventry.net/shda/2016-sask-closed-provincial-selection-championship-and-closed-competition)
For those of you who volunteered for this event, Jamie MacAngus will be emailing a list of assignments out shortly as a reminder.

Tartan Tea
The Tartan Tea, BHDA’s year-end recital, will be held on May 15 at 2 p.m., in Logie Hall, 3rd Ave United Church. Admission is a silver collection – invite your family and friends.
If you have any questions about costuming or what dances your dancer will be performing, please speak with your teacher at lessons right away.
Please arrive with dancers in full costume and hair done by 1:30. A BHDA group picture to be taken at 1:35 SHARP in the park beside the church.
If you’ve signed up to bring a trifle to this event, please deliver it to the kitchen with a serving spoon. (Label bowl and spoon, if desired. You’ll be able to pick up your items at the end of the Tea.)

Lesson Schedule
Final regular lessons for this year are on May 19. If you are interested in having your competitive dancer continue with lessons until the competition season is over, please email Tracey (mushie@sasktel.net) by May 12 – BHDA will arrange lessons based on interest.

Individual Dancer Pictures
Optional dancer photos will be taken on Sunday, May 29 by Warne Photography. Email battlefordshighland@gmail.com by May 15 so that a schedule can be created (please include whether you would like sibling/other small group photos, as well.)

• 3.5x5 solo photo - $9
• 5x7 solo photo - $10
• 8x10 solo photo - $20
• 5x7 group photo - $10

Other options include trader cards, magnets, phone cases, bag tags, and water bottles. Order envelopes will be distributed at dance lessons to those who are interested.

Lost and Found / Wanted

• A roaster pan from Robbie Burns is still in storage room at Church
• Wanted: Anyone have size 2.5/3 dance shoes for sale? Email Kerilee (kgtady@sasktel.net).

BHDA Executive Position
Nominations for Treasurer for a two-year term beginning October 2016 are open until May 12. Email nominations to battlefordshighland@gmail.com to be brought forward at the AGM in October.

Summer Events
Lessons may end in May, but we have a few more performance opportunities over the summer!

• Taste of Culture, June 9-11, 2016: We usually perform on the Saturday early afternoon. Details will be shared when confirmed.
• Parades: We will see if there is interest in marching in our community parades – Battleford in July, and North Battleford on August 15. Again, watch for an email later in May or June.

Upcoming Competitions
May 21-22, Saskatchewan Highland Gathering and Celtic Festival (Regina): www.saskhighland.ca. Register before May 8: http://www.eventry.net/sask-highland-gathering/2016-queen-city-open-championship-and-prairie-valley-premiership
May 28, Saskatoon Highland Dancing Association Open Competition and River City Premiership. Register by May 13: http://www.eventry.net/sask-highland-gathering/2016-queen-city-open-championship-and-prairie-valley-premiership
Scotdance Canada Championship Series, Winnipeg, MB: www.sdccs.ca Register here: https://secure.e-registernow.com/cgi-bin/mkpayment.cgi?state=2832
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Pre-register for the 2016/17 dance year
We will be asking families to pre-register for next year if your dancer(s) is at all interested in continuing with lessons (and we hope you are!), simply to help with lesson planning. (This would not be a firm commitment, and no fees will be paid at this time.) Please watch for more information in the coming weeks.

1. Last volunteer commitment: If you have not already signed up for your last volunteer commitment (either at the May 7/8 competitions or at the Tartan Tea), please see Jamie MacAngus at lessons on Thursday, March 24 to sign up. (She'll be at lessons from 4:30-7.) Tartan Tea jobs are filled, so the remaining opportunities for volunteering are at the Provincial Competition Days that BHDA is hosting on May 7/8. Job opportunities include: delivering sponsorship letters, marshalling, runner, canteen, scrutineering, announcing, set up (Friday May 6 at 8:30pm), registration, and clean-up.

