Dances for August 3, 2017

Video: Lady Mary Menzies’ Reel

Lady Mary Menzies’ Reel
RSCDS Book 7 – No. 5
32-bar reel for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

1 – 8 1st and 2nd couples dance right hands across for three steps and left
hands back. 1st couple cast off one place on own sides and 2nd couple dance up to first place.

9 – 12 1st couple lead up the middle to finish back to back between 2nd couple, 1st man facing 2nd woman and 1st woman facing 2nd man. 1st and 2nd couples set.

13 – 16 1st couple lead down the middle to finish back to back between 3rd couple, 1st man facing 3rd woman and 1st woman facing 3rd man.
1st and 3rd couples set.

17 – 20 1st couple turn first corners with the right hand 1st man finishing between 3rd couple facing up and 1st woman between 2nd couple facing down.
1st couple set and advance toward second corners.

21 – 24 1st couple turn second corners with the right hand finishing between corners. 1st couple set to each other.

25 – 30 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance reels of three on the sides. 1st couple pass first corners by the left to begin.

31 – 32 1st couple, giving right hands, cross over to second place on own sides.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

The Register of Dances at Castle Menzies, 1749.
Original tune: Lady Mary Menzies’ Reel (Bremner, 1761)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TACNotes:’
13-16 Nearer hand lead. 1st woman, maintaining eye contact with 3rd man, finishes first setting step facing up towards 2nd man & uses the second setting step to advance towards him a little. 1st man moves slightly up on second setting step.
19-20 Set to partner while advancing to face 2nd corner.

 

 

 

New Dance – Yet to be named
32 bar strathspey for 2 couples in a four couple set
Craig Williams, July 2017

 

1 – 2 1st couple turn RH to finish between 2nd couple, 1st man facing 2nd man, 1st woman facing 2nd woman.
3 – 4 1st couple set to 2nd couple
5 – 8 1st couple dance right shoulder 2nd couple and pass each other left shoulder to finish 1st man facing 2nd woman, 1st woman facing 2nd man

9 – 16 1st & 2nd couple Reel of four.

17 – 20 Set with Glasgow Highlanders setting step.
21 – 24 1st and 2nd couple pull back right shoulder and cast into right hands across. Finish 1st couple facing each other up and down the set

25 – 28 1st couple turn 3/4 with the right hand to finish facing up. Dance up, crossing over and cast off into 2nd place

29 – 32 2nd & 1st couple turn once round with the right hand

 




Dances for July 27

No Videos this week.

Long Frank’s Reel

A 32-bar reel for 3 couples in a 4-couple set.
Tune: Frank & June Hewitson

1 – 8 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples dance mirror reels of 3 on the sides. 1st couple begin by crossing down, 2nd couple dance out and up, 3rd couple dance in and up.

9 – 10 1st couple dance down with nearer hands joined and separate onto the opposite side facing down, 2nd couple dance out and up into 1st place.

11 – 12 1st man & 3rd lady turn once round with the right hand while 1st lady & 3rd man turn once round with the left hand. 1St couple face up.

13 – 16 1st man & 2nd lady turn 1 1/2 times with the left hand while 1st lady & 2nd man turn 1 1/2 times with the right hand.

17 – 20 1st couple dance half figure of 8 round 2nd couple, crossing down to begin.

21 – 24 1st & 2nd couples dance right hands across and stay in the middle with partners ready for:-

25 – 32 1st & 2nd couples dance an allepousse. i.e. 1St couple dance a 2 couple allemande into 2nd place while 2nd couple dance a poussette into 1st place.

Repeat having passed a couple.

This dance was devised for Frank Hewitson of Ribble Valley Branch RSCDS who I looked up to since I was in short pants! Frank sadly passed away in 2009, aged 92

Dance devised by David G. Queen 2005

 

 

Saxie’s Baa, 32J 2C (3C Set)
The Green Lady Book of Scottish Country Dances by Barry Priddey
1–8     1M and 2W dance a figure of eight round partners; to begin they pass each other by the right, dance round partner by the left
then pass each other right again to complete the figure on own sides.
9–16     1C and 2C dance rights and lefts.
17–24    1W and 2M dance a figure of eight round partners; to begin they pass each other by the left, dance round partner by the right
then pass each other left again to complete the figure on own sides.
25–32     1C and 2C dance the Knot progression.

 




Dances for July 20, 2017

There is one video this week!

Oxton Reel
144-bar strathspey for six couples in a six-couple longwise set

Part A
1 – 6 1st couple, followed by 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th couples, who dance up the sides to begin, cast off and dance down behind their own lines.

7 – 12 1st couple, meet at the bottom of the set and lead up the middle, followed by 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th couples.

