The music festival is being held at Third Avenue United Church for the next two weeks, so that affects our lessons. 

For tomorrow, March 19:

• Ashley's 6:45 class is being moved to 4:30 (and will be taught by Janet) in the church basement
• Shannon's 5:45 and 6:45 classes will be combined starting at 5:15 and will run an extra 15 minutes to allow for the bigger class, ending at 6:30, in the church gymnasium.
• All dancers/families must leave the church by 6:45, as music festival participants will be streaming in :)

We apologize for the very short notice, but had been trying to arrange an alternate location for lessons.

For March 26, lessons will be moved to a different location, still being determined. Please watch for an email with an update as soon as we have the details confirmed.

Other news!

• Dancers are needed for the March 24 dance-out at Valleyview Towers! All dancers at all levels are welcome. Please email Melissa asap at m.fuhr@loccsd.ca to let her know if you are able to attend.
• The monthly BHDA meeting will be held tomorrow, March 19, at 5:30.  Please join us for information and updates about our workshop.
• The March 28 workshop is going to be fantastic! The schedule will be emailed later this week. There's still time to register - email battlefordshighland@gmail.com. Lunch will be catered by Subway for $5/person and must be pre-ordered. Order forms will be available at the meeting tomorrow night.
• Registrations for upcoming competitions (including SDCCS 2015!) and the Saskatoon HDA Spring Tune-up Workshop are posted on our website - www.battlefordshighland.ca.

Hello dance families! As you've heard, BHDA is organizing a workshop for its dancers on Saturday, March 28 at the 3rd Avenue United Church, starting around 10 a.m. This is will be a fun day for all dancers, regardless of age or level.

We are working on the schedule, but what we know is that primary/beginner dancers will have up to an hour lesson with Kelly Abrahart, a judge and teacher from Sherwood Park, AB. We will also have at least one fun session of yoga or gymnastics - something to help the kids discover more about how their bodies work. All sessions and lunch will total about 3 hours of the day.

Novice, Intermediate and Premier dancers will have two sessions in the day with Kelly Abrahart, as well as one or two fun sessions (kickboxing, anyone?) All sessions and lunch will total about 5 hours of the day.

We are also working on information sessions for parents to take part in - more information to come.

The sessions will all be free for BHDA dancers. Lunch will be brought in for $5/person. Dancers 7 and under must be supervised by an adult during lunch.

Please reply to this email by Wednesday, March 11 to confirm whether your dancer(s) will be attending. This will allow us to tailor the day to meet everyone's needs.

March dance-out
Mark March 24 on your calendar - all dancers are invited to perform at Valleyview Towers 1 at 7 p.m. Dance-outs are an awesome opportunity to provide our community with entertainment, and for our dancers to gain valuable performance experience. All families should try to bring their dancer(s) to at least one or two dance-outs a year.

Please email Melissa at m.fuhr@loccsd.ca by March 17 to let her know if your dancer is able to attend.

Tisdale and Quill Lake Competitions
The Quill Lake Highland Dance Association and Tisdale Highland Dance Club have partnered to offer back-to-back competitions on April 18 and 19, 2015. Please refer to the online information page for all important info regarding accommodations, volunteering, venues, times, closing dates, etc., and to register: http://www.eventry.net/tisdale-quill-lake/april2015 

Local Workshop
Last but certainly not least, our local workshop is coming together! Kelly Abrahart from Sherwood Park will be our guest instructor for this free workshop on Saturday, March 28. The day's schedule will be shared in the next couple weeks, but plan to have your dancer(s) spend the majority of the day with us. We'll have other fun activities and learning opportunities as well - maybe even a session or two for moms and dads.

Kelly Abrahart is a Fellow of the SDTA, a Member of BATD, and a member of the SOBHD judge’s panel since 1996. She is also the AB provincial representative of the ScotDance Canada Judges Committee.

As a dancer, Kelly competed since the age of four, winning several major competitions and championships, including the Alberta Provincials 4 times, and finished 1st runner up at the Canadian Championship in 1980 and 1981.

