Dances for November 13, 2017

Video: The Black Black Oil

THE BLACK BLACK OIL
THE DEESIDE BOOK OF SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCES, Part 2 by JOHN DREWRY

Reel: 5-couple set: 32 bars
Tune: “Fitful Head” by Tom GeorgesonThe Duke of Edinburgh’s Welcome to Shetland (Shetland Times Ltd.)

1–4 1st couple half-turn by the right hand, moving down to face one another across the centre of the dance in second place, then they set to one another. 3rd couple, similarly, half-turn down to fourth place and set. (2nd and 4th couples move up one place each on Bars 1-2)

5–8 1st couple, giving left hands in passing, cross to own sides, then 1st lady casts up round 2nd lady, and dances into the centre of the dance to face 2nd man, while 1st man casts off behind 4th man, and dances into the centre to face 4th lady. 3rd couple dance similarly, 3rd lady finishes facing 4th man, and 3rd man finishes facing 5th lady. (1st man and 3rd lady pass one another by the left between 4th couple)

9–16 1st lady dances a reel of three across the dance with 2nd couple, passing 2nd man by the right. 1st man and 3rd lady dance a reel of four across the dance with 4th couple. 3rd man dances a reel of three across the dance with 5th couple, passing 5th lady by the right. 1st and 3rd couples finish the reels in the centre of the dance between their first corners. (1st man and 3rd lady pass by the right)

17–18 1st and 3rd couples give left hands to partners and right hands to their first corners and they balance in line.

19–20 1st and 3rd couples turn their first corners by the right hand into the centre of the dance, where the corners join left hands.

21–22 They balance in line again.

23–24 1st and 3rd couples turn their first corners by the right hand out to the sides, and finish facing second corners.

25–28 Second corners “pass and turn”. At the end, 1st and 3rd couples turn partners by the right hand half-way round (i.e. to own sides), and retain hold of right hands.

29–32 1st and 3rd couples continue turning partners by the right hand once round, then cast off one place each on own sides.

Repeat with a new top couple, and with original top couple in third place.

 

Video: City of Belfast

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)

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