In tonight’s class we will introduce a new step – Pas de Basque. We will be focusing on figures of eight as well. Should be a good class.

We will also be changing to format of the class and joining the intermediate class after the break. During the joint class we will repeat the dances taught.

Here are the dance descriptions. Both dances come from the new Secodn Graded Book of Dances published by the RSCDS Hope to see you out tonight

The Waratah Weaver
32-bar jig for four couples in a four-couple longwise set
RSCDS Second Book of Graded Scottish Country Dances

 Bars                         Description

1 – 8    1st couple dance a figure of eight on own sides, dancing in and down
        to begin and giving nearer hands on bars 1 and 5.

9 – 16        3rd couple dance a figure of eight on own sides, dancing in and up
        to begin and giving nearer hands on bars 9 and 13.

17 – 24    1st, 2nd and 3rd couples, giving right hands, turn once round and,
        giving left hands , turn once round to places.

25 – 28    1st couple, with both hands joined, slip down the middle with four slip
        steps and back up the middle with four slip steps to finish in the middle
        at first place facing up.

29 – 32    1st couple cast off to the foot of the set.
        2nd, 3rd and 4th couples step up on bars 31-32.

        Repeat with a new top couple.

Another Woodland Wander
32-bar jig for four couples in a four-couple longwise set
RSCDS Second Book of Graded Scottish Country Dances

 Bars                         Description

1 – 4        1st and 2nd couples set twice.

5 – 8        1st and 2nd couples dance right hands across.

9 – 12        1st and 2nd couples set twice.

13 – 16    1st and 2nd couples dance four hands round to the left.

17 – 20    1st couple, giving right hand, cross over and cast off one place.
        2nd couple step up on bars 19-20.

21 – 24    1st couple, giving left hand, cross over and cast off two places.
        3rd and 4th couples step up on bars 23-24.

25 – 32    2nd, 3rd, 4th and 1st couples, giving right hands, turn once round
        and then repeat giving left hands.

        Repeat with a new top couple.

Tonight’s class promises to be a good one. We have one of the guest teachers, David Queen, from the workshop this past weekend teaching one dance. Here are the dances we plan to cover.

Highland Fair, 32J2
1 – 8    First couple cast off and dance down behind own line for 4 skip change of step, turn outwards and dance four steps back to place.
9 – 16    First and second couples turn partner with right hand and return to place – 4 skip change of step, then repeat, giving left hand.
17 – 24    First couple, followed by second couple, lead down the middle for 4 skip change of step. Second couple, followed by first couple, lead up the middle to finish second couple at top and first couple in second place.  (Figs. 1 and 2.)
25 – 32    First and second couples dance right and left.
Repeat, having passed a couple.

A Wee Nothin’
32 Bar jig for 2 couples
1 – 8    1st and 2nd couples dance Right Hands across and Left Hands back to place.
9 – 14    1st Lady followed by the 2nd Lady dance across the top of the set, behind the men’s line, 1st Lady dances below the 2nd man, and 2nd Lady dances between the two men, and across to their own side, both pull LEFT shoulders back.
15 – 16    1st and 2nd ladies join hands and Set.  (Men do not set back)
17 – 22    1st Man followed by the 2nd Man dance across the top of the set, behind the ladies’ line, 1st Man dances below the 2nd lady’s position, 2nd Man dances between the two ladies, and across to their own side, both pull RIGHT shoulders back.
23 – 24    1st and 2nd Men join hands and Set.  (Ladies do not set back)
25 – 32    2nd and 1st couples dance Rights and Lefts.

Devised by Elaine Brunken as a wee warm up dance.
Note:  Please include the polite turns at the end of Rights and Lefts, prior to entry to the wheels.
Suggested tune:  Miss Hannah of Elgin

Ceilidh Madness
A 32 bar reel for 4 couples
Sara Harriman, Let’s All Dance, Too

1-8      1st woman, followed by 2nd and 3rd woman, dance across the set, down behind 1st, 2nd and 3rd men, across to the women’s side and return to places
9-16    Men repeat around the women, 1st man leading
17-20  With both hands joined, 1st couple slip down and back to the top
21-24  1st couple cast off to 4th place. 2nd, 3rd and 4th couples step up on bars 7-8 of the phrase
25-32   All circle 8 hands round and back

I hope to see you in class tonight! Guaranteed to be fun!

Welcome new dancers to the Ardbrae introductory class.

The class will run from 7:30-9:30 at the Glashan Public School, 28 Arlington Avenue. Use the entrance in the south east corner of the school.

Tonight we will cover the following dances
The “Atholl” Reel
A 32 bar reel for 2 couples
John Trew, LAD

1-4     1st man and 2nd woman advance toward each other (2 steps) and retire (2 steps).
5-8    1st woman and 2nd man advance toward each other (2 steps) and retire (2 steps).
9-16    1st and 2nd couples dance clockwise round in a square formation (2 bars to each side)
17-24    1st couple followed by 2nd couple lead down the middle and 2nd couple lead up to finish 2nd couple in 1st place and 1st couple in 2nd place
25-32    2nd and 1st couples dance rights and lefts

The Glen       
(32 J 2C), Susie Langdon Kass, Let’s All Dance,
1 – 8    1C & 2C dance RH across & LH across back to place
9 – 16    1C & 2C turn partners RH then LH
17 – 24    1C lead down middle & up to 2nd place (2C step up on 17-18)
25 – 32    2C & 1C dance 4-H round and back.

ANTARCTICA BOUND
(J4x32)  4C Set     R Goldring  Scotia Suite
 1- 8    1s+2s cross RH, cast down 2 places, cross RH & cast up to places
 9-16    3s+4s cross RH, cast up 2 places, cross RH & cast back to places
17-24    1s+4s Adv+Ret (diagonally), 1s cast bottom as others step up
25-32    All circle 8H round & back

Hope to see you out tonight

I would like to welcome people to try the Scottish Country Dancing with the Ardbrae Dancers of Ottawa www.ardbrae.org

This blog will be used to post information on what will be covered in the class. I will also try to post links to resources online.

Happy Dancing