Wee Weekly News

The St. Andrew's Society publishes a weekly newsletter, the "Wee Weekly News," which is emailed to our members and friends every Wednesday afternoon. Containing Society news as well as Scottish-themed articles and snippets, it is great way to keep informed about local events and other items of interest to the Scottish community.
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Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. St. Andrew's Society of Montreal Wee Weekly News September 13, 2023 In this issue Supporting the McGill Chair in Canadian-Scottish Studies Debutantes and escorts: register now for the Ball! Meet a student in the educational aid program Learn Scottish country dancing! Come to an Irish céilí! Open house at the Montreal Piping and Drumming School Online lectures: Voyages to Scotland and Scots Voyaging Abroad Don Nerbas, Chair in Canadian-Scottish Studies at McGill University (left); and Scott MacKenzie, President, St. Andrew's Society Scots care! The Society supports the McGill Chair in Canadian-Scottish Studies Last week, the St. Andrew's Society presented a cheque to Dr. Don Nerbas, Chair in Canadian-Scottish Studies at McGill. This donation will help to support several initiatives, including a talk by Marjory Harper (University of Aberdeen) at the McGill Faculty Club on October 27, a Canadian-Scottish Studies spring event, and additional internships. The Society is proud to be a founding and ongoing supporter of this important academic program which advances research and learning about Scots and the Scottish influence in the history of Canada, Quebec and Montreal. Don Nerbas recently contributed a chapter, "Family, Society and Highland Identity in an Industrial World," to the book Scottish Highlands and the Atlantic World which was published this summer by Edinburgh University Press. This book explores the impact that Scots had, as sojourners and settlers, on the different places they encountered. It is also a book about the present-day legacies of their engagements with Empire, and of the ongoing process of forging social and cultural identities with Highland roots. We eagerly await his newest book, Montreal's Square Mile, which will be published in December by University of Toronto Press! Meet a student in the educational aid program The St. Andrew's Society has supported education throughout its history, and is proud to be able to provide financial assistance to qualified students. Many thanks to our members whose generosity makes this program possible. Scots care! By Mary Durocher I am a first-year student in the Master of Information Studies program at McGill University. My academic interests are focused on both public and academic librarianship and archives. I am passionate about social justice intersects within the library and archive fields. Previously, I worked as a library assistant in New York City's Human Resources Administration's McMillan Library. My work at the McMillan Library focused on supporting staff working in social services and archiving library materials related to homelessness and the history of social service programs in New York City. I received my B.A. from Marymount Manhattan College in 2022 where I was a double major in English and world literature and digital journalism with a concentration in creative writing. During my undergraduate studies, I received the John Costello Award for creative nonfiction. I was also managing editor for TwoTwoOne.NYC and editor for The Carson Review. Originally from Schenectady, New York, I resided in Astoria, Queens for five years before moving to Montreal. In Quebec, I hope to further delve into both my Quebecois and Scottish ancestry which has always greatly interested me. Learn Scottish country dancing! Every fall, the St. Andrew's Society prepares for the upcoming Ball by holding informal dance practices in the weeks leading up to the event. But did you know that there are also Scottish country dance classes offered year-round? The Royal Scottish Dance Society has a branch in Montreal which offers weekly dance classes in Kildonan Hall at the Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul, 3415 Redpath Street. Classes take place most weeks on Tuesday evening from 7 to 9 p.m. and cost $5 each (cash at the door). It is not necessary to bring a partner—participants will be paired with more advanced dancers, and taught by qualified teachers to learn the footwork and formations. A beginner's workshop is planned for October 7. Details wil be available soon! For more information, please visit the group's website or contact them at rscdsmontreal@gmail.com. Come to an Irish céilí! The Siamsa School of Irish Music is delighted to announce that their monthly céilís are resuming! The next session will be held in the newly-renovated St. George's Anglican Church parish hall, 1101 Stanley