Dances for April 2, 2012

Here are the dances for this week. We are focusing on the dances for the Beginners’ Ball. Since many of the dancers in this class were introduced to the Strathspey Poussette (follow the link to a detailed description of the formation) last week we will also try to review that. Hopefully, the class will be comfortable with it at the AGM social. Here is a video of the dance we did last week – Minister on the Loch It starts with the Strathspey Poussette

I have included a video of the dance Petronella. You will have to go to the blog to view it.

A DANCING CAREER
or
A DANCE IN KOREA
THE GREENBURN BOOK, A Collection of Scottish Country Dances by JOHN DREWRY, 1997 – 1998
devised in September 1997   
for Campbell and Isobel Barclay of Kippford and for the dancers in Korea

Jig –  2 couples – 32 bars

BARS

1 – 4    1st couple, joining nearer hands, dance down between 2nd couple and then cast up back to place.

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

9 – 16    1st couple dance a figure of eight round 2nd couple’s places. At the same time, 2nd couple set to each other, cross giving right hands, set on opposite sides and cross back to own sides giving right hands. 2nd couple stay facing out.

17 – 20    1st couple lead down the middle and 2nd couple dance up on the sides to first place and then follow 1st couple down the middle.

21 – 24    2nd couple, followed by 1st couple, lead up the middle and stay in the middle ready for : –

25 – 32    2nd and 1st couples dance a two-couple promenade.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Jimmy’s Fancy
RSCDS Book 14 – No. 11
32-bar strathspey for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

Bars                        Description

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 while 2nd couple dance up to first place.

9 – 16    1st woman with 2nd couple, 1st man with 3rd couple dance three hands round and back. 1st couple finish facing first corners.

17 – 24    1st couple set to and turn corners to finish between them.

25 – 32    1st couple lead down between 3rd couple, cross over to own sides, cast up round 3rd couple, dance up between 2nd couple and cast off to second place on own sides.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Thompson’s Compleat Collection of 200 Favourite Country Dances c. 1755.
Original tune: Lord Seaforth (Surenne)

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TACNotes:’    29-30   Nearer hand lead up.

Petronella
RSCDS Book 1 – No. 1
32-bar reel for two couples in a four-couple longwise set

Bars                        Description

1 – 2    1st couple dance a petronella turn, i.e. they dance a three-quarters turn, moving diagonally to their right into the middle of the set and pull back right shoulders to face partner.  (Fig.)

3 – 4    1st couple set to each other.

5 – 16    1st couple repeat bars 1– 4 always moving to the right until they are back in original positions.

17 – 24    1st couple lead down the middle and up to finish facing each other in the middle of the set with both hands joined. 2nd couple step in.

25 – 32    1st and 2nd couples dance a poussette.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Introduced at Nathaniel Gow’s Annual Ball in Edinburgh, 1820.
J P Boulogne:  The Ball-Room or the Juvenile Pupil’s Assistant, Glasgow 1827.

Original tine:  Petronella (Traditional)