Category Archives: Ardbrae 2019

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Dances for September 17, 2019

No Video

Lady Spencer’s Wedding

32-bar strathspey for four couples in a four-couple longwise set

Bars Description

1 – 8 1st couple cast off and dance down behind their own lines, meet below 3rd couple and, joining nearer hands, dance back up to the top and cast off to second place. 2nd couple step up on bars 7-8.

9 – 16 2nd and 1st couples dance a non-progressive knot (or “slip knot”), 2nd couple finishing back in first place and 1st couple finishing in the middle of the set, nearer hands joined, facing 2nd woman, 1st woman on her partner’s right.

A non-progressive knot is danced as follows:
Bars 1-6 are danced as in a standard knot; on bars 7-8, instead of partners turning with the left hand to finish in progressed places, both couples dance left hands across halfway round to finish in their original order. (In this particular dance, 2nd couple finishes in first place, but 1st couple finishes in the middle of the set, as explained above.)

17 – 24 1st couple set to 2nd woman and, turning towards one another, face 3rd man. They set to 3rd man and turning to their left face 3rd woman. They set to 3rd woman and turning towards one another face 2nd man. They set to 2nd man and on bar 24, 1st man pulls back right shoulder to face his partner while 1st woman dances a long setting step to her left to finish ready for a half poussette. 3rd couple dance in on bar 24 ready for…

25 – 28 1st and 3rd couples dance a half poussette. 3rd couple finish on the sidelines while 1st couple dance a slow turn in the middle of the set on bars 27-28 and remain in the middle as 4th couple dance in on bar 28 ready for…

29 – 32 1st and 4th couples dance a half poussette.

Repeat from new positions.

Devised by Elaine Hoag and Michael Hoffman in 2001 to celebrate the marriage of Ardbrae members, Michael Hoffman and Rosalind Spencer, and presented by Michael to Rosalind.

Legend:
Bars 1-8 Courtship; meeting of minds, hearts and hands; walking up the aisle
Bars 9-16 Tying the knot in a nautical fashion (the bride and groom are both very fond of sailing)
Bars 17-24 Greeting guests at the reception
Bars 25-32 Dancing at the reception

Note: The non-progressive knot in bars 9-16 was devised by Mel and Ellie Briscoe in 1990 and is described in the dance, ‘Ellie’s Jig’, published in The Slip Knot Collection of Scottish Country Dances devised by Melbourne G. Briscoe.

Video: Hooper’s Jig

Hooper’s Jig
Miss Milligan’s Miscellany of Scottish Country Dances
32-bar jig for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

1 – 4 All clap and 1st couple, passing right shoulders, cross over and cast off one place on opposite sides. 2nd couple step up on bars 3-4.

5 – 8 1st and 3rd couples dance right hands across once round.

9 – 12 All clap and 1st couple, passing by the right, cross over and cast up to original places. 2nd couple step down on bars 11-12.

13 – 16 1st and 2nd couples dance left hands across once round.

17 – 18 1st man and 3rd woman, giving right hands, change places.

19 – 20 1st woman and 3rd man, giving right hands, change places, while 1st man and 3rd woman dance round ready to cross back.

21 – 22 1st man and 3rd woman, giving right hands, change places and 1st man faces out. At the same time, 1st woman and 3rd man dance round ready to cross back.

23 – 24 1st woman and 3rd man, giving left hands, cross over with 3rd man guiding 1st woman into second place while 1st man casts off to second place. 2nd couple step up.

25 – 32 2nd and 1st couples dance rights and lefts.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Rutherford, D: Compleat collection of 200 of the most celebrated country dances, both old and new, c. 1756, London
Customary tune: Peter’s Peerie Boat (Tom Anderson)

Video: Mairi’s Wedding

Mairi’s Wedding
TWENTY-TWO SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCES by James B. Cosh and TWO OTHERS
40R 3C (4C Set)

(N.B. Dancing couple passing left shoulder in centre.)

1 – 4 First couple turn with right hand and cast one place on own side.
(Second couple move up.)

5 – 8 Then turn with left hand to corners.

9 – 12 First couple dance half reel of four with first corners.
(The corners changing places.)

13 – 16 First couple dance half reel of four with second corners.

17 – 20 First couple dance half reel of four with first corners,
(Who are now on the other side.)

21 – 24 First couple dance half reel of four with second corners.

25 – 32 Reels of three across, the woman with second couple and the man
with third couple.

33 – 40 Six hands round and back.


Fig. 1 shows pattern danced by first woman. Fig. 2 shows pattern danced by first man.

