Ottawa Summer Class
Video: Middling, thank you
Middling, thank you
RSCDS Book 15
40-bar jig for three couples in a four-couple longwise set
1 – 8 1st and 2nd couples set twice and dance half rights and lefts.
9 – 16 2nd and 1st couples repeat bars 1-8 to finish in the middle of the set facing partners, both hands joined.
17 – 24 1st and 2nd couples dance a poussette.
25 – 32 1st couple lead down the middle and up and cast off one place to face first corners.
33 – 40 1st couple turn first corners with the right hand, partner with the left hand, second corners with the right hand and, giving left hand to partner, cross over to second place on own sides.
Repeat, having passed a couple.
Dances for 1813, published by Button and Whittaker, 1813.
Original tune: Middling, Thank you (Traditional)
TACNotes:’
15-16 2nd woman helps 1st woman, 1st man helps 2nd man, into position for poussette before completing their polite turns.
No Video
Peridot and Sapphire
Debbie Crossley . The Fourth Sheaf Collection of Scottish Country Dances
32-bar strathspey for three couples in a three-couple longwise set
1 – 6 1st woman, followed by her partner, casts off behind the women’s line, crosses the set below 3rd couple. 1st woman dances up behind the men’s line to 1st man’s place whilst 1st man dances up the middle of the set to finish in 1st woman’s place (turning in the easy way, left shoulder pulled back).
7 – 8 1st and 2nd couples set on the side.
9 – 16 1st and 2nd couples dance a circulating knot, with 1st couple finishing facing partner’s first corner.
(9-10) 1st and 2nd couples turn partner right hand halfway into allemande hold, first couple are facing up and 2nd couple are facing down.
(11-12) 1st couple turn to left to dance across to the men’s side and turn to face down and dance down the sideline to second place whilst 2nd couple turn to dance across to the woman’s side and turn to face up then dance up the sideline to first place.
(13-14) 2nd and 1st couples both release right hand to pass the woman in front as 2nd man continues to dance up the women’s side and 1st man continues to dance down the men’s side.
(15-16) 2nd couple continue to turn by the left hand to finish in first place on own side whilst 1st couple continue to turn by the left hand to finish facing partners first corners.
17 – 20 1st couple and first corners dance corners pass and turn. First corners turn with the right hand. 1st couple pass by the right shoulder to face partner’s second corner.
21 – 24 1st couple and second corners dance pass corners and turn. Second corners turn with the right hand. 1st couple pass by the right shoulder to finish in second place opposite sides.
25 – 28 All three couples chase half-way round clockwise.
29 – 32 1st couple, giving both hands, turn once and finish on own sides whilst 2nd and 3rd couples, giving both hands, turn halfway and face partner before turning to the right to dance out to own sides. Finish 3 1 2.
Repeat from new positions.
Devised by Debbie Crossley, Sheffield Branch, 2021.
The dance was written to celebrate the marriage of Jana Hesselmann to Reg Stones. The first eight bars remind us of Reg and Jana dancing The Flowers of Edinburgh at the Scunthorpe dance when Luke Brady and his band came to play. The dance was encored with enthusiasm. The second eight bars celebrate Reg and Jana’s unique style of doing things their way. The third eight bars remind us that it’s not unheard of for Reg to switch sides part way through a dance. The final four bars are because Reg and Jana have found the partner they want to keep hold of. Formations in bold can be found in the Formations file.
Video: King’s Croft
King’s Croft
Ann Dix, Real Friends Book 2
A 32 bar reel for Three 2 couple sets in a triangular spoke formation
1 – 4 1st & 2nd couples dance right hands across,
5 – 8 1st & 2nd couples dance a circle to the left
9 – 12 1st & 2nd couples, set advancing to join right hands with partner, 1st woman and & 2nd man join left hands for a balance in line, the women pull back eight shoulders to be beside partners, all facing anticlockwise.
13 – 16 All promenade ⅓ round anticlockwise and face partner in single line, men with backs to centre
17– 24 All dance a petronella & set twice to single line, now women with backs to centre
25 – 28 All ½ Reels of four;
29 – 32 All turn partner ¾ with the right hand to sides (2,1)
Repeat once, ending with Tulloch turn
No Video
The Ottawa Flourish
Craig Williams
A 32 bar reel for 3 couples in a 4 couple longwise set
1-8 1st and 2nd couples dance right hands across and left hands back
9-16 1st couple lead down the middle and back to 2nd place. 2nd couple step up on bars 11 – 12
17-24 1st woman dance right hands across with 2nd couple while 1st man dances right hands across with 3rd couple. 1st couple pass right shoulders to dance left hands across, 1st woman with 3rd couple and 1st man with 2nd couple.
25-32 2nd couple followed by 1st and 3rd couple, dance down the middle and cast up on own sides.
Repeat having passed a couple
A simple dance inspired by Glasgow Flourish form RSCDS Book 11