Ardbrae Dancers of Ottawa
Video: Thank You Patricia
Thank You Patricia
Deb Lees , RSCDS Book 54
A 32-bar strathspey for three couples in a four-couple longwise set
1 – 4 1st couple set and dance a petronella turn. 2nd couple step up on bars 3 – 4.
5 – 6 1st and 2nd couples set, on bar 6 1st couple advancing to finish in a line across the dance, with 1st woman facing 2nd man and 1st man facing 2nd woman.
7 – 8 1st woman with 2nd man, and 1st man with 2nd woman, giving both hands, turn once round to finish with 1st woman facing her first corner and her partner behind her.
9 – 12 1st couple dance a half reel of three in tandem with lead change with first corners. 1st couple pass 2nd man by the right to begin. 1st man finishes facing partner’s second corner, with his partner behind him.
13 – 16 1st couple dance a half reel of three in tandem with lead change with second corners. 1st couple pass 3rd man by the right to begin. 1st couple finish in the middle of the set, facing up with nearer hands joined, 1st woman curving round to the right to finish on the right of her partner.
17 – 20 1st couple dance up and cast off to second place on own sides.
21 – 24 1st couple, giving right hands, turn once round, while 2nd and 3rd couples set and, giving right hands, turn halfway. All three couples finish in allemande hold.
25 – 32 3rd, 1st and 2nd couples dance an allemande.
Repeat, having passed a couple.
Devised by Deb Lees, RSCDS Newcastle-upon-Tyne & District Branch.
Patricia Cass played piano for the Newcastle Branch Scottish country dancing and Ladies Step classes, often working with Deb Lees as teacher. This dance was written by Deb in conjunction with other members of the Branch class, in appreciation of Patricia’s skill and commitment over many years.
The reels in the dance are a reference to the dance John Cass (RSCDS Book 49) which was written for Patricia’s husband. However, in Patricia’s dance, the woman leads the first tandem reel, reflecting Patricia’s strength as a dancer as well as a musician. Patricia played a key role in the development and
organisation of the Newcastle Festival, held in February each year.
As Deb frequently found herself saying, “Thank you Patricia!”
Video: Inchmickery
Inchmickery
Roy Goldring, RSCDS Book 53
A 32-bar jig for five couples in a five-couple longwise set.
1 – 8 1st and 2nd couples dance four hands round to the left. 1st couple dance in towards each other and then cast off two places (2nd and 3rd couples step up on bars 7 – 8).
9 – 16 1st couple dance right hands across, 1st woman with 3rd couple and 1st man with 4th couple, 1st couple pass by the right to dance left hands across with the other couple.
17 – 24 1st woman with 2nd man also 1st man with 5th woman, giving right hands, turn once round; 1st couple pass by the right; then 1st woman with 5th man also 1st man with 2nd woman, giving left hands, turn once round, 1st couple finishing in 3rd place.
25 – 32 1st couple dance in towards each other, then cast off two places (4th and 5th couples step up on bars 27 – 28), 1st and 5th couples dance four hands round to the right.
Finish in the order 2, 3, 4, 5, 1.
Repeat from new positions.
Devised by Roy Goldring, Leeds Branch, 2000. Reprinted by kind permission of Simon and Peter Goldring.
Video: Flowers of Edinburgh
Flowers of Edinburgh
RSCDS Book 1
32-bar reel for three couples in a four-couple longwise set
1 – 6 1st woman casts off two places, crosses to the opposite side and dances up behind 2nd and 3rd men to her partner’s original place. 1st man follows his partner, crossing over and dancing behind 2nd and 3rd women, and up the middle to his partner’s original place.
7 – 8 1st couple set to each other.
9 – 14 1st couple repeat bars 1-6, with 1st man casting off and 1st woman following. 1st couple finish in original places.
15 – 16 1st couple set to each other.
17 – 24 1st couple lead down the middle and up to finish facing each other in the middle of the set with both hands joined. 2nd couple step in.
25 – 32 1st and 2nd couples dance a poussette.
Repeat, having passed a couple.
Kate Hughes’ Dancing Book (MS), Dundalk 1867.
Original tune: Flowers of Edinburgh (Traditional)