Street, Montreal, on Saturday, September 30 from 8 to 11:45 p.m. A céilí ("kay-lee") is an evening of traditional Irish social dance. Great fun for all—novices and experienced dancers, young and old alike. And if you don’t feel like stepping it out, enjoy a glass from the bar, listen to the music and watch the fun on the floor! A short instructional session is provided at the start of each céilí to help welcome new dancers. Caller Bill White will guide participants through a varied program of traditional dances, from easy "come-all-ye" circle dances to more challenging "sets" (quadrilles), favourites such as the Gay Gordons and of course a couple of waltzes. You are sure to have a great time! Bring your dancing shoes (leather soles are great), especially in winter to keep the dance floor dry and safe. Footwear should be non-marking and appropriate for dance. Tickets will be sold at the door (cash or debit): General admission: $15 Students, seniors and under 18: $10 Under 12 years: free In partnership with St. George's, profits from the food and beverages will be channeled in support of their Children's Ministry. For more information, please visit the event website! Open house and registration at the Montreal Piping and Drumming School Tomorrow night (September 14) beginning at 7 p.m., the Montreal Piping and Drumming School is holding an open house and registration session for their upcoming season. The MPDS offers 3 semesters of classes on Thursday nights from September 21 until July 1, with small group classes for beginner to intermediate Highland bagpipes, tenor, and snare drum. Practice chanter/drum classes (7–8 p.m.) are $150 per semester, and our pipe band class (8–9 p.m.) is only $25 per semester, payable by cash or credit card. New students will also need to buy a lesson book for $15, and we can help you order an instrument if you do not have one already. Don't miss this chance to learn the fine art of Scottish piping and drumming! For more information, visit the school website or contact Director Jenna Dennison at pipes@mpds.ca. Online lectures from our friends at the Scottish Studies Foundation Voyages to Scotland and Scots Voyaging Abroad: Histories of Travel The Centre for Scottish Studies at the University of Guelph will be hosting a short series of online lectures focused on historical travels in Scotland and Scottish travellers abroad with international experts sharing their insights. The lectures are free and all are invited to attend. To register, click on the Eventbrite links below. Tuesday 19 September 2023, 12:00–1:00 p.m. Dr. Gareth Roddy Enchantment at the Edge: Phantom islands and mythical lands at the Atlantic periphery Eventbrite - Details and Registration (19 September 2023) Tuesday 26 September 2023, 12:00–1:00 p.m. Prof. Daniel Maudlin, Dr. Vaughn Scribner and Theresa Mackay (moderated by Prof. Kevin James) The Scottish Inn: Historical and Comparative Perspectives Eventbrite - Details and Registration (26 September 2023) Tuesday 3 October 2023, 12:00–1:00 p.m. Dr. Ingibjörg Ágústsdóttir Isobel Wylie Hutchison and Iceland Eventbrite - Details and Registration (3 October 2023) Upcoming events Thursday, September 14, 4:30 p.m. Lecture: "Adam Smith's 'Coarse Clay' Political Realism" Presented by McGill University Information> Thursday, September 14, 7 p.m. Open house and registration Presented by the Montreal Piping and Drumming School Information> Tuesday, September 19, 12 p.m. Online lecture: Enchantment at the Edge: Phantom islands and mythical lands at the Atlantic periphery Presented by the Scottish Studies Foundation at the University of Guelph Information and registration> Thursday, September 21, 6 p.m. Fish and Chips Supper Siboire Microbrewery, Saint-Laurent Information and registration> Tuesday, September 26, 12 p.m. Online lecture: The Scottish Inn: Historical and Comparative Perspectives Presented by the Scottish Studies Foundation at the University of Guelph Information and registration> Saturday, September 30, 8 p.m. Irish céilí Presented by the Siamsa School of Irish Music Information> Tuesday, October 3, 12 p.m. Online lecture: Isobel Wylie Hutchison and Icelane Presented by the Scottish Studies Foundation at the University of Guelph Information and registration> Saturday, October 7 Beginner's Scottish country dance workshop Presented by the Montreal branch of the Royal Scottish Dance Society Information> Friday, October 13, 6 p.m. Taste of Scotland Whisky Tasting Night Officers' Mess, Black Watch Armoury Tickets and information> Friday, November 17 St. Andrew's Ball Marriott Château Champlain Information> Founded in 1835, the St. Andrew’s Society of Montreal is a charitable society dedicated to the assistance of Montreal’s Scottish community, to education, and to the preservation of Scottish arts and culture. 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