Kelly has been co-owner, with Bill Troock and Jacques Bourgouin, of the Strathcona School of Dancing since 1995. Over the years, their students have won many championship titles in Canada, the U.S. and Scotland, including the Provincial, Canadian and British Overseas championship, as well as several top 6 finishes at the World Championships. They also enjoy doing choreography and have had several performing opportunities including shows with Natalie McMaster, the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra and local band, Celtic Fusion Illusion.

Provincial Day Sponsorship Opportunity
Are you or your business interested in supporting our provincial highland dance community? One great way is to become a sponsor at the annual Provincial Day championships, this year being held in Saskatoon the first weekend in May. See the attached letter for more information. 

Dancewear for Sale 

• Lime green McKellar Tartan Town size 6 kiltie, vest, and socks.  Homemade blouse included. $300
  
• Size 6-8 white dress with underskirt and plaid. Pin not included. $50
  
• Email Vikki if interested in either outfit.

Welcome, February! In this newsletter:

• A message from our BHDA president
• Feedback on Burns Night
• Taking care of our venue
• Second Term Fees
• Competitions
• Dates to remember

A note from our president

I would like to take this time thank all parents for their contributions in helping to make our Burns Night Celebration a complete success!! A special thanks goes to our Burns Co Chairs Heather Wakelin and Debbie Slabaida for a well planned and organized event. Finally thank you to our MC's Kerilyn Voigt and Sheldon Gattinger. It was great to see everyone enjoying themselves and having fun especially our dancers!

Thanks again,
Tracey Sheppard
BHDA President

Feedback on Burns Night
Now that Burns Night is over, the planning starts for next year :) Please send any comments, suggestions, concerns or kudos regarding the event to Heather at  h.caslor@sasktel.net so that we can make next year even better. Also, please let Heather know if you have any thoughts regarding whether we should continue to co-host the event with the Masons or host it independently.

Taking care of our venue
One of the reasons we are are able to keep our lesson fees at a reasonable rate is the fact that we continue to hold lessons at Third Avenue United Church for a relatively low rental fee. We need everyone's help to ensure we are good tenants! 

• We are now able to leave the front doors unlocked during lesson times. However, please do not prop the doors open.
• Please help keep the bathrooms neat and tidy. Paper products must not be left on the floor, and toilets need to be flushed. (Please help your younger dancers with this - an old plumbing system means the toilets are a bit more finicky than what your child may be used to!)
• Finally, please do not disturb any chairs that are set out in the halls. If you do sit on one, just set it back in its original place.

Second Term Fees
Second term fees will not be deposited until February 4 at the earliest. (Sorry for the delayed communication about this.) If you have not given Loralee a post-dated cheque, she will be in touch in the coming week. 

Competitions
Good luck to our dancers competing in Saskatoon on Saturday, February 7.

Regina Highland Dancing Association's next competition is on March 7, with a workshop with the judge held on March 8. Click here for more information. 

Dates to Remember
February 19 - No Lessons (School Break)
February 26 - BHDA Member Meeting, 5:30 pm, Church Basement

Hello dance families! 2015 is starting off with a bang - there is so much coming up. Read on for important updates and reminders:

• Robbie Burns Night
• Workshops
• Competitions
• ScotDance Saskatchewan Card Renewals
• Teacher contact information
• Facebook Updates
• Important Dates

Robbie Burns Night
Robbie Burns Night is just three weeks away on January 24! This is our major fundraiser for the year, a great chance to learn more about Scottish culture and celebrate Scotland's national poet, and most importantly, an opportunity for you, your family, and your guests to have fun at a ceilidh (prounounced kay-lee, the Gaelic word for party)!