Dances for May 6, 2019

Video: Old and Dangerous

Old and Dangerous
San Andreas Collection
32 bar strathspey for 2 couples in a 4-couple

1-4 1st & 2nd couples set, 1st woman cast down, 2nd man cast up as 1st man and 2nd woman pass LEFT shoulders to face partners on the 1st corner diagonal

5-8 1st & 2nd couples dance half reel of four

9-16 Revolving chain:

Bar 1 1st and 2nd couples turn partner with RIGHT hand half way
Bar 2 1st woman and 2nd man turn LEFT hand as 1st man and 2nd woman travel 1/8 on outside (line is up and down the set)
Bars 3-6 Repeat bars 1-2 twice more (end of bar 4 – line is on 2nd corner diagonal; end of Bar 6 – line is across the set)
Bars 7-8 Men turn with RIGHT hands ¾ to progressed positions while women do the same, 1st man and 2nd woman remain facing out

17-24 1st man cast up and 2nd woman cast down, dance back to back and set while: 1st woman & 2nd man dance back to back, then set twice advancing, passing retiring 2nd woman and 1st man respectively, then passing each other to face partner, still on the diagonal

25-32 1st & 2nd couples turn partner two hands once round (2 bars), half poussette (4 bars), and set (2 bars)

Repeat having passed a couple

Devisor: Gary Thomas, 2007
Music: “Old and Dangerous” by Gary Thomas

The dance is named after the windows in the building where we practice. There are signs that
say not to use them as they are “old and dangerous”. Sometimes we feel the same way.

Video: Catch the Wind

CATCH THE WIND
Book 45. No. 5
(Hornpipe)

1–4 1st couple set and cast off one place. 2nd couple step up on bars 3 – 4.

5–8 1st couple dance a half figure of eight round 2nd couple.

9–12 1st couple set twice. On bars 11-12, 1st woman pulls back right shoulder to finish facing out.

13–16 1st woman casts up round 2nd man and dances down to finish between 3rd couple facing 3rd man while 1st man dances across the set and casts up round 2nd man to finish between 2nd couple facing 2nd man.

17–24 1st man dances a reel of three with 2nd couple passing 2nd man by the right shoulder to begin while 1st woman dances a reel of three with 3rd couple passing 3rd man by the right shoulder to begin.

25–28 1st woman casts up round 3rd man and dances across the set to finish in second place on own side while 1st man dances down the middle and casts up round 3rd man to finish in second place on own side.

29–32 1st couple turn with the right hand once round.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Devised by Romaine Butterfield, RSCDS New Zealand Branch and originally published by that branch in Island Bay Collection (1983). The dance was devised for Noeline O’Connor and Iain Boyd and the name refers to the fact that Iain courted Noeline for some time.

Tune: The Navvie, Traditional

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TACNotes:’
Bars 25-28 1st woman must lengthen her steps to reach 2nd place, own side, pulling back R shoulder to flow into bar 29.

Dances for April 29, 2019

Video: Angus MacLeod

ANGUS MacLEOD
(Reel)

1 – 2 2nd and 3rd couples dance into the centre of the set with two skip-change and face diagonally in.

3 – 4 They set, turning right about on the second step to face the corners of the set, men facing men, women facing women. 2nd and 3rd couples are hereafter referred to as “centres,” 1st and 4th couples as “corners.”

5 – 6 Passing right shoulder with two skip-change, centres change places with their corners, who face diagonally in.

7 – 8 All set, corners turning right about.

9 – 10 Passing right shoulder again, corners dance out and centres dance in to face diagonally in.

11 – 12 All set, centres turning right about, and

13 – 16 Centres turn their corners by the right hand once round and

17 – 20 Dance left hands across once round, finishing facing their corners again.

21 – 32 Double diagonal reels of four: to begin, centres pass their corners right shoulder. As the dancers pass in the middle they give left hands across for two steps, half round. Corners finish in their original places, but

33 – 34 Centres, giving left hand to partner, change places (2nd woman and 3rd man doing a “polite” turn) to finish back to back in the middle of the set, facing their partner’s original corner.

35 – 36 All set.

37 – 40 Each turns the person he is facing by one hand so that centre couples begin by going between corner couples (left hand for 2nd woman and 1st man, 3rd man and 4th woman: right hand for 2nd man and 1st woman, 3rd woman and 4th man).

41 – 48 Centres, facing diagonally in, set, with two pas de basque and four points, twice.

49 – 52 Centres dance between corner couples and cast into the middle again, facing diagonally in, and

53 – 56 Set, with two pas de basque and four points, once.

57 – 64 With 3rd couple making an arch and 2nd dancing under it, 2nd dance down and, together, cast up round 4th woman and dance up the middle to the top of the set, while 3rd couple dance up and, together, cast off round 1st man and dance down the middle to the bottom of the set, After casting, 2nd man and 3rd woman pass left shoulder. On 63-64 1st couple move down and 4th move up.

Repeat once more with new centres and new corners.

Dance devised by Alex. T. Queen, of the R. S. C. D. S., Southport Branch, Pipe Major Clan MacLeod Band.
COPYRIGHT, 1969, HUGH FOSS.