Additionally, each family is required to do either baking for Provincials (for sale at the canteen) or make a trifle for the Tartan Tea. Please confirm which you'd like to do with Jamie tomorrow.

2. Tartan Tea: The Tartan Tea, BHDA's year-end recital, will take place on May 15. Mark the date on your calendar.

3. Upcoming Dance-outs: Two final dance-outs are being confirmed for the year - Caleb Manor in April and Taste of Culture on June 9-10. Watch for an email in the coming week with details and a call for participants.

4. Upcoming Competitions:
May 7 - 2016 Saskatchewan Closed Provincial Championship, North Battleford
​May 8 - Saskatchewan Highland Dancing Association Closed Competition, North Battleford
​Click here to register for May 7/8 Competitions: http://www.eventry.net/shda/2016-sask-closed-provincial-selection-championship-and-closed-competition Registration closing date: April 25
​May 21/22​ - Saskatchewan Highland Gathering and Celtic Festival, Regina, SK
May 28​ - River City Open Competition and Premiership, Saskatoon, SK
July 6-10​ - ScotDance Canada Championship Series, Winnipeg, MB - Click here to register: ​https://secure.e-registernow.com/cgi-bin/mkpayment.cgi?state=2832

5. No regular lessons next week, March 31. Happy Easter Break!

Silent Auction Chair: Kerilee Tady & Deanna & Ames Leslie
                        Helpers:  Dereck Wierzbicki & Marti Fransoo
Decorating Chairs:  Kristin Louko & Karen Prince
                        Helpers:  Kinga Dabrowska & Jana Clark
Clean Up Committee:  Maegan Toews, Rosie Smith & Roxanne Stynsky
Midnight Lunch Chair:  Glynis Oliver
                        Helpers:  Shari Gudlaugson & Jaime Maunula
50/50 Chair:  Vicki Orobko
                Helpers:  Kitty Morin, Brandy Pyle, Bonnie Sehn, Charlotte McHattie
Cooking Haggis:  Lori Weber, Jennifer Roy, Amanda Maunula, Jackie Pitman, Joyce Smith
Shortbread (Placing on trays & Putting out the night of Burns following supper):  Genevieve Weedmark & Marie Boser
Taking Tickets at the door:  Sherri Dzyelion & Tara Campbell
Bar Chair: Kurt Briant

Selling Drink Tickets:
5-545pm  Kitty Morin & Genevieve Weedmark
545-630  Bar Closed
630-730 Marie Boser & Kinga Dabrowska
730-830 Lori/Curtis Weber & Joyce Smith
830-930  Brandy Pyle & Marti Fransoo
930-1030  Adam Olson & Dereck Wierzbicki

Serving Drinks:
5-545  Bonnie Sehn & Charlotte McHattie
545-630  Bar Closed
630-730  Tara Campbell & Shari Gudlaugson
730-830  Paul Clark & Jennifer Roy
830-930  Maegan Toews & Jaime Maunula
930-1030  Sherri Dzeylion & Tyler Boskill
1030-1130  Curtis Smith & Roxanne Stynsky
1130-1230  Ed Helder
1230-130

Exciting news: Robbie Burns Ceilidh tickets go on sale this week! 

BHDA's Robbie Burns Ceilidh (pronounced kay-lee - Gaelic for social event) is our major fundraiser for the year. It is a full evening of food and entertainment - catered dinner, performances by all of our dancers, bagpipes, and a public dance and party to round out the night. Tickets make great Christmas presents :)

Burns Suppers are held on or around January 25 in Scotland and around the world as a celebratory tribute to the life, works and spirit of the great Scottish poet, Robert Burns (1759-1796). Learn more here: http://www.robertburns.org/suppers/ 

Our 2016 Burns Ceilidh will be held on January 23. Ticket prices are:
Adult - $25
6-12 years - $15
3-5 years - $10
2 and under - Free
Dancers - Free

Tickets will be sold to dance families on the following Thursdays during lesson times: October 29, November 19, and December 3.  Each family can initially purchase 7 tickets, in addition to your dancer tickets. Cash and cheque accepted. No post dated cheques accepted.  Cheques will be deposited by the following Tuesday of each sale date.

