Aurora Ball
Each year, Aurora hosts a ball, usually in late May or early June. The ball is attended by dancers from both the local area and further away!
- Aurora Ball 2018. Once more, Sandy Nixon and his band played for us at the Ashdale Hall on Saturday 2nd June. We had an Alpine theme, to prepare us for our visit to Annecy, France, later in the year.
- Aurora Ball 2017. Once more, Sandy Nixon and his band played for us at the Ashdale Hall on Saturday 27th May. We had an Alpine theme, to prepare us for our visit to Annecy, France, later in the year.
- Aurora Ball 2016 – this was our 20th Anniversary Ball, and had a birthday theme
- Aurora Ball 2015. Sandy Nixon and his band played for us at the Ashdale Hall on Saturday 23rd The theme this year was pirates, with a very appropriate programme!
- Aurora Ball 2014. As we were to host a French group later that summer, the ball on Saturday 31st May had a French theme, with appropriate decorations. Sandy Nixon and his band provided the music.
- Aurora Ball 2013. Sandy Nixon and his band kept us on our toes again this year on Saturday 25th May. You can still see the Programme here.
- Aurora Ball 2012. Once again our ball was held at the Ashdale Hall in Westhill, with Sandy Nixon’s Band providing lively music appropriate for a glittering evening when we all brought out our diamonds. You can still see the programme here.
- The 2011 Aurora Ball on 28th May attracted an enthusiastic crowd of over 90 dancers. Sandy Nixon and his band treated us to some irresistible tunes, and everyone enjoyed the legendary Aurora puddings! You can see photos in our online album.
- Our 2010 Ball held on 29th May at the Ashdale Hall in Westhill was a glittering evening graced by the presence of tiara-bedecked princesses and dashing princes.Thanks to the generosity of those who purchased raffle tickets, we were able to raise £160 to support the work of Aberdeen Street Pastors.
- The theme of our 2009 Ball was ‘homecoming’, with each table decorated to represent one of the countries which Aurora has visited, or the home country of an Aurora member, so the hall was full of colour! We chose to donate the proceeds of our raffle to the Archie Foundation in memory of Jenna Lane, a popular and vivacious member of Aurora. Thanks to the generosity of the dancers who attended, we were able to make a donation of £200 to this local charity.
- The 2008 Aurora Masked Ball on Saturday 24th May was a great success, with Sandy Nixon and his band creating a wonderful atmosphere. Our raffle in aid of CLAN raised an amazing £160!
- 11th Aurora Ball, 2nd June 2007
- 10th Anniversary The Aurora Ball, 27th May 2006
Cultural and Social Events
Throughout the year, Aurora members and their guests attend a variety of other cultural and social events and other activities.
- Bingo Night – in April 2018, we held a bingo night at the Ashvale to raise funds for our upcoming festival it was a great success!
- Burns Supper 2018 – as ever we enjoyed haggis, neeps and tatties with lashings of whisky sauce! Our enjoyment was not deterred by the snow, which prevented piper Stewart from joining us, as a number of participants ‘piped’ in the haggis using kazoos.
- Aurora Camping 2017 – our traditional end of summer camping trip this year took place at Aden Country Park in Mintlaw. Some photos of our fun trip can be found here.
- Burgie House February 2017 – our annual weekend away was once more at Burgie House near Forres. This year, we had all been evacuated for the duration of hostilities – code breaking and other fun abounded. Medals at dinner were optional. Photos can be seen in our online photo album.
- Burns Supper 2017 – our traditional Burns Supper was another roaring success. Graeme’s memorable Toast to the Lassies revealed that Aurora was to be joined by a new junior member in summer 2017!
- Burgie House February 2016 – we had another fantastic weekend at Burgie House – a highlight was trialling dances for our 20th anniversary book. Photos can be found in our album.
- Burns Supper 2016 – we had a great time at our Burns supper with drinking, dancing and dining.
- Burgie House February 2015 – Following the theme of a brilliant trip to Burgie, we decided to remove people with a full sized Cluedo game – brilliant fun was had! – You can see photos in our online album.
- Burns Supper 2015
- Burgie House February 2014 – After the success last year at Burgie House near Forres, we decided to return to the same venue this year during the weekend 21st-24th February. The weather was kind and we were able to spend many hours walking in the countryside (together with a lot of dancing, eating and games, of course). Liz and Kirsten organised an ‘assassination’ game which kept everybody on their toes! You can see photos in our online album.
- Burns Supper 2014 – We were lucky this year and didn’t need snow shovels – but there were serious puddles in the car park! Around 60 Aurora members and guests had a really good evening of ‘Burnsing’, haggis-eating and dancing!
- We thought we’d have a ‘posh’ venue for a change, so the 2013 Away Weekend was held on February 8-10th at Burgie House near Forres. In keeping with the venue we decided to dress for dinner and hold a lively dance afterwards. You can see photos in our online album.
- Burns Supper 2013. Not to be deterred by the raging snowstorm outside, Aurora and friends gathered at Newmachar to commemorate Rabbie Burns. A selection of photos from the evening can be found in our Burns Supper album.
- Our 2012 Burns Supper in Newmachar was well supported and we were delighted to welcome new faces who came to join in the fun. Congratulations to the creative team who came up with such an imaginative approach to piping in the haggis!
- The Inter-Varsity Folk Dance Festival (IVFDF), the country’s longest continually running folk festival, came to Aberdeen in March 2012, when the Aurora Ceilidh Band provided the music for the Display Ceilidh. Full details are available on the IVFDF2012 website.
- Our dance writing competition in June 2008 attracted entries from ten Aurora members, who were inspired to create an impressive range of reels, jigs, strathspeys and medleys of an amazingly high standard. The dances submitted for the competition have now been published in the Aurora Second Book Scottish Country Dances, with copies now available from our online shop.
- Dancing workshops led by Aurora members featured in the programme for the North Atlantic Fiddle Convention 2006, which brought together musicians, dancers and singers from both sides of the Atlantic
- September 2003: “Aurora” took centre stage at launch of Aberdeen University’s archive of James Scott Skinner’s music and dances
- May 2003: Aurora took part in video recording for James Scott Skinner Archive project