Video: MacDonald of the Isles

MacDONALD OF THE ISLES
The Second Carnforth Collection of Scottish Country Dances devised by Derek Haynes.
Strathspey for three-couple sets

1 – 8 2nd couple dance a diagonal reel of four with first corners. On bar 8 2nd couple dance left shoulder around each other to face second corners, ready to dance into a –

9 – 16 Diagonal reel of four with second corners. All finish on the side lines with 1st woman and 3rd man looping round by their right on bar 16.

HORSESHOE CHAIN aka PICK-UP or SNOWBALL CHAIN

17 – 18 1st couple cross over giving right hands.

19 – 20 1st and 2nd couples change places giving left hands.

21 – 22 2nd couple cross over while 1st and 3rd couples change places on the sides, all giving right hands.

23 – 24 2nd and 3rd couples change places on the sides as 1st couple cross to own sides, all giving left hands.

25 – 28 3rd and 2nd couples dance half rights and lefts.

29 – 32 Half figures of eight: 3rd woman crosses down then casts up around 1st woman and 3rd man crosses up then cast off round 2nd man.

Repeat from new places.

Tune: The Smith’s a Gallant Fireman.
Recorded on Alastair Hunter’s Lorne Choice, DACD 9716 and also on Deirdre Adamson’s
Come Scottish Country Dancing, DACD 9614.

First published on a Glendarroch S.C.D. Sheet in 1966.

Dances for April 15, 2019

Video: Pelorus Jack

Pelorus Jack
Book 41 – No. 1

1 – 4 1st couple, giving right hands, cross over and cast off to second place. 2nd couple step up on bars 3 – 4.

5 – 8 1st and 3rd couples dance right hands across to finish with 1st man facing his first corner and his partner behind him ready for a tandem reel.

9 – 12 1st couple, in tandem, dance a half reel with first corners as follows: 1st man, followed by his partner, passes right shoulder with 3rd woman then 1st couple each turn about by the right in corner position to change direction. 1st woman, followed by her partner, passes right shoulder with 2nd man to finish facing 1st man’s second corner (2nd woman).

13 – 16 1st couple, in tandem, dance a half reel with second corners as follows: 1st woman, followed by her partner, passes right shoulder with 2nd woman then 1st couple each turn about by the right in corner position to change direction. 1st man, followed by his partner, passes right shoulder with 3rd man to finish facing 1st woman’s first corner position (3rd woman).

17 – 20 1st couple, in tandem, dance a half reel with first corners as follows: 1st man, followed by his partner, passes right shoulders with 3rd woman then 1st couple each turn about by the right in corner position to change direction. 1st woman, followed by her partner, passes right shoulder with 2nd man to finish facing the 1st woman’s second corner position (2nd woman).

21 – 24 1st couple, in tandem, dance a half reel with second corners as follows: 1st woman, followed by her partner, passes right shoulder with 2nd woman then 1st couple each turn about by the right in corner position to change direction. 1st man, followed by his partner, passes right shoulder with 3rd man to finish in the middle of the set facing the women’s side.

25 – 32 2nd and 1st couples dance left hands across. 1st couple, retaining left hands, dance a half turn to finish in second place on their own side. 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples, joining nearer hands, set.

    Repeat, having passed a couple.

Pelorus Jack (named after Pelorus Sound in Marlborough) was a famous dolphin who piloted ships through Cook Strait for some 24 years (from 1888 to 1912). Although protected by an Act of Parliament in 1904, the dolphin disappeared after four Norwegian whaling ships passed through the Strait.

Devised by Barry Skelton, New Zealand, 1993.

Tune: Christian Catto (Copyright Deeay Music).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TACNotes:’
9–24 In each half reel the leading dancer dances beyond the corner position in order to loop together.

Video: Cherrybank Gardens

CHERRYBANK GARDENS
THE BANKHEAD BOOK, Part 1, Scottish Country Dances by JOHN DREWRY
December 1991
for Betty Keir of Perth to be used in promoting the “Tourist Trail”

Strathspey – 3-couple set – 32 bars

Tune – “Calluna” by J. Berry

1 – 4 1st and 2nd women and 1st and 2nd men, joining nearer hands, set and then “petronella in tandem” to finish facing down and up.

5 – 8 1st and 2nd women and 1st and 2nd men, joining nearer hands, set facing down and up and then “petronella in tandem” to finish on opposite sides in the order 2, 1.

9 – 12 2nd and 1st couples, joining nearer hands, set on opposite sides and then 2nd couple cross over giving right hands, while 1st couple cross over giving left hands.

13 – 16 1st woman dances right hands across with 2nd couple, while 1st man dances right hands across with 3rd couple. 1st couple finish in second place on own sides.

17 – 20 1st and 3rd couples, joining nearer hands on the sides, set and “link” to change places.

21 – 24 3rd and 1st couples dance four hands round to the left to finish with 3rd couple facing down and 1st couple facing up.

25 – 32 2nd, 3rd and 1st couples dance a grand chain.

