Dances for October 29, 2018

Video: The Last of the Lairds

The Last of the Lairds
Book 22 – No. 5
32-bar jig for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

1 – 16 1st couple and 2nd and 3rd couples dance reels of three on opposite sides and then on own sides. To begin, 1st couple cross to the middle of the opposite side followed, in turn, by 2nd and 3rd couple as they reach first place and repeat to finish in original places.

17 – 20 1st couple set and, giving right hands, cross over and cast off one place. 2nd couple step up on bars 19-20.

21 – 28 1st couple lead down, cross below 3rd couple and cast up to meet in the middle, dance up between 2nd couple and cast off to second place.

29 – 32 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples, giving right hands to partners, turn once round.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Devised by Hugh A Thurston, Bristol (later Vancouver).
Original tune: The Stool of Repentance (Neil Gow)

The first edition of Book 22 included the following note:
“Those who have used this dance from Dr. Thurston’s Booklet will like to know that he has agreed that the ending shown above is more satisfactory.”
The original ending was:

17 – 20 The first couple cross over, giving right hands, and cast off one, the second couple moving up to first place.

21 – 24 All six turn partners once round with both hands (using pas de basque).

25 – 32 1st couple lead down one, crossing over as they do so; cast up one (the man round 3rd man, the woman round 3rd woman); lead up one; and cast off one (round 2nd couple).

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TACNotes:’
21-28 We suggest that 2nd cpl step up on bars 27-28, rather than on bars 19-20 as stated in book instructions.

 

 

Video: The Merchant City

The Merchant City
32-bar strathspey for three couples in a three-couple longwise set

1 – 8 1st and 2nd couples dance ’The Espagnole’ as follows

1 – 2 1st and 2nd women, joining right hands, dance towards the opposite side passing between their partners. On the second step, 1st woman crosses 2nd woman over in front of her, so that 2nd woman dances out and up towards first place while 1st woman dances out and down towards second place. At the same time 1st and 2“d men cross to opposite side passing on either side of their partners.

3 – 4 1st and 2nd man, joining right hands, dance back towards their own side passing between their partners. On the fourth step, 1st man crosses 2nd man over in front of him, so that 2nd man dances up and out towards first place while 1st man dances out and down towards second place. At the same time 2nd and 1st women cross back to their own side passing on either side of their partners.

5 – 8 2nd couple turn with right hands while 1st couple turn with left hands.

9 – 12 1st man with 3rd couple, 1st woman With 2r101 couple, dance right hands across once round, 1st couple pass by the right

13 – 16 1st man with 2nd couple, 1st woman with 3rd couple, dance left hands across once round, 1st couple finish in second place.

17 – 24 1st and 3rd couples dance ’The Rosette’ as follows

17 – 20 1st and 3rd couples, with nearer hands joined, set, turn partner right hands halfway round and, staying close together, face partner, release hands and cast by the right towards partner’s place

21 – 24 Dance clockwise halfway round to new positions.

25 – 32 2nd, 3rd and 1st couples dance six hands round and back.

Repeat from new positions.

The Espagnole and The Rosette are progressions devised by John Drewry.

Devised by Anne Thorn for the 90th anniversary of Glasgow Branch of the RSCDS.

The figures in the dance reflect the continental trade routes in the city which prospered
due to the Glasgow Merchants and Tobacco Lords.

Tune: Jessie Smith (Trad)

 

Video: The Reel of the 51st Division

Video: The Reel of the 51st Division

The Reel of the 51st Division
Book 13 – No. 10
32-bar reel for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

1 – 8 1st couple set to each other and cast off two places, meet below 3rd couple and lead up the middle to face first corners. 2nd couple step up on bars 3-4.

9 – 12 1st couple set to and turn first corners with the right hand, finishing in a diagonal line by joining left hands with partner.

13 – 14 1st couple and first corners balance in line.

15 – 16 1st couple, releasing right hands with corners, turn each other one and a quarter times to face second corners.

17 – 22 1st couple repeat bars 9-14 with second corners.

23 – 24 1st couple cross to second place on own sides.

25 – 32 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance six hands round and back.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Devised by Jimmy Atkinson, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, and Peter Oliver, Seaforth Highlanders (London Scottish), with advice from Tom Harris-Hunter, Royal Army Service Corps while all were interned in the Prisoner of War camp at Laufen in Germany.

Original tune: The Drunken Piper or Highland Rory
Alex. McLeod, c. 1880

The original instructions in the form of notes, written by Tom Harris-Hunter on a scruffy piece of paper when he was a prisoner of war, clearly show that the dance was intended for a five couple set as it is still danced in Perthshire.

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TACNotes:’
1-8 Set (no stealing) bars 1-2, cast bars 3-5, dance in to meet on bar 6, lead up on bar 7 to face corners on bar 8.