If you haven't bought your tickets and signed up for your volunteer shift, you can do so this coming Thursday, January 8 from 5-7 at 3rd Avenue United Church. Heather and Debbie will have a table set up upstairs. Ticket prices are:
- Adults:  $35
- Dancers:  $15
- Kids 6-12:  $20 (please note corrected age range)
- Kids 3-5: $5
- 2 and under: Free (still require a ticket for capacity purposes)

This year, each dance family is limited to purchasing 4 tickets, plus their dancer(s). If you require additional tickets, we will put your name on a list and once everyone has purchased their initial round of tickets, we will pull names for an additional 2 tickets with a random draw and sell any available tickets.

Seating will be rush seating this year, same as it was last year. Doors will not be open prior to 5 pm.

A reminder that this is a volunteer requirement - if you are not able to volunteer in some capacity, one of your $50 volunteer cheques will be cashed. If you have any questions about volunteering, please speak with Heather or Debbie on January 8 or else reply to this email. Also, each family is required to bring one dozen shortbread and one silent auction item to the Dillabough centre the morning of January 24.

More information about the schedule for January 24 will be circulated closer to the date, but a rehearsal (not dress) will be held that morning, usually from 10 a.m.-noon. During rehearsal, parents are asked to stay and help decorate the hall.

Want to learn more about Robert Burns and the suppers held worldwide in his honour? Visit www.scotland.org/whats-on/burns-night/ 

Robbie Burns Dress Rehearsal
All dancers are required to attend the Robbie Burns Dress Rehearsal on Wednesday, January 21 at Caleb Village (1802 106th St) at 6:30 pm. Please arrive and be ready to dance by 6:20.

If you have any questions about your dancer's performance attire, please speak with your teacher this week.

Workshops
Cross Borders Highland Dance Association (based in Lloydminster) is hosting a workshop with Alberta-based teacher, adjudicator, and choreographer Bill Troock the weekend of January 10 and 11. 

While this is short notice, it's a great opportunity for your dancer to shake off the Christmas break and get 2015 off to a flinging start. :) 

BHDA will pay the cost of your registration for this workshop! Once you have registered and pay, submit your registration expense to Loralee Gattinger (email) using the Expense Claim Form. 

Please email Shannon Rowan at srowan@live.ca as soon as possible if you are interested in having your dancer attend so that they can gauge interest and put together a schedule. Include your status (non-competitive or if competitive, what level). 

BHDA will also be hosting a workshop in late March/early April - watch for more details.

Workshops are an awesome opportunity to learn about highland dancing from a different, very experienced teacher and meet dancers from our neighbouring associations. Our local teachers strongly encourage dancers to take part.

Competitions
There are two competition opportunities in February: 
February 7 - Saskatoon (with a workshop on February 8)
February 21-22 - Winnipeg
Check out the 'Coming Up' section of our website for registration forms and more information.

ScotDance Cards
All competitive dancers are reminded to renew their ScotDance Saskatchewan cards: http://scotdancesask.com/download-forms/ Ask your teacher if you have any questions.

Teacher Contact Information
Email addresses for each of our teachers has been added to the website: www.battlefordshighland.ca/about.html 

Facebook
Did you know BHDA is on Facebook? Like us at www.facebook.com/BattlefordsHighlandDance. 

Important Dates
You can always find an updated list of important dates and links to more information on our website: www.battlefordshighland.ca

January 8 - Lessons resume
January 8 - Burns ticket purchase and volunteer sign-up
January 9-11 - RHDA Workshop with Joy Tolev
January 10-11 - CBHDA Workshop with Bill Troock (tentative)
January 21 - Burns Dress Rehearsal - Caleb Village - 6:30 p.m.
January 24 -  Robbie Burns Ceilidh, Alex Dillabough Centre, Battleford
February 7 - Saskatoon HDA Closed Competition (open to SK dancers only) 
February 8 - Saskatoon HDA Workshop 
February 21 and 22 - Winnipeg Scottish Festival and Manitoba Open Championships

Okay - to sign off this month, I leave you with this: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Im63ZHKMqFQ (This is my test to see how many read through to the end of the newsletter - I'll be watching to see who sings along on January 24! lol)

Update! BHDA will pay the cost of your registration for this workshop! Once you have registered and pay, submit your registration expense to Loralee Gattinger (email) using the Expense Claim Form. 