13 – 16 All six couples, giving right hands, turn partners once round.

17 – 24 All six couples set to partners with simple setting steps.

Part B
1 – 12 1st couple take promenade hold and, turning to the right to begin, dance a figure of eight down and up the set, to places, followed by 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th couples.

13 – 16 All six couples, giving right hands, turn partners once round.

17 – 24 All six couples set to partners with simple setting steps.

Part C
1 – 12 All repeat bars 1 – 12 of part B, but with hands joined behind their backs.

13 – 16 All six couples, giving right hands, turn partners once round.

17 – 24 All six couples set to partners with simple setting steps.

Part D
1 – 12 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples, and also 4th, 5th and 6th couples, dance a grand chain with two steps to each hand. 1st couple and 4th couple face across, 2nd couple and 5th couple face down and 3rd couple and 6th couple face up to begin.

13 – 16 All six couples, giving right hands, turn partners once round.

17 – 24 All six couples set to partners with simple setting steps.

Part E
1 – 12 All six couples dance into the middle, and with each man behind his partner and hands on her waist, 1st and 4th couples facing down and the others facing up. 1St, 2nd and 3rd couples, and also, 4th, 5th and 6th couples, dance reels of three in tandem. To begin 1st and 2nd couples and 4th adn 5th couples pass by the right.

13 – 16 All six couples, giving right hands, turn partners once round.

17 – 24 All six couples set to partners with simple setting steps.

Part F
1 – 12 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples, and also, 4th, 5th and 6th couples, dance six hands twice round to the left.

13 – 16 All six couples, giving right hands, turn partners once round.

17 – 24 All six couples set to partners with simple setting steps.

Collected at Oxton, Berwickshire.
Original tune: Cameron’s got his wife again (Bremner)

 

 

Video: The  Thistle and the Columbine

The Thistle and the Columbine
8×32 Jig

1-8 1st couple set and cast off one place, 2nd couple step up on bars 3 & 4. 1st woman with 2nd couple and 1st man with 3rd couple dance right hands across once round, the first couple finish facing their first corners

9-16 1st couple dance the track of a reel of four to finish back to back in the center of the dance in second place facing their own sides while 2nd and 4rd couples dance rights and lefts.

17-24 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance double triangles, the 1st couple finishing in the centre of the dance facing down on their own side with nearer hands joined.

25-32 1st couple with nearer hands joined down between 3rd couple, cast up one place to meet in the centre of the dance facing up and with nearer hands joined dance up between the 2nd couple and cast off one place.

This dance was devised by Miss Janet Renton on August 2007 for a forthcomming visit to Colorado, USA. The dance was named after the emblem of Scotland and the Columbine flower which is the state flower of Colorado, USA




Dances for July 13, 2017

The Threesome Reel
Medley of 48-bar strathspey and 48-bar reel for three dancers

The dancers comprise a man between two women with nearer hands joined. The man may hold the corner of a handkerchief in each hand, the opposite corners of which are held by the women. Alternatively, ribbons can be used.

Strathspey
1 – 8 With eight strathspey travelling steps, the women dance round the man in opposite directions, the woman on his left keeping to the outside and the women on his right keeping to the inside and going under the arch made by the others. The man turns slowly round in the same direction as the women going under the arch, using travelling step. All finish in places.

9 – 16 All set with Highland Strathspey setting steps

17 – 48 Repeat twice with different Highland strathspey setting steps.

Reel
1 – 8 Repeat three times with Highland reel setting steps.

Collected in Perthshire and Angus

Original tunes:
Strathspey: Mrs Stewart Nicholson’s (Nathaniel Gow)
Reel: Sleepy Maggy (Bremner, 1757)

 

 

The Judge’s Jig
32 bar jig for 3 couples

1 – 8 1st and 2nd couples dance rights and lefts up and down the dance. To begin, 1st and 2nd women (also 1st and 2nd men) change places with right hands. At the end of bar 8, 1st couple finish facing out.

9 – 16 1st and 3rd couples dance double figures of eight. To begin, 1st couple cast off two places and 3rd couple cross up to the top. At the end of bar 16, 1st couple again finish facing out.

17 – 20 1st and 2nd women turn 1 ½ times with right hands and 1st and 2nd men turn 1 ½ times with left hands to change places.
21 – 24 1st couple dance a half figure of eight crossing up between 2nd couple to begin. 1st couple finish in 2nd place on opposite sides.

25 – 30 Reels of three on the sides. To begin: 1st couple dance in and down, 3rd couple dance out and up, 2nd couple dance out and down.
31 – 32 1st couple cross giving left hands

Repeat having passed a couple.

Note: At the end of the first turn, 1st woman finished facing out but 1st man curves slightly to finish to finish just inside the side lines ready to give right hand to the ‘new’ 2nd man.

