Dear Dancers,

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July will be here before we know it, and we are eagerly awaiting to take to the dance floor in beautiful Boone, NC! Our board has been working together to plan an entertaining and instructional week, but we require your involvement to be a true success. Here are a few things for you to know.

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Class assignment – Blue Ridge Scottish Dance School is committed to helping all students improve their skills in all aspects of SCD, including footwork, phrasing, sociability, teamwork, covering, eye contact, handing, and posture. As such, all classes will emphasize these elements of good dancing. In order to get to know each dancer better please complete the questionnaire found at https://www.blueridgesds.org/class-survey . Those of you who completed this survey in 2024 do not need to complete another one unless your personal dancing conditions have changed. 

 

Silent Auction –Please check out the great items for our Auction. We will update the site as more items are donated. If you plan to bring an item, please let Alanna Lester know at alester@vt.edu. A photo of your item would be appreciated. Proceeds from the silent auction will go toward the cost of renting Grandview Ballroom for our week of dancing in 2026. 

 

BRSDS Merchandise – Check out our website Shop to view and purchase our popular tie dye t-shirt, solid color T’s, a sweatshirt, ball cap, and a new enamel pin. The site will be updated periodically. Proceeds from the shirts will also offset the cost of the ballroom.

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Sunday Sundaes – Join us in the common room in Thunder Hill Hall after dancing for a time of greeting and eating as you build your own sundaes and fellowship with other dancers.

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Monday’s evening dance Country Western theme – Say “Howdy” to your dance partners dressed in your denim, gingham, bandanas, and cowboy hats.

 

Tuesday – Blue Ridge Olympics - After lunch, join in for some Blue Ridge antics in the grassy common area behind the dorm. We will have an outdoor pizza/salad party before dancing.

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Wednesday – Evening Ceilidh – We will hold a ceilidh on Wednesday following dancing in Grandview Ballroom. Please let David Glick(dglick@alumni.psu.edu) know what act you wish to share, and if you need any music or sound provided. We would appreciate knowing in advance of the week if possible.

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Thursday – Free Afternoon - Thursday afternoon and early evening are free for you to enjoy. Take advantage of the beautiful hikes in and around Boone, visit a winery, local gardens, shopping, or just relaxing on campus. Signups for some of these options will be available earlier in the week. Visit one of the local restaurants or breweries for dinner and then return to dance at Grandview or attend the Clan Gathering at Grandfather Mountain.

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Friday – Pictures – AGM* - Ball – Wear your BRSDS t-shirts or any other blue shirts for class pictures which will be taken during our combined morning class. A full group photo will be taken after class on the way to lunch in front of the Yosef statue. Our formal group photo will be shot on Friday evening before the Ball Grand March. You have another opportunity to support the Elizabeth Lee and Duard Barnes Scholarship Fund by sponsoring a dance on the ball. Signup sheets will be available all week long. Your name or group will be announced before the dance that you chose to sponsor.

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Breakout sessions – We are still working on the afternoon breakout sessions for Monday and Wednesday.

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Afters gatherings – Gather in the common room in Thunder Hill Hall after the evening dancing for more fun, food, and fellowship. Feel free to share snacks. There will be a refrigerator to share. This year we will also have a quieter gathering room in one of the studies.

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*AGM – Blue Ridge Scottish Dance School, Inc. is a 501c3 non-profit organization run by dancers for dancers. The initial board was formally elected in 2022. Each officer serves for two years with two rotating every year. This year the offices of Vice-President and Treasurer are up for election. If you would like to run for an office or serve on the board of BRSDS contact Lewis Tumlin (lewistumlin@yahoo.com) or Caz Freeman (carolineannefreeman@gmail.com). Please join us for our important annual meeting on Friday afternoon where we will hold elections for those two positions. The ball walk through will immediately follow the AGM.

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Don’t forget to complete the dance questionnaire, let Alanna know about any silent auction items, David know of your ceilidh act, pack your country/western themed dance clothes, and your BRSDS or other blue t-shirts for picture day. Be on the lookout for another letter with check-in instructions and things to bring to school.

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We can’t wait to see you!