***
Cross Borders Highland Dance Association (based in Lloydminster) is considering hosting a workshop with Alberta-based teacher, adjudicator, and choreographer Bill Troock for the weekend on January 10 and 11. 

While this is short notice, it's a great opportunity for your dancer to shake off the Christmas break and get 2015 off to a flinging start. :) 

Non-CBHDA members will pay just $10/session - all levels of competitive and non-competitive dancers are welcome.

Please email Shannon Rowan if you are interested in having your dancer attend so that they can gauge interest and put together a schedule. Include your status (non-competitive or if competitive, what level).

Happy new year!

Merry Christmas, BHDA families! A few quick reminders this month:

Robbie Burns tickets and volunteer sign-up

You have two opportunities to buy your Robbie Burns tickets and sign up for your preferred volunteer shift:

• Thursday, December 11 from 5-7 p.m. at Third Avenue United Church
• Thursday, January 8 from 5-7 p.m. at Third Avenue United Church

If you need more than four tickets, your name will be placed in a draw for the opportunity to purchase additional tickets.

Costumes
Aboyne for sale: Vest is a size 34, but adjustable. Vest, blouse, skirt, slip, and plaid for $250 or best offer. Contact Debbie McCarthy: text 306-481-5847; phone 306-892-4747; or email plentyview@littleloon.ca. 

If you are looking for a costume for your child, please speak with your teacher as soon as possible or email battlefordshighland@gmail.com. 

Next dance-out

Our next dance-out will be a Robbie Burns dress rehearsal, held the week before the ceilidh (likely January 20 or 21). Details to be confirmed, but please note attendance will be required.

Congratulations!

All of our dancers passed their medal testing - congratulations! We also saw some great results at the Saskatoon competition. Well done, dancers. Your hard work shows.

Workshop Opportunity

Regina is hosting a great weekend workshop in January with Joy Tolev. Ms. Tolev has taught many champion dancers, including 10-time world champion Colleen Rintamaki (see a video of Colleen performing here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NemZMwKHOHQ). Check out the 'Coming Up' section of our website to download the registration form and get more information. Registration deadline is December 19.

Important Dates

December 11 - Burns ticket purchase and volunteer sign-up
December 18 - Last lesson before Christmas break
January 8 - Lessons resume
January 8 - Burns ticket purchase and volunteer sign-up
January 9-11 - RHDA Workshop with Joy Tolev
January 24 -  Robbie Burns Ceilidh, Alex Dillabough Centre, Battleford

Important dates:

Event: Saturday, January 24, 2015

• Rehearsal from approximately 10 a.m.-noon – to be confirmed closer to event
• Doors open for event at 5 p.m.

Ticket selling and volunteer shift sign-up:

• Thursday, December 11 from 5-7 p.m. at Third Avenue United Church
• Thursday, January 8 from 5-7 p.m. at Third Avenue United Church

Ticket Information:

We have kept the cost at $30.00 for many years, but due to the increased cost of beef, the price per plate has gone up this year. Due to this, we have had to increase the price our tickets a bit as well.  This year, the price of the tickets are as follows:

• Adults:  $35.00
• Dancers:  $15.00
• Kids 6-12:  $20.00 (please note corrected age range)
• Kids 3-5: $5.00
• 2 and under: Free 

This year, each dance family will be limited to 4 tickets, plus their dancer(s). If you require additional tickets, we will put your name on a list and once everyone has purchased their initial round of tickets, we will pull names for an additional 2 tickets with a random draw and sell any available tickets.

Seating will be rush seating this year, same as it was last year.  Doors will not be open prior to 5pm.  To make less congestion at the door, please have your names on the back of the tickets.

Volunteer requirements: As this is our club’s major fundraiser of the year, all families are required to volunteer.