For Johan Berg.
Tune: Venskaben (Muriel Johnstone)
Roy Goldring (2005) – Auld Friends Meet

 

 

The City of Preston Reel
A 32-bar reel for 3 couples in a 4-couple set

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

5 – 8 1st couple, giving left hands, cross over and cast to their left to finish 1st woman facing 2nd man and 1st man facing 3rd woman.

9 – 16 Dance Reels of 3 across the dance giving right shoulder to begin.

17 – 20 Joining hands three and three across the dance, all advance and retire up & down the set.

21 – 24 1st couple, giving right hands, change places up and down, and cast to their right to finish on the sidelines between their corners.

25 – 28 Joining hands, all advance and retire.

29 – 30 All set.

31 – 32 1st couple cross over giving right hands to finish in 2nd place on own sides.

Repeat having passed a couple.

Devised by Lavinia Morris to celebrate Preston receiving City status and dance by the beginners’ class of 2008/2009.




Dances for July 6, 2017 – Roy Goldring

Sorry, no videos this week.

North Grove
32 bar strathspey for 3 couples

1 – 8 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples set, circle once round to the left and dance in on bar 8 to meet partners. All finish facing up ready for:

9 – 16 Three couple promenade. On bars 15 – 16, 1st couple cast off to 2nd place and 2nd couple dance up to top place.

17 – 18 1st couple, giving right hands, cross to the opposite side line and face 1st corners.
19 – 20 1st couple set to 1st corners.
21 – 22 1st couple set to partner.
23 – 24 1st couple set to 2nd corners.

25 – 30 Reels of three on the side lines. To begin, 1st couple give right shoulder to 2nd corners.
31 – 32 1st couple, giving right hands, cross to own side.

Repeat having passed a couple.

For Alice Murphy
Tune: Murphy’s Measure (Nandy Dickson)
Roy Goldring 1993 – Auld Friends Meet

 

The Judge’s Jig
32 bar jig for 3 couples

1 – 8 1st and 2nd couples dance rights and lefts up and down the dance. To begin, 1st and 2nd women (also 1st and 2nd men) change places with right hands. At the end of bar 8, 1st couple finish facing out.

9 – 16 1st and 3rd couples dance double figures of eight. To begin, 1st couple cast off two places and 3rd couple cross up to the top. At the end of bar 16, 1st couple again finish facing out.

17 – 20 1st and 2nd women turn 1 ½ times with right hands and 1st and 2nd men turn 1 ½ times with left hands to change places.
21 – 24 1st couple dance a half figure of eight crossing up between 2nd couple to begin. 1st couple finish in 2nd place on opposite sides.

25 – 30 Reels of three on the sides. To begin: 1st couple dance in and down, 3rd couple dance out and up, 2nd couple dance out and down.
31 – 32 1st couple cross giving left hands

Repeat having passed a couple.

Note: At the end of the first turn, 1st woman finished facing out but 1st man curves slightly to finish to finish just inside the side lines ready to give right hand to the ‘new’ 2nd man.

For Johan Berg.
Tune: Venskaben (Muriel Johnstone)
Roy Goldring (2005) – Auld Friends Meet

 

 

North West 50th
32 bar reel for 5 couples

1 – 4 1st couple cross giving right hands and cast off one place to finish in the centre of the dance facing down. 2nd couple step up on bars 3 – 4.
5 – 8 1st woman and 3rd man turn 1 ½ times with right hands while 1st man and 3rd woman turn 1 ½ times with left hands. 1st couple finish in 3rd place facing out. 2rd couple finish facing 2nd place facing in.

9 – 16 Reels of three on the side. To begin: 1st couple dance out and up, 3rd couple dance in and down, 2nd couple dance out and down. 1st couple finish facing out and down.

17 – 20 1st woman and 4th man turn 1 ½ times with left hands while 1st man and 4th woman turn 1 ½ times with right hands. 1St couple finish in 4th place facing in.
21 – 24 1st couple dance half figure of eight around 4th couple, crossing up to begin and finish in 4th place facing in and down.

25 – 30 Reels of three on the side. To begin: 1st coupel dance in and down, 5th couple dance out and up, 4th couple dance out and down. 1st coupel finish in 4th place facing in and down. 5th couple finish in own place facing in and up.
31 – 32 1st and 5th women change places with left hands while 1st and 5th men change places with right hands. Order now 2, 3, 4, 5, 1.

Repeat from new positions

For the 50th Anniversary of the North West Craven Branch of the RSCDS. 19th December 1958 – 19th December 2008.

Tune: The Kettle Drum (Traditional)
Roy Goldring (2007) – Auld Friends Meet