Dances for July 8, 2026
Ottawa Summer Class
No Video
At Long Last
Ward Fleri, Salute to San Diego
40 bar flirtatious jig for 3 couples in a 4-couple set
1 – 4 1st and 2nd couples advance and retire
5 – 8 1st and 2nd couples turn partner by the right hand halfway and join hands to dance right hands across halfway, finishing on the sides of the set
9 – 16 1st couple advance and retire, then turn by the left hand one and a quarter times to face first corners
17 – 20 1st couple dance half diagonal reel of four with first corners, 1st couple pull back right shoulder on bar 20 to finish back to back facing partner’s second corners
21 – 24 1st couple and second corners repeat bars 17-20
25 – 28 1s couple and first corners repeat bars 17-20
29 – 32 1st couple and second corners repeat bars 17-20, except 1st couple approach each other on bar 32 to finish in the center of the set, facing down in allemande hold (woman is on her partner’s right side)
33 – 36 1st couple dance down the middle in allemande hold for three steps, and turn about on the fourth step, maintaining allemande hold (as in the Gay Gordon’s)
37 – 40 1st couple dance up for two steps and then cross into second place on their own sides, the man leading his partner across him as she curves into place
Repeat from new positions
Devisor’s Note: In bars 17-32, 1st couple should take every opportunity to flirt during the ‘snub’ turns, and maintain eye contact on bars 38-40
Suggested music: “Merrily Danced the Quaker’s Wife” Scottish Dance Masters Vol 1, by Ron Gonnella and Andrew Rankine
Devised by Ward Fleri
Dedicated to John Thoburn (a Quaker) and Tina Mello on the occasion of their wedding, May 30, 1993
No Video
Diamond of the Water
A 3 couple strathspey for a 3 couple set
Jayne Irwin, July 2024
1 – 4 All 3 couples turn with both hands once round and set.
5 – 8 All 3 couples dance in and take nearer hands, facing up.
1st couple casts off to 3rd place.
2nd couple dance up and cast of to original places.
3rd couple dance and cast into 1st place.
On bar 8 all three couples dance in to take promenade hold.
9 – 16 3rd, 2nd & 1st couples dance a 3 couple promenade, 3rd couple casts of to 2nd place and 2nd couple dance to the top on the last two bars.
17 – 18 2nd, 3rd & 1st couple turn once round with both hands
19 – 20 All advance for one step & retire one step
21 – 24 All dance back to back
25 – 32 All circle to the left and back
Repeat from new positions
Our canoe, gliding gently in the reflective water and watching the fish below swishing to and fro.
Video: My Mother’s Coming In
My Mother’s Coming In
RSCDS Book 15
32-bar reel for three couples in a four-couple longwise set
1 – 8 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples dance reels of three on own sides. 1st and 2nd men, 1st and 2nd women pass by the right to begin.
9 – 12 1st couple set and cast off one place. 2nd couple step up on bars 11-12.
13 – 16 1st couple dance a half figure of eight round 2nd couple.
17 – 20 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples advance and retire.
21 – 24 2nd and 3rd couples, giving both hands to partners, turn once round. At the same time, 1st couple, giving both hands, turn one and a half times to finish back to back in the middle of the set facing own sides.
25 – 32 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance double triangles.
Repeat, having passed a couple.
Dances for 1813, published by Button and Whitaker, 1813.
Original tune: Dalkeith House (James MacDonald from Gow)
RSCDS Manual
My Mother’s Coming In
Bars 21 – 24
It is acceptable for 1st couple to dance a half turn to finish back to back ready to dance double triangles. During bars 23‐24, 1st couple release the hand nearer the top of the set and turn back to back.
TAC Notes
My Mother’s Coming in
1 – 8 R shoulder reels.
21 – 24 1st cpl advance (bar 21), half turn (bars 22-23), then 1st man releases LH & aids partner to finish back to back (bar 24).
No Video
The Lucky Bucket
Lindsay Clarke, May 2025
32 bar reel for 3C in a 4C set
1 – 8 1st couple dance down the middle for 4 bars with nearer hands joined, on bars 5-6 1st woman dances under their raised arms and in front of her partner (as he dances below her) to switch places and face up, on bars 7-8 they dance up to 2nd place on opposite sides.(2nd couple step up on 3-4)
9 – 20 2nd, 1st & 3rd couples dance rights and lefts for three couples.
21 – 24 1st couple dance half a figure eight, 1st woman around 3rd couple, 1st man around 2nd couple to second place own side.
25 – 32 2nd, 1st & 3rd couples dance six hands round and back