    Repeat with a new top couple.

Dances for April 8, 2019

Video: Les Remparts de Sév111e

Les Remparts de Sév111e
RSCDS Book 51
32-bar jig for three couples in a four—couple longwise set

1 – 4 1st couple set and cast off one place. 2nd couple step up on bars 3 – 4.

5 – 8 1st woman dances a half figure of eight round 2nd couple; 1st man dances a half figure of eight round 3rd couple.

9 – 10 1st couple, giving left hands, turn to face first corners.

11 – 16 1st couple set to first corners, set to partner across the dance, set to second corners and finish 1stman between 2nd couple facing down and 1stwoman between 3rd couple facing up. (Note.)

17 – 20 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples set and link.

21 – 24 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples set and, giving right hands, cross over.

25 – 32 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance six hands round and back.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Note: Bars 11 – 16 are the same as bars 1 – 6 of the formation set to corners and partner.

Devised by Aliénor Latour, Paris Branch, March 2014.

In Act 1 0f Bizet’s opera ”Carmen” the heroine asks to meet her lover at a tavern by Seville’s City walls (Les Remparts). The dance was written in Seville, Spain.

No Video: Sorry

A Toast to Portland

David G. Queen 2012
32 Bar Strathspey for 3 Couples

1 – 6 All 3 couples set and dance half a turn with the right hand, face partner and cast away pulling back the right shoulder, onto the opposites side.

7 – 8 All 3 couples chase clockwise for 2 bars to finish in lines of 3 across the dance with the men at the bottom and the ladies at the top.

9 – 16 All 3 couples dance six hands round and back finishing in lines of 3 across the dance.

17 – 22 All 3 couples set and dance half a turn with the right hand, face partner and cast away pulling back the right shoulder to finish in lines of 3 across the dance with the men at the top and the ladies at the bottom.

23 – 24 All 3 couples chase clockwise for 2 bars to on the opposite sides in the order 3, 2, 1.

25 – 28 2nd and 3rd couples dance half rights and lefts.

29 – 32 1st couple dance half a figure of 8 around the 2nd couple giving right hands as they cross up to finish at the bottom on own sides.

This dance was devised to accompany a tune written by Deby Benton Grosjean dedicated to the staff of TAC 2012

Dances for April 1, 2019

Video: The Bon Viveur

The Bon Viveur
RSCDS Book 523
Medley of 2 x 32-bar strathspey and 2 x 32-bar reel
for four couples in a square set

1 – 8 All dance eight hands round and back.

9 – 16 1st and 3rd couples dance a men’s chain. All four women face out at the end of bar 16.

17 – 28 All dance twelve bars of a Schiehallion reel:

17 – 18 Men, passing left shoulders in the middle, dance to the place of the woman diagonally to their right while women dance a loop to their right into their partner’s place.

19 – 20 Women, passing left shoulders in the middle, dance to the woman’s place diagonally to their right while men dance a loop to their right into the man’s place.

21 – 28 Repeat bars 17—20 twice, finishing one place clockwise from original places.

29 – 32 All four couples, giving right hands, turn once round (or birl in quick time).

Repeat in strathspey time from new positions, finishing opposite original
places. Repeat twice more in reel time, finishing in original places.

Devised by Ian Brockbank, RSCDS Edinburgh Branch, December 2015.

Written for Stewart Adam in recognition of his award of the RSCDS Scroll of Honour at the AGM in Perth in November 2015. Stewart has served as Chairman of RSCDS Edinburgh Branch, Dunedin Dancers and the RSCDS. Along with his wife Chris, he is a most sociable dancer and after dancing he can usually be found near the bar in a jovial group — a true ”bon viveur”.

Video: Summer on the Beach

Summer on the Beach
RSCDS Book 51
32-bar reel for four couples in a four – couple longwise set

1 – 4 1st and 2nd couples, also 3rd and 4th couples, dance right hands across once round.

5 – 8 2nd and 3rd couples dance left hands across once round.

9 – 12 All four women, joining nearer hands, advance and retire, while all four men, joining nearer hands, set twice on the sideline.

13 – 16 All four men, retaining nearer hands, advance and retire, While all four women, retaining nearer hands, set twice on the sideline.

17 – 24 1st couple, followed by 2nd, 3rd and 4th couples, Who dance up the sides to begin, dance down the middle and cast up to original places.

25 – 28 1st couple dance down the middle and curve the long way into fourth place. 2nd, 3rd and 4th couples step up on bars 27—28.

29 – 32 All four couples turn with the right hand once round.

Repeat With a new top couple. 4

Devised by Helena Strandberg Luthi, Gothenburg Branch, June 2012.

The deviser explains: “This dance was devised for Laura in my children’s class in Ghent,
Belgium. She was nine years old at the time and, although a very enthusiastic dancer, was
looking forward to her summer holiday at the seaside.

