Video: The Kissing Bridge
The Kissing Bridge
RSCDS Book 47
32 bar reel for three couples in a four-couple longwise set
1-8 1st couple cast off, dance down behind own lines and cast up to original places.
9-16 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples dance reels of three on the sides. To begin 1st couple cross down, 1st woman passing 3rd man by the left and 1st man passing 3rd woman by the right while 2nd couple dance out and up. 1St couple finish in partner’s place.
17-24 1st couple lead down the middle. On bar 20, 1st couple change to own sides, 1st woman dancing under her partner’s right arm. 1st couple lead up to the top to finish facing partner with both hands joined. 2nd couple step in.
25-32 1st and 2nd couples dance a poussette.
Repeat having passed a couple
Devised by Romaine Butterfield, New Zealand Branch
A “kissing bridge” is another name for a North American “covered bridge”.
No Video
Megan’s Favourite
David Queen, The Queen Collection, Vol. 1
32 Bar Jig for 3 couples in a 4 couple set
1 – 4 All clap as 1st couple cross passing right shoulder and cast into 2″ place, 2nd couple stepping up on bars 3 & 4.
5 – 6 1st couple dance a petronella turn so that the 1st man is between the 2nd couple facing down and the 1st lady is between the 3rd couple facing up.
7 – 8 All set.
9 – 14 All dance right shoulder reels of three across with the 1st couple dancing to their right to begin.
15 – 16 All clap as the 1st couple dance a petronella turn onto their own sides in 2nd place.
17 – 24 1st couple dance down the middle and up finishing ready for an allemande, 2nd couple step down on bars 19 & 20 and step in behind the 1st couple ready for a poussette.
25 – 32 1st and 2nd couples dance a two couple allepousse ie. 1st couple dance an allemande while the 2nd couple dance a poussette.
This dance is dedicated to Miss Megan Thomas, whose favourite figure is a poussette, she also likes to clap a lot!
Video: Lady Auckland’s Reel
Lady Auckland’s Reel
RSCDS Book 18 – No. 2
32-bar strathspey for two couples in a four-couple longwise set
1 – 8 1st and 2nd women dance between 1st and 2nd men, cast round partners and, giving both hands, turn once round to face partners. 1st and 2nd couples, giving both hands, turn once round to original places.
9 – 16 1st and 2nd men repeat bars 1-8, dancing between partners to begin.
17 – 24 1st couple lead down the middle and up to finish in the middle of the set facing up. 2nd couple step in.
25 – 32 1st and 2nd couples dance an allemande.
Repeat, having passed a couple.
Wm. Campbell’s 8th Book of New and Favourite Country Dances, & Strathspey Reels c. 1787.
Original tune: Lady Auckland’s Reel (Traditional)
The Manual of Scottish Country Dancing:
Bars 1-8 The phrasing of bars 1-8 needs care. 1st and 2nd women lead through between 1st and 2nd men for two bars, cast round their own partner for two bars and face each other. They must be well over to their own side before they turn each other on bars 5-6 and the men dance forward to turn partners on bar 7 in the middle of the set before all dance back to places. On bar 8 the men must be right back into the line before they begin to dance on bar 9.
TACNotes:’
1-8 We suggest that 1st & 2nd women meet in middle of set at end of bar 4, ready to turn each other on bars 5-6. Their partners dance in on bar 7 to begin turn, & all finish on sidelines on bar 8.
9-16 Turns take place in middle of set as in bars 1-8.
Video: Collie Law
Collie Law
A 32 bar jig for 2 couples
R Goldring
24 Graded & Social Dances
1- 4 1st and 2nd couples, joining nearer hands on the sides, advance and retire
5-8 1st and 2nd couples turn partner once round with right hands finishing in the center, facing up, ready for: –
9-16 1st and 2nd couples dance Allemande
17-24 1st couple, crossing up to begin, dance a figure of eight round 2nd couple.
25-32 2nd and 1st couples dance right hands across & left hands back
Video: Flowers of Edinburgh
Flowers of Edinburgh
RSCDS Book 1 – No. 6
32-bar reel for three couples in a four-couple longwise set
1 – 6 1st woman casts off two places, crosses to the opposite side and dances up behind 2nd and 3rd men to her partner’s original place. 1st man follows his partner, crossing over and dancing behind 2nd and 3rd women, and up the middle to his partner’s original place.
7 – 8 1st couple set to each other.
9 – 14 1st couple repeat bars 1-6, with 1st man casting off and 1st woman following. 1st couple finish in original places.
15 – 16 1st couple set to each other.
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.
Kate Hughes’ Dancing Book (MS), Dundalk 1867.
Original tune: Flowers of Edinburgh (Traditional)