MAY 2013
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New interactive ' Scots in BC website launched on Tartan Day
VANCOUVER - The Centre for Scottish Studies at Simon Fraser University launched a new interactive website, "Scots in BC: Transatlantic Traces," on Tartan Day.
The launch was a festive occasion, featuring an explanation of the website, music by the Vancouver Fiddle Orchestra, and dancing by the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society - Vancouver branch.
"The Scots in BC: Transatlantic Traces" website collects together for the first time information online on the
many different activities in which Scots were involved in the history of British Columbia.
A "timeline" toggle will take visitors to a page containing a timeline of important dates concerning Scots in B.C.
The website offers links that many will find useful if you are trying to find out more about Scots in this province.
It also offers an opportunity for members of the public to share their family stories in a process of public history creation. Up to three photographs can be uploaded along with your family history.
Any information uploaded to the website will be made public. If at any time you wish to remove your informa-tion, you need simply e-mail leith@sfu.ca, or call (778) 782-4833.
The website was created with a generous grant from SFU Department of English's FIC Funds. Emma Pink served as the research assistant for the site and put in many tireless hours of work. Gladys Tang and Sasha Cameron of SFU's Teaching and Learning Centre contributed the design and programming of the site.
The URL for the new "Scots in BC" website is: www.sfu.ca/scotsinbc.
Inverglen Scottish Dancers Present 'Failte Abhaile'
By CHRIS HERBERT
VANCOUVER - For the second year running the Inverglen Scottish Dancers, along with the Kerrisdale Community Dancers, will perform at Magee Secondary School Theatre in Vancouver.
The performance, entitled 'Failte Abhaile', will be held on Saturday, June 8 at 2 PM.
Last year's performance was a huge hit with dance fans who attended from around Metro Vancouver.
This year the non-competitive dancers ages three to 23 will perform Highland, Scottish Country, and step dances along with novelty dances choreographed by Sandra Crosby.
Crosby has been teaching and choreographing Scottish dance for more than 30 years. Her schools in Vancouver and Abbotsford have first and second generation students.
The Inverglen Scottish Dancers have performed throughout B.C., Canadaand the U.S., England, Scotland, Australia, Singapore, and Aviles in Spain.
This year's performance at the Magee Secondary School Theatre located at 6360 Maple Street in Vancouver is set to be another wonderful celebration of Scottish dance.
Tickets are $14 for adults, children 12 and under and seniors 65 and up are $10. More information at: www.inverglenscottishdancers.com.
THREE lovely dancers with the Inverglen Scottish Dancers who will perform at Magee Secondary School Theatre in Vancouver on June 8.
Bannockburn events 'watered down'
EDINBURGH - The 700th anniversary of the battle of Bannockburn will attract fewer expat Scots than the 2009 Homecoming, the leader of Scot-land's clan chiefs has warned.
Sir Malcolm MacGregor of Clan MacGregor said that plans to re-enact
Top 10 Celtic Hits for May
Celt In A Twist is local contemporary Celtic radio heard weekly on AM 1470, CJVB in Vancouver.
www.worldbeatcanada.com.
The following is the Celt In A Twist Contemporary Celtic Top Ten:
1. If You Were Mine by Mary Jane Lamond/Wendy Maclsaac-Seinn on Independent.
2. Balto by Enter the Haggis -The Modest Revolution on Independent
3. Came and Went by The Town Pants - Fifteen on Independent
4. Stony Ground by Richard Thompson - Electric on New West label.
5. Gilleasbuig by Maeve Mackinnon - Once Upon An
Olive Branch on Independent.
6. Auctioneering Everything by Jaron Freeman-Fox -
And the Opposite of Everything on Independent.
7. Allegory by Rura - Break It Up on Green Trax.
8. Brennan on the Moor by Pat Chessell - Lullabies and Battle Cries on Independent.
9. Angels and Devils by The Mahones - Angels & Devils on Whiskey Devil Records.
10. The Juicy One by Trias - Trias on GO' Danish.
Celt In A Twist Pick Of The Month: The Town Pants - Fifteen (Independent)
Robert the Brace's victory over the English would not prove as popular with the Scottish diaspora as an international clan gathering.
Giving evidence to Holyrood, the convener of the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs criticised the "watered-down" plans to celebrate Bannockburn next year.
Sir Malcolm was referring to a decision by Stirling Council and the Scottish Government to cancel a clan gathering event similar to the one that was the centrepiece of the controversial 2009 Homecoming celebrations.
The clan chief said the cancellation of the Clans 2014 event that would have coincided with the 700th anniversary was a "huge disappointment" nationally and internationally.
According to Sir Malcolm, 17,000 expat Scots travelled to The Gathering in 2009. He said most members of the American diaspora need two years notice to plan their journeys to Scotland.
Clans 2014 was cancelled last October amid projected losses of £250,000. Fears over losses followed the controversy that engulfed the 2009 Gathering, which it was modelled on.
Despite being seen as a huge success by the diaspora, the 2009 Gathering was viewed less favourably at home. The company responsible for the event, Gathering 2009 Ltd., was liquidated with debts of £726,000.
Quebec City Celtic Festival 2013
QUEBEC CITY - The eighth annual Quebec City Celtic Festival will be held from August 29 to September 8.
Peter McAuslan, founder of McAuslan Breweries and a well-known supporter of cultural events, will the 2013 Honorary President.
McAuslan Breweries has committed to sponsor the Celtic Festival for the next three years which in addition to the support of the many partners, will allow festival organizations to prepare an even more colourful program.
The complete and detailed program will be available online in mid-June at: http: / /festivalceltique.com/en.
Quebec Thistle Council
Guy Morisset, chairman of the Quebec Celtic Festival has been appointed as a fellow of the Quebec Thistle Council. The appointment demonstrates the council's recognition of the festival's efforts in recent years to promote Scottish culture, Scottish sports and competition, and their clearly stated intention to present accredited Highland Games by 2018.
Cefc io
Canada's Contemporary Celtic Radio
download weekly at www.worldbeatcanada.com Sundays @ 4pm, AM 1470, CJVB Vancouver
'Worthing for Scot [and in Canada
'Business, CuCture, 'Education ancC (government
go to tfie %Ve6site: www.scottishcanadianagency.com Or Contact Warty McCjrath 'EmaiC: harry@scottishca nadianagency.com
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