• ALL PARENTS ARE REQUIRED TO ASSIST WITH DECORATING THE MORNING OF ROBBIE BURNS.  MORE DETAILED INFORMATION WILL BE PROVIDED CLOSER TO THE DATE, BUT WE NORMALLY MEET AROUND 10AM AT THE ALEX DILLABOUGH IN BATTLEFORD TO SET THINGS UP WHILE THE DANCERS REHEARSE.  THIS USUALLY LASTS TILL APPRX NOON.  MORE HANDS MAKES LESS WORK!
• Each family is required to bring 1 dozen short bread to set up the morning of Burns.
• Each family is required to bring a silent auction item.
• Each family is required to also fill one of the following shifts/jobs:

Volunteer Coordinator:  Have all volunteers sign once their shift is completed, ensure all parents have completed their jobs.  (1 parent)

Silent Auction Chair:  Coordinate the Silent Auction, oversee the auction.  (1 Senior Parent)

Silent Auction:  Each family is required to bring a silent auction item.  Morning of Burns, the committee members will be in charge of arranging the items on the silent auction tables, and ensuring each item has a bid sheet.  Evening of Burns, committee members will be in charge of answering any questions pertaining to the silent auction, pulling items throughout the night as well as collecting money following the completion of the auction.  Getting the money to Loralee Gattinger following the auction.  (2 Senior parents & 2 New Parents)

Decorating Committee:  Tablecloths washed and ironed, decorations to be gone thru and decide what we want to use this year, lanterns, candles, etc.  Ensure that all decorations are at the hall for rehearsal on Saturday morning, taking them home at the end o the night and returning them to the church for storage, prior to putting tablecloths away, they must be washed and folded.   (2 Senior Parents & 2 New parents)

Clean up Committee:  Ensure all decorations are collected at the end of the night (This will also be completed by the Decorating committee) Tables cleared throughout the night (The bar people will also be helping with this.) Ensure nothing is left at the hall at the end of the night.  Check back dressing rooms and meeting rooms.  Empty all garbages and has to be taken out at the end of the night to the dumpster.  (2 Senior parents & 2 New Parents)

Cans & Bottles from the bar:  Collect the cans and bottles from the bar at the end of the night, take them to SARCAN for recycling and ensure Loralee gets the bottle money to deposit into our accounts .  (1 Parent)

Midnight Lunch Committee:  Decide what to serve at midnight lunch.  Last year we had lots of meat and salads left over from the supper.  Be there to put the food out at about 10/1030pm and clean everything up following the midnight lunch.  Be sure to have containers to put any left over food in at the end of the night, can even be large zip loc bags.  The leftovers can be sold at the end of the night. Will need to ensure we have bowls, cutlery, condiments, plates, etc.  (2 Senior Parents & 1 New Parent)

Roses:  Arrange selling of roses the night of Robbie Burns.  Order roses from a local florist, we have ordered them from Sobey’s in the past.  Require a float/cash box.  Flowers to be sold during cocktail hour and between supper and the program starting.  Ensure money is given to Loralee. (1 parent)

Shift selling Roses:

• Cocktail Hour Shift :  5-6pm  (1 parent)
• Immediately following supper to start of program:  Apprx 630-730pm (1 parent)

50/50: 4 people to sell 50-50’s throughout the evening.  There will be 2 from each club selling, so please partner up with one of the Mason’s.   Will also require you to rip the tickets into strips the morning of Burns during set up.  Selling times will be during the cocktail hour as well as immediately following supper until the program starts.  (1 New Parent & 1 Senior Parent)

Raffle Draw: 4 people to sell raffle tickets throughout the evening.  There will be 2 from each club, so please partner up with one of the Mason’s.   Will also require you to rip the tickets into strips the morning of Burns during set up.  Selling times will be during the cocktail hour as well as immediately following supper until the program starts.  (1 New Parent & 1 Senior Parent)

Centerpieces/List of Dancers:  Design the centrepiece with the names of the dancers as well as the teachers.  (Kind of like a program) Ensure its to the printers on time and pick them up from the printers.  Make sure that are at the hall the morning of Burns for set up.  Any questions, ask Heather or Debbie..we have the samples from last year. (1 Parent)