Bars 1—8 represent the parasols being set up on the beach; bars 9—16 represent the Children
jumping over the waves that roll onto the beach; bars 17—24 represent the children diving into
the water and swimming hack to the shore; and bars 25—32 represent the children playing with
their kites. ”

Dances for March 25, 2019

Video: Follow Me Home

Video: Follow Me Home

Follow Me Home
Book 38 – No. 3

32-bar jig for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

1 – 8 1st couple set and, giving right hands, cross over and cast off one place on opposite sides. 1st couple, giving left hands, turn to join right hands with first corners in balance in line position. 2nd couple step up on bars 5-6.

9 – 10 1st couple and first corners balance in line.

11 – 16 Releasing left hands with partner, 1st couple turn first corners halfway. 1st couple, followed closely by first corners, dance clockwise halfway round the set, passing behind second corners. 1st couple dance in to join right hands with partner and left hands with second corners. 3rd woman finishes in 1st man’s place and 2nd man finishes in 3rd woman’s place.

17 – 18 1st couple and second corners balance in line.

19 – 24 Releasing left hands with partner, 1st couple turn second corners halfway. 1st couple, followed closely by second corners, dance anticlockwise halfway round the set, passing behind 1st corners. 1st couple pass each other by the left to finish in second place on opposite sides facing out. 3rd man finishes in 1st woman’s place and 2nd woman finishes in 3rd man’s place. All are on opposite sides in the order 3, 1, 2.

25 – 28 3rd , 1st and 2nd couples dance half reels of three on the sides, 3rd and 1st men and 1st and 2nd women passing by the left to begin.

29 – 32 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples set and, giving right hands to partners, cross over.

    Repeat, having passed a couple.

Devised by Ellie Briscoe, Alexandria, Virginia.

Original tune: Miss Catherine Stewart, Pettyvaich (William Marshall)

The Manual of Scottish Country Dancing:
Bars 11-16      The half turns should be completed in one bar to ensure the corners finish in new place. Similarly for bars 19-24.

TACNotes:’
11-16 1st cpl half turn corners, on bar 11, & release hands. Corners follow closely without going back through corner position.
19-24 Bar 19 as well as bar 11 above.

Video: The Dream Catcher

The Dream Catcher
RSCDS, Book 45
(96-bar Strathspey for four couples in a square set)

Bars Description
Part 1
1 – 8 All dance eight hands round and back.

9 – 16 The swirl

9 – 10      1st and 3rd couples turn partners with the right hand once round to finish in                       allemande hold facing across the set.

11 – 12     1st and 3rd couples dance round each other half way, men passing left   shoulders, 
        to finish in the middle of the set. On bar 12, 1st and 3rd couples release right hands 
        and retain left hands.

13 – 16    1st and 3rd couples dance left hands across. On bar 16 they dance in and, pulling back 
        left shoulder, dance on to finish back to back with partner facing the side couples. 
       1st woman and 3rd man face 2nd couple, 3rd woman and 1st man face 4th couple. [Fig.]

17 – 24 All dance reels of four across the dance, passing right shoulders to begin.

25 – 26 All set.

27 – 32 1st man with 3rd woman, 3rd man with 1st woman, retaining nearer hands, dance out between
the 4th and 2nd couples respectively, cross and cast to places then, giving right hands, change
places with partners.

    Part 2

1 – 4 All four couples, joining nearer hands with partners, set then advance to join hands in a circle in the middle.

5 – 8 Releasing partners’ hands and retaining nearer hands with corners, all retire on the diagonal and set.

9 – 16 1st woman and 4th man, 2nd man and 3rd woman dance rights and lefts. To begin, 1st woman gives right hand to 2nd man and 4th man gives right hands to 3rd woman.

17 – 24 1st man and 2nd woman, 4th woman and 3rd man dance rights and lefts. To begin, 1st man gives right hand to 4th woman and 2nd woman gives right hand to 3rd man.

25 – 28 All four couples, joining nearer hands with corners, set then advance to join hands in a circle in the middle.

29 – 32 Releasing corners’ hands and retaining nearer hands with partners, all retire to original places and set.

    Part 3

1 – 8 2nd and 4th couples repeat bars 9-16 of Part 1.

9 – 16 All dance reels of four up and down the dance, passing right shoulders to begin.

17 – 18 All set.

19 – 24 2nd man with 4th woman, 4th man with 2nd woman, retaining nearer hands, dance out between
the 1st and 3rd couples respectively, cross and cast to places then, giving right hands, change places with partners.

25 – 32 All dance eight hands round and back.

Devised by Eileen Orr, RSCDS Royal Tunbridge Wells Branch and first published by that branch in the Silver Anniversary Book of Dances (2001). The swirl was devised by Alex Gray of South Wales Branch and first introduced in two dances published by Edinburgh Branch in Edinburgh Diamond Jubilee Dances 1984.