On December 4, unsold tickets will be available to the general public. 

Happy thanksgiving, dance families!

In this newsletter:

• Competition reminders
• BHDA annual general meeting
• Upcoming dance-outs (community performances)
• Upcoming competitions

Competition Reminders
By now, you should have your volunteer job for the competition on Saturday, October 17. If not, Jamie MacAngus will be in contact with you. We look forward to hosting a fantastic event, thanks to everyone's support! The dancing starts at 10 a.m. at John Paul II Collegiate.

Good luck to all dancers competing in North Battleford and at the Lloydminster competition on Sunday, October 18! 

BHDA Annual General Meeting
This year's AGM will be held on October 15 at 5:30 p.m. Please plan to attend this short but important meeting for our organization.

Upcoming Performances
We have three community performances, or dance-outs, scheduled between now and the end of the year. Each involves about a 1-hour time commitment, from when the dancers are asked to arrive to when the performance is over.

• Tuesday, November 10, River Heights Lodge, 7 p.m.
• Sunday, December 6, Notre Dame Church Multicultural Day, afternoon (time to be confirmed, as the organizers are just putting the program together)
• Saturday, December 12, Discovery Co-op, 2:30 p.m.

Please check your calendars and email battlefordshighland@gmail.com to confirm what dance-outs your dancers will be able to participate in before October 30. Please email even if you are not able to attend any of the performances.

A big thank you to Lana, Evan, Chloe, Emma, Natalie, Olivia, and Carmella for cheering on runners at The Operun last Sunday! The participants (and event organizers) appreciated your enthusiasm and support. 

Upcoming Competitions
Entries are now open for the Regina Open Competition and Workshop on November 7 and 8. Find more information here: http://www.eventry.net/rhda/2015-november-open-competition 

The Saskatoon competition and workshop is schedule for November 28/29 - you'll receive an email when entries for that event open.

Hello dance families! September is off to a wonderful start, with more than 50 dancers registered with our association this year.

In this edition of the newsletter:

• Lesson times and outstanding fees
• Coming prepared to lessons
• Upcoming events
• Teacher contact info
• Communication reminders

Lesson times and outstanding fees

You should have received an email from battlefordshighland@gmail.com with your dancer(s)'s lesson times and teacher name. If you did not, please email right away to let me know!

Term 1 fees are as follows:
30 minutes - $81
45 minutes - $119
60 minutes - $157
90 minutes - $233

Also, annual family memberships are $40 for non-competitive and $75 for competitive.

If you have not paid your fees online or by cheque/cash, you must bring payment (based on your lesson length) to lessons on September 10 in a sealed envelope marked with your dancer's name and give it to your teacher. (Please note if paying by cash, exact change is required. Teachers will not have a float to provide change.)

If you would like to pay online, please send me an email and I will send you a link.

Also, if you have not already handed it in, bring your $50 undated volunteer commitment cheque on September 10. (More information on this here: www.battlefordshighland.ca/registration.html)

Coming prepared to lessons

Please have your dancer ready to dance (dance clothes and shoes on, hair tied back, water bottle full) five minutes before your class start time.

Upcoming events

September 12 - Saskatoon Highland Games, Diefenbaker Park
Thanks to the dance families who have volunteered to perform at the Saskatoon Highland Games this coming Saturday. You should have received an email from Heather Wakelin with the program and details.

If you are interested in attending the games, check out the details here: www.saskcelticevents.com

October 3 and 4 - The Operun, Battleford
BHDA has been invited to help entertain participants in the 5k fundraising run for the Battleford Opera Run. This could someday be a venue for our group to perform and share our culture, so it's a great fit for us to help out!

On October 3, we are invited to take part in a program at the pasta supper being held for participants. Intermediate/Premier dancers are invited to do one or two dances - I do not have the details, but please let me know if you are free for a short performance that night.