Shortbread:  Each family is required to bring 1 dozen short bread to set up the morning of Burns.  These will be set out on the tables following supper for everyone to enjoy throughout the night.  We will need 2 parents to arrange the cookies onto trays the morning of Burns.  They will also be in charge of putting them out onto the tables following supper.  Check in the storage room to see what we have for platters/trays.  (2 Parents)

Taking tickets at the supper line:  1 person from our club and 1 from the Masons will be in front of the supper tables, taking the tickets from everyone.  (1 Parent)

Goody Bags for the dancers:    put together a small gift/goodie bag for each dancer, in years past we have gotten the Christmas Lifesavers books on sale following christmas.  Doesn’t need to be anything elaborate or expensive.  (1 Parent)

Burns Co-Chairs - Debbie Slabaida & Heather Wakelin

Floats & Cheques - Loralee Gattinger

MCs - Kerilyn Voigt & Sheldon Gattinger

 

Happy November, BHDA families. The cold weather reminds me of my favourite time of year... before you know it, we'll be celebrating Robert Burns! :)

In this newsletter, you'll find information about:

• the 2014 AGM
• extra lessons
• medal tests
• our next dance-out
• Robbie Burns night - information meeting, November 20
• important dates

2014 Annual General Meeting
The AGM was held on October 23. Click here to read the minutes. Congratulations to Loralee Gattinger who was elected to a two-year term as treasurer. Tracey Sheppard (president), Kerilee Tady (vice-president), and Rebecca Knibbs-Bell (secretary) continue in the second year of their two-year terms. Thank you all for your volunteer time and effort!

Extra Lessons
Extra lessons started this month, and run the first Tuesday of every month. These are for any dancers wanting to get a little extra instruction, either to prepare for competition or master the latest dance they are learning. If your dancer is interested, please let your teacher know.

Medal Tests
Medal tests will be held on Wednesday, November 19, but unfortunately the schedule is not yet confirmed. Your teacher will let you know as soon as times are known. Good luck dancers! Read more about our very distinguished examiner, Sheena McDonald from Scotland, here: http://sdta.co.uk/about/sdta-examiners/sheena-mcdonald/

Dance-out - November 18
Our next dance-out is Tuesday, November 18 at 6:30 p.m. at Davidson Manor (Winder Cres off of 15th ave). Please email Melissa at m.fuhr@loccsd.ca before Friday, November 14 to let her know if you can take part. Also, the Manor always provides a small lunch for the dancers afterwards, so please tell Melissa if your dancer has any food sensitivities.

Robbie Burns Night Update
Our annual Robbie Burns Ceilidh will be held on Saturday, January 24. This is our major fundraiser for the year, as well as a wonderful night to celebrate Scotland's national poet. We co-host the night with the local Ionic Lodge.

The evening includes a wonderful catered meal, toasts to Burns and to the lassies (in the tradition of Burns Suppers held all around the world), the pipes and drums, performances by our dancers, as well as a public dance at the end of the night. There is also a silent auction, door prizes, and the like.

Please plan to attend the next monthly BHDA meeting on Thursday, November 20, as many details regarding Robbie Burns night will be discussed. There are volunteer requirements for each family, and important ticket information will be shared.  It is easiest to get this information first-hand at the meeting. Thank you to Burns co-chairs Heather Wakelin and Debbie Slabaida.

Upcoming Dates
November 18 - Dance-out, Davidson Manor, 6:30 p.m.
November 19 - Medal Tests - More information to come.
November 20 - Monthly BHDA meeting, 5:30 p.m. 3rd Avenue United Church
November 22 - Saskatoon Highland Dance Association Open Competition Good luck to all BHDA dancers competing!
November 23 - SHDA Workshop
December 2 - Extra lessons
December 18 - Last lesson before Christmas break
January 8 - Lessons resume