The dream catcher is like a spider’s web, decorated with beads, semi-precious stones, feathers and strips of leather. Native North Americans believe that good and bad dreams come from the night sky and that bad dreams are trapped in the web, allowing only good dreams to get through. The bad dreams then evaporate in the rays of the early morning sun.

Note:
The RSCDS Technique Committee has provided the following additional information:

Bars 9-10 1st & 3rd couples dance a complete turn RH, finishing in allemande hold, facing into the set.

Bars 11-12 1st & 3rd couples dance half way round each other, men passing left shoulder, to finish in the middle of the set, facing towards their original places (1st couple facing 1st couple’s place), – during bar 12 all release RH and join up LH in the middle.

Bars 13-15 1st & 3rd couples dance LH across, nearly once round (more than ¾).

Bar 16 1st & 3rd couples release LH and all pull back L Sh to turn completely round, moving slightly forward, (a “pirouette” movement), to finish ready for the reels of 4 across, 1st & 3rd couples are back to back with partner, 1M facing 4L, 1L facing 2M.

In practice the LH across is virtually all the way round and the pirouette is then almost on the spot.

Note: Although we have referred to it as a “pirouette”, a small travelling step is used to turn round.

Dances for March 18, 2019

Video: The Zoologist

The Zoologist
RSCDS Book 46
32-bar jig for three couples in a four couple longwise set

1 – 4 1st couple, giving right hands, cross down and dance out between 2nd and 3rd couples. 1st woman casts up to finish between 2nd couple facing 2nd woman, 1st man casts down to finish between 3rd couple facing 3rd man. 2nd couple step up on bars 1-2.

5 – 8 1st woman and 2nd couple, 1st man and 3rd couple dance half reels of three across the set. To begin, 1st and 2nd women, 1st and 3rd men pass by the left and 1st couple finish facing first corner positions.

9 – 12 2nd woman, 1st couple and 3rd man dance a half reel of four on the first corner diagonal. On bar 12, 1st couple pass by the right to face second corner positions.

13 – 16 2nd man, 1st couple and 3rd woman dance a half reel of four on the second corner diagonal. On bar 16, 1st couple pull back by the right to finish back to back in the middle in second place facing opposite sides.

17 – 24 3rd, 1st and 2nd couples dance double triangles. On bars 23-24, 1st couple pull back by the right to finish right shoulder to right shoulder in the middle of the set facing opposite sides.

25 – 28 1st man and 3rd couple, 1st woman and 2nd couple dance left hands across once round. 1st couple finish right shoulder to right shoulder in the middle of the set.

29 – 32 1st man, followed by 3rd man and 3rd woman, dances down the women’s side of the set, across at third place and up to second place on own side. 3rd couple finish in original places.
At the same time, 1st woman, followed by 2nd woman and 2nd man, dances up the men’s side, across at first place and down to second place on own side. 2nd couple finish in first place on own sides.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Devised by Duncan Brown, Exeter.

Note: Bars 29 — 32 are a variation on a movement devised by Norman Churnside.

In memory of the late Professor Ian Linn, a past Chairman of Exeter Branch.

RSCDS Notes
28 2nd and 3rd couples do not return to sidelines but retain the circular shape of the left hands across.
29 – 32 1st couple are followed by the couples with whom they danced left hands across.

Video: City of Belfast

City of Belfast

32-bar Strathspey for three couples in a three-couple set

1 – 4 1st couple dance a half figure of eight round 2nd couple to finish in partner’s place.

5 – 8 1st man and 2nd woman with left hands, 1st woman and 2nd man with right hands, turn one and a quarter times to finish with 1st couple in the middle back to back, 1st man facing 2nd woman, 1st woman facing 2nd man.

9 – 16 1st and 2nd couples dance a reel of four across the dance in second place, 2nd couple finish in first place and 1st couple passing left shoulders, face 1st corners.

17 – 20 1st couple set to first corners, set to second corners and pulling back right shoulders, finish on the opposite side between corners.

21 – 24 All three couples join hands and set, 1st couple cross giving right hands to finish in second place on own side.

25 – 32 1st and 3rd couples dance the Espagnole. Finish in order 2,3,1.

The Espagnole (devised by John Drewry)

Bars
1 – 2 1st and 3rd women, joining right hands, dance towards the men’s side. On the second step, 1st woman crosses 3rd woman in front of her so that 3rd woman dances out and up towards second place while 1st woman dances out and down towards third place. Meanwhile 1st and 3rd men dance across to the women’s side passing on the outside of their partners.

3 – 4 1st and 3rd men joining right hands, dance back towards their own side passing between their partners. On the fourth step 1st man crosses 3rd man over in front of him so that 3rd man dances out and up towards second place while 1st man dances out and down towards third place. Meanwhile 3rd and 1st women cross back to their own side passing on the outside of their partners.

5 – 8 3rd couple turn with the right hand while 1st couple turn with the left hand.

