Winter Events 2025/6

There were 15 cheerful souls at our tea party on Saturday, and I thank the host very much for his hospitality. We feasted on sandwiches, banana bread, chocolate chip cookies and brownies. We supped tea and coffee. The fair assembly patiently listened to my paper (which turned out to be longer than 10 minutes) and then took part, actively or passively, in the discussion that followed. (If you would like to review the part that made our host laugh until he cried, here is a link to my talk.) Two songs about Mrs McLean’s Waltzing Party made their debut.

One of the surprises of the event–there are always surprises at our events–was that the disabled Mr McLean managed to hirple up and down the stairs. Many thanks to the gentlemen who carried his wheelchair or stood guard behind him. Thanks also to those who brought home baking.

Part of our discussion concerned future events. Some of these are “in-house”, as it were, and some could be described as excursions. My experience of dancing excursions suggests that these are always more fun in a group. Also, the presence of Mrs McLean’s Waltzing Party at these events creates more fun for other people because our gentlemen ask ladies, even unknown ladies, to dance.

Here is a brief sketch of the local dancing activities that I am recommending to our group for the end of 2025 and beginning of 2026:

November

Sunday, November 2: ICDC Edinburgh 2025 (Inter-College Dance Competition) from 1:30 PM to 4 PM at Greyfriars-Charteris Center. £2.50. Luis, our new waltz teacher, is competing. Although this is “competition ballroom,” not “social ballroom,” it will surely be entertaining and instructive. To enable us to get to the venue more-or-less on time after Mass, I will hire a taxi for 6. To book a place, send me a message on our “Waltz-App” and feel free to contribute £2 or so towards the fare. Caveat: If women’s clothing is a stumbling block for you, be advised that female Latin dance competitors show a lot of leg. There is also likely to be a sleeve famine among the women.

Saturday, November 29: Grassmarket Community Project St. Andrew’s Ceilidh at 86 Candlemaker Row. Seven of us went last year, and it was very good fun.(See photo above for proof.) If you are under 18, you must bring a parent or stand over them as they write a letter leaving you in my guardianship from 6:45 PM until 12:30 AM. (I may have to show it to somebody.) Tickets (with Eventbrite charge) come to about £25. A traditional Scottish supper is included. MMWP will sponsor two tickets for the unwaged (who, if they are under 18, will have to get parental permission). To buy a ticket (and I recommend sooner rather than later, as with all holiday events), click here. No dress code, but plaid appreciated, and our gentlemen set a fine example of sartorial elegance last year. (Refer to photo again.)

December

Sunday, December 14: MMWP Gaudete Sunday Party We are trad, our Advent is sad. Well, not super-sad, but the secular December-long bacchanal is not for us. Gaudete Sunday gives us a break from Advent disciplines, however, so we will be meeting at the Dean for a waltzing lesson with Luis, some swing-dancing and some ceilidh. Refreshments. Suggested donation for the waged to cover the costs: £5. Dress code: church clothes.

Tuesday, December 30: Countdown to Hogmanay with The Big Shoogle I have been to two Hogmanay ceilidhs in the last two years. The fun one was at Assembly Roxy with The Big Shoogle and MMWP friends, and the not-fun one was elsewhere with strangers. Therefore, to Assembly Roxy we will go, and getting home should be a lot easier than it would be on New Year’s Eve, believe me. Again, as with all holiday ceilidhs, buying in advance is a good idea. £25. For tickets, click here.

January

Sunday, January 18: MMWP TLM Children’s Ceilidh At last I have hit upon a way to include our TLM parents and weans in a Sunday dance party: it is to tailor a party specifically for the children. It will be held at the Dean from 2:30 until 5. Sophia will be teaching the ceilidh dances, and regular MMWP attendees are welcome to come and help. Also, there will be a free dance from 4:30 PM, so we can dazzle the bairns with our swing-dancing moves while giving them a rest (?) before the obligatory Strip the Willow. Refreshments. Suggested donation for waged families to cover the costs: £10. Admission will be restricted to families who attend the TLM in Scotland, and children must be accompanied at all times by their parents.

And those are all the plans for now. Please let me know via Facebook or “Waltz-App” if you have bought a ticket to any of the events and/or are planning to come. If you would love to come but are skint, let me know. Discretion guaranteed although I will need a note from parents if you are under 18.