On October 4, all dancers are invited to come cheer on run participants from 8:30-9:30 am. Wear kilts with a sweater (BHDA hoodies, for example) and running shoes - dancers can perform spontaneously as runners pass us by. Lynda Lyon-Walls will be playing her bagpipes with us.
Please email to confirm whether you are available to take part!

Other dance-out dates are posted on www.battlefordshighland.ca. Please make a note of the dates in your calendar and watch for details as they are confirmed.

Teacher Contact Info

Teachers can be contacted by email. Their addresses are listed here: www.battlefordshighland.ca/about.html

Communication reminders

A reminder that BHDA news will be shared by email and on our website (www.battlefordshighland.ca) throughout the year. We also have a Facebook page - like us here: www.facebook.com/BattlefordsHighlandDance

The Saskatoon Highland Games are being held in Diefenbaker Park in Saskatoon on Saturday September 12, 2015.

This year they are not having an actual highland dance competition but are having highland dance as a demonstration.  Heather Wakelin has been in touch with the organizers and they haven't had any clubs come forward to perform yet. There are 20 minute spots and they are hoping to have enough dancers to fill 1, possibly 2 spots.  The times would be 1:50-2:10 and 3-3:20pm.

We would like to know sooner than later if people are interested in attending this event.  If we don’t have enough interest we will pass this year and hopefully be able to do it next fall.  This is for all dancers, primary to premier.

Event to include Scottish Athletic Events, Piping & Drumming, Live Performances by Wenches & Rogues and Food & Beer Tent!! Sounds like a very fun day!

Adults $10.00
Children (17 & under) $5.00

If you are interested, please let Heather know no later than Friday August 21, 2015.  Email Heather Wakelin at hwakelin@outlook.com

1) Tartan Tea DRESS REHEARSAL: In order to put on the best possible show for your friends and families, the teachers have decided that lessons on Thursday, June 4 will be a mandatory full dress rehearsal for the Tartan Tea.

It will run from 5:30-7, with the younger dancers likely being able to go home earlier than that. 

If you require costuming, please speak with your teacher this week or else email battlefordshighland@gmail.com.

The Tartan Tea program will be circulated following lessons this week so you can see where your dancer is scheduled to dance.

2) Dance Pictures: Having the dress rehearsal on Thursday, June 4 will actually make pictures much easier to schedule - and your dancers will be dressed regardless! The large group picture will be taken at 5:30 sharp on Thursday, June 4. All dancers (and teachers) are asked to be part of that picture, so please be dressed and on time.

Small group pictures and individual dancer photos will follow. Kerilyn will work with Amanda take dancers to the photo area as required and then return them to the rehearsal area. However, parent help is always appreciated, particularly for the younger dancers.

Please continue to email battlefordshighland@gmail.com to confirm if you want individual dance photos for your dancer, so that we know how many to prepare for.

Good news for parents of more than one dancer! Amanda has offered a family price of $15/dancer for families who have more than one dancer having photos taken, which will include one sibling shot as well.

A reminder that all dancer families will receive an e-copy of the group photo courtesy of BHDA.

We will not be taking any group pictures on Sunday, June 7.

3) More Tartan Tea details:
- Dancers should arrive ready to dance by 1 p.m. on Sunday, June 7. The Tartan Tea will be in Logie Hall at Third Avenue United Church. No admission, and all are invited!
- Program starts at 1:30 p.m.

- For those of you who read the last email and wondered what the heck we were going to do with one trifle per family (that's a lot of trifle!), never fear - I had it wrong. Bringing trifle counts as a volunteer job - the only volunteer job that's left, actually - and we need 12 more. So, if you have not been assigned a different job, email Rebecca at rs.bell@sasktel.net to tell her you'll bring that delicious traditional Scottish dessert. (There's a peanut butter brownie trifle recipe in this list that someone really should make.)