Original Tune composed by Marian Anderson
Dance devised by Lucy Mulholland

Dances for March 11, 2019

Video: The Black Leather Jig

The Black Leather Jig
Delaware Valley Silver
32 Bar Reel for 3 Couples

1 – 8 1st couple set, turn once round by the right, cast off one place, and turn by the left three quarters to finish with 1st woman facing 3rd woman and 1st man facing 2nd man. 2nd couple step up on bars 5-6.

9 – 16 1st couple dance reels of three across the dance, giving left shoulder to the dancer they face. At the end of the reels, 1st couple turn quickly by the left hand to finish 1st woman facing 2nd man and 1st man facing 3rd woman. Supporting couples dance wide, slow reels across the dance, finishing in original places.

17 – 24 1st couple repeat the same left shoulder reels across the dance as in bars 9-16, 1st woman dancing with the 2nd couple and 1st man dancing with the 3rd couple. At the end of the reels, 1st couple pass right shoulders to finish facing first corners. Supporting couples dance continuously from the first reel to the second.

25 – 32 1st couple dance Hello-Goodbye setting with turns:

25-26 1st couple set to first corners, pulling right shoulder back to finish on opposite sides in second place.
27-28 1st couple turn by the right three quarters to face second corners.
29-32 Repeat bars 25-28 with second corners, finishing on own sides in second place.

Repeat having passed a couple.
Devised by Geoffrey Selling of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Inscribed to Heather Petit and Will Hurd on the announcement of their engagement, December 14, 1991. The title, which puns on the name White Heather Jig, refers to the black leather kilts, jackets and boots which Heather and Will are known to wear to Scottish dance events. Though called a jig, the dance is intended to be a reel.

Suggested Music: “Sleepy Maggie,” from RSCDS Bk. 11 recording, by Alastair Hunter and the Lorne Scottish Dance Band

Video: The Scallywag

Video: The Scallywag

The Scallywag
RSCDS Book 51
40-bar jig for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

1 – 4 1st couple dance in towards each other almost to touch shoulders and cast off one place. 2nd couple step up on bars 3 – 4.

5 – 8 1st couple, giving left hands, turn one and a quarter times to face first corners.

9 – 12 1st couple set to first corners and, giving right hands, turn to finish 1st woman facing 2nd woman and 1st man facing 3rd man.

13 – 16 All dance half reels of three across the set, passing left shoulders to begin and finishing in lines of three facing up and down the set.

17 – 20 Taking hands, all advance and retire.

21 – 24 1st couple dance round each other by the right shoulder to finish facing third corners (second corner person in partner’s first corner position).

25 – 32 Repeat bars 9 – 16 from new positions. 2nd and 3rd couples finish the half reels of three on own sides facing in, while 1st couple finish facing each other up and down the set.

33 – 34 1st couple set advancing and take right hands.

35 – 36 1st woman turns under her partner’s right arm while setting (pulling back her right shoulder) as 1st man sets moving slightly towards the women’s side. They finish side by side in the middle of the set, facing up, 1st woman on her partner’s left, retaining right hands.

37 – 40 1st couple lead up, cross over above 2nd couple, and cast off to second place on own sides.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

On the last two bars of the second time through, 1st coup1e cast to the bottom of the set.

Devised by Jennifer P Kelly, RSCDS San Francisco Branch, February 1997.

An appropriately flirtatious dance devised to honour Mikkel Thompson on reaching his half century.

Dances for March 4, 2019

Video: No Video

THE LASS AND THE LAIRD

A three couple 32 bar Jig by Rod Downey from his booklet entitled “They Stole My Wife from Me Last Night: 25 Scottish Country Dances Both Social and Advanced” (2017)

1-8 Reels of three on the side, first couple crossing through second couples
place, second couple dancing out and up and third couple in and up.

9-16 Reels of three on the side, first couple returning to own side by crossing
through second place. At the end of the reels, the first couple and second
couple accelerate so that the second couple finishes in first place and the
first crossing down to second place on opposite sides and face out, as if
they were dancing the first two bars of another of these crossing reels.

17-24 First couple cast lady up and man down around their first corners, dance
towards each other up and down the set, lady between the second couple
down and man between the third couple up to finish in the middle of the
set, then pulling back their right shoulders dance back the way they have
come (man down and lady up) to cast around their partner’s second corner
to finish in second place on own sides. (This movement is most effective
if the dancing couple make it as round as possible, so that the dancing
up/down is more of a loop, and hence at the end of bar 20 the dancing
couple would be more left shoulder to left shoulder than fact to face.)

25-28 First couple dance back to back.

29-32 First couple dance with nearer hands up between the second couple and
cast off into second place on own sides.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Devised 3 June 2009. I have taught exactly this dance many times as my
misreading of Jack McConachie’s dance The Laird and the Lass. The first 16
bars are quite different than Jack’s and rather easier. Philippa Pointon pointed
out my error and my wife Kristin suggested that the new dance be archived.
The name chosen reflects the influence of Jack’s dance. I also follow his musical
suggestions of ”Up in the Morning Early”, or ”The Hopeless Lover”, played AABB.

