Virginia tattoo day 1
Many of us traveled far and wide to meet the team at Auckland Airport, aside the 2 dancers that missed their flight from Nelson due to the horrible weather conditions. After 12 long bumpy hours we finally reached our destination, Los Angles. Everyone boundered out of security in excitement to see what LA had to offer. After two hours of waiting the two girls from Nelson walked through the security doors to our relief. Turns out we were stuck inside the confinement of LAX ‘prison’ for 10 long hours, yay. Thank god for wifi. The trip continued to Chicago where Mrs Piesse took a wrong turn had a wee whoopsy with security and was subsequently trapped without a passport to verify her identity, thankfully Mrs Hall came to her rescue, in the end….. As the team cautiously approached the very small plane, emphasis on small, we were all relieved that we would be at our final destination in a couple of hours. As the time flew by, no pun intended, everyone became increasingly excited. Nina and Michael Duffy, two professional clowns, introduced themselves as our adopted parents and drove us to the next destination. Once the team arrived to Virginia, we all meet Eleanor, the head honcho, and preceded to get our costumes fitted. Tired and bedraggled we hurried back to the hotel to get some much-needed sleep.
Mariel
Virginia Tattoo Day 3
By day three we are getting used to cruising down the highway with an absence of indicators and drivers on the opposite side of cars.
We start back at the school of the bull dogs and begin to sharpen the dances we have learned, and by the end of our practices we began to feel more confident.
With a lunch of subway (yummers). We had time to kill with a long break and we decided to take a tiki tour down to the Norfolk naval base.
We entered the base where beached ships are as large as several houses and people on board look like ants. Around the base there are apartments for sailors, shops and even large strangely shaped helicopters.
Later we arrived at the "scope" the place we are performing to free wifi and a great dinner. All the pipe bands from around the world practised including Oman, Australia and military bands. After watching them play and their different take of drumming in an enclosed space, the sudden loudness sent the girls into squeals. We enjoyed the excitement of rehearsing to the pipe bands with our props and saw what it would look like as a show. Finishing at 10pm we tiredly dragged ourselves back to the hotel with our chorus of high school music in the bus.
Written by Tess (Auckland) and Jessie (Hawkes Bay)
Virginia Tattoo
Executive wish all dancers travelling to Virginia today, safe travels, best wishes and we hope that you enjoy representing the Academy at the Virginia Tattoo, have a great time and we look forward to reading the daily blogs and seeing all the photos.
New Merchandise - Highland Dancer Window cling
New product - Highland Dancer Window clings available now for $4
These will make great gifts to dancers and parents.
See store for details
Conference 2014
The Academy Conference this year is being held in Invercargill 19-21st September.
The April newsletter will have the details of the venue, accommodation options and Dance Development workshop topics.
Highland Dance Company of New Zealand - applications for 2014
The Highland Dance Company of NZ is taking applications from new dancers who would like to audition to be part of the 2014 Dance Company.
See Downloads for the application forms
Also See downloads for the application form to rejoin the Dance company and application form for dancers who have previously been in the Dance Company who wish to reapply after leave of absence
If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact the Academy Secretary: admin@nzahnd.org.nz
All applications close 04 April
Ghillie Callum Club - Judging seminar 6th April
The Ghillie Callum Club in Dunedin is conducting a Judging seminar on the 6th April with Mrs Julie Hawke as the facilitator.
The entry form and further details are available from the Downloads page
Teacher Training Seminar - Christchurch report
The Canterbury Caledonian Society held a Teaching Seminar in the Scottish Society Hall on 2nd March 2014.
Tutors Sue Gill and Julie Hawke devoted most of morning session discussing the setting up of a private dancing school and the sense of achievement that comes from tutoring young children in the art of highland and national dancing. The majority of the attendees are tutors or assisting teachers from the Caledonian Society Dance Classes with once dancer from Ashburton also attending.
During the afternoon session Julie Hawke with a number of her younger pupils demonstrated a class with the children, following which our young members took them thru various basic movements of the Highland Fling, Irish Jig and Sword Dance. The aim of the seminar was to encourage the establishment of new dancing schools by our younger members and those attending happily showed great enthusiasm in both the discussion and practical sessions. I am sure they will all want to continue their involvement through further learning and the promotion of highland and national dancing.
Colleen Cole
Vice President/Tutor
Canterbury Caledonian Society