Video: Violynne

VIOLYNNE

A three couple 32 bar Reel by Rod Downey from the New Zealand Branch 50th aniversary book entitled “A Touch of Gold.”

1-8 First couple dance a figure of eight on the sides giving hands as appropriate,
beginning by dancing in front of the second, behind the third, back in front
of the third and behind the second finishing ready for…

9-16 1C, 2C and 3C dance mirror reels of three on the sides first couple dancing
in and down between the second to begin. At the end of the reels, second
couple finish facing up, and third couple finish facing in place.

17-24 First couple followed by the second couple (who dance up to begin) dance
(nearer hands) down the middle and up. On bars 20 and 21 second couple
divide to allow first couple to dance between them. Both couples finish in
the middle of the set with both hands joined ready for ..

25-32 First and second couple dance a poussette.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Devised January 2004 as a teaching dance for the beginners class at New Zealand
Summer School. I had taught the class “Sandy o’er the Lea”, and wanted a
dance with a poussette and mirror reels.

I also wanted to write a dance for Lynne Scott who is a multi-talented musician
and the fiddle is one of her favourite instruments.

The symbolism : 1-16 resembles the fiddle frame, 17-24 the strings and 25-32
the bowing.

Recommended music is “The Peat Fire Flame” played either AABB or ABAB,
and a suitable recording is to be found on “The Fireside Reel” as played by the
Scotsmen on “One More Couple Please.” Alternative acceptable music would
be “Corn Rigs” or “The Auld Grey Cat”.

The Black Leather Jig
Delaware Valley Silver
32 Bar Reel for 3 Couples

1 – 8 1st couple set, turn once round by the right, cast off one place, and turn by the left three quarters to finish with 1st woman facing 3rd woman and 1st man facing 2nd man. 2nd couple step up on bars 5-6.

9 – 16 1st couple dance reels of three across the dance, giving left shoulder to the dancer they face. At the end of the reels, 1st couple turn quickly by the left hand to finish 1st woman facing 2nd man and 1st man facing 3rd woman. Supporting couples dance wide, slow reels across the dance, finishing in original places.

17 – 24 1st couple repeat the same left shoulder reels across the dance as in bars 9-16, 1st woman dancing with the 2nd couple and 1st man dancing with the 3rd couple. At the end of the reels, 1st couple pass right shoulders to finish facing first corners. Supporting couples dance continuously from the first reel to the second.

25 – 32 1st couple dance Hello-Goodbye setting with turns:

25-26 1st couple set to first corners, pulling right shoulder back to finish on opposite sides in second place.
27-28 1st couple turn by the right three quarters to face second corners.
29-32 Repeat bars 25-28 with second corners, finishing on own sides in second place.

    Repeat having passed a couple.

Devised by Geoffrey Selling of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Inscribed to Heather Petit and Will Hurd on the announcement of their engagement, December 14, 1991. The title, which puns on the name White Heather Jig, refers to the black leather kilts, jackets and boots which Heather and Will are known to wear to Scottish dance events. Though called a jig, the dance is intended to be a reel.

Suggested Music: “Sleepy Maggie,” from RSCDS Bk. 11 recording, by Alastair Hunter and the Lorne Scottish Dance Band

Video: Violynne

VIOLYNNE

A three couple 32 bar Reel by Rod Downey from the New Zealand Branch 50th aniversary book entitled “A Touch of Gold.”

1-8 First couple dance a figure of eight on the sides giving hands as appropriate,
beginning by dancing in front of the second, behind the third, back in front
of the third and behind the second finishing ready for…

9-16 1C, 2C and 3C dance mirror reels of three on the sides first couple dancing
in and down between the second to begin. At the end of the reels, second
couple finish facing up, and third couple finish facing in place.

17-24 First couple followed by the second couple (who dance up to begin) dance
(nearer hands) down the middle and up. On bars 20 and 21 second couple
divide to allow first couple to dance between them. Both couples finish in
the middle of the set with both hands joined ready for ..

25-32 First and second couple dance a poussette.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Devised January 2004 as a teaching dance for the beginners class at New Zealand
Summer School. I had taught the class “Sandy o’er the Lea”, and wanted a
dance with a poussette and mirror reels.

I also wanted to write a dance for Lynne Scott who is a multi-talented musician
and the fiddle is one of her favourite instruments.

The symbolism : 1-16 resembles the fiddle frame, 17-24 the strings and 25-32
the bowing.

Recommended music is “The Peat Fire Flame” played either AABB or ABAB,
and a suitable recording is to be found on “The Fireside Reel” as played by the
Scotsmen on “One More Couple Please.” Alternative acceptable music would
be “Corn Rigs” or “The Auld Grey Cat”.