I was too slow last week to get the dance instructions on the blog. This month we will be focusing on dances for the welcome dance on January 27. Please consider attending.

For your interest here is an article about how dancing can make you smarter!

This is the final class before the Ardbrae Christmas social. We have covered six of the dances from the program in this class. We hope you will come out and try the dances in a social setting. Keep in mind that we will be walking the dances through once.

The dances we covered in this class are:
The Lass of Richmond Hill
The Lady Wynd
McMarley’s Cross
Highland Fair
Fair Donald
The Findlay’s Jig

Here are the dances we hope to cover in this class

THE FINDLAY’S JIG
32 bar jig for 3 couples
14 Social Dances for 2000, devised by Roy Goldring

Bars

1 – 8    1st couple lead down the middle and back finishing at the top in the centre. 2nd and 3rd couples step in on bar 8.

9 – 16    3 couple allemande.

17 – 20    1st couple dance in, face down and cast up to the top. 3rd and 2nd couples step down on 19-20.
21 – 24    2nd couple repeat bars 17-20.  1st and 3rd couples step down on    bars 23-24.

25 – 32    6 hands round and back.

Repeat having passed a couple

For Faustina and Ian Findlay
Tune:    The Groom’s Jig by Ian Findlay

FAIR DONALD
(Strathspey)
RSCDS Book 29  No. 4

Music                           DESCRIPTION
Bars
1 – 4    First couple, with nearer hands joined, dance down between second couple and cast up to place.

5 – 8    First couple, with nearer hands joined, dance down between third couple and cast up to first corners; second couple step up on bars seven and eight.

9 – 16        First couple reel of four with first corners passing partner with left shoulder at end of reel.

17 – 24    First couple reel of four with second corners finishing as in Fig.

25 – 26    First couple cast off into second place.

27 – 28    Second, first and third couples set.

29 – 32    Second, first and third couples turn partners with two hands.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

No. 22 – The Lass of Richmond Hill
32-bar reel for three couples in a four-couple longwise set
RSCDS Second Book of Graded Scottish Country Dances

 Bars                         Description

1 – 8    1st couple lead down middle and up to the top to finish in the middle of the set, facing up.

9 – 14    1st couple cast off one place and, passing partner by the left, dance round first corners by the right and into the middle of the set. 2nd couple step up on bars 9-10.

15 – 16    1st couple, giving left hands, turn to face first corners.

17 – 24    1st couple and first corners dance a corner chain. 1st couple finish facing second corners.

25 – 32    1st couple and second corners dance a corner chain. 1st couple finish in second place on own sides.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Devised by Fiona Turnbull, RSCDS Richmond Branch.

First published in Richmond Anniversary Book 1952-1992.
©RSCDS Richmond Branch, printed with permission.

Tonight’s class will be combined with the intermediate class. This is a list of the dances we hope to cover. Some of the dances will be for the intermediate dancers only.

Fiona’s Fancy       
(D Bell, Campbell Stewart Collection)    (32 R 2C, RTR)

1 – 8    1C & 2C dance RH across and LH back to places.
9 – 16    1C & 2C circle 4-H round and back.
17 – 20    1W & 2W turn RH.
21 – 24    1M & 2M turn LH.
25 – 28    All dance back to back with person opposite.
29 – 30    Join NH with partner, dance 3 slip steps to the left and close, advancing enough to pass opposite couples.
31 – 32    With partner, dance 3 slip steps to the right and close to finish facing a new couple.

The Lady Wynd
(Goldring, Graded & Social 2)        (32 J 3C)

The Lady Wynd, Bentley
1 – 4    1C dance towards each other and cast off one place. 2C step up on bars 3-4.
5 – 8    2C, 1C & 3C turn partner once round RH to finish in middle, ready for…
9 – 16    2C, 1C & 3C dance a promenade.
17 – 24    1C dance a Figure of 8 on own sides, passing person in their Right by RSh to begin.
25 – 28    RH across – 1W with 2C and 1M with 3C. 1C dance through 2nd place on own sides on bar 28)
29 – 32    LH across – 1W with 3C and 1M with 2C.

McMarley’s Cross
(Junior Members Rose & Thistle)        (32 S 3C)

1 – 8    1C, 2C & 3C turn partners with RH then with LH.
9 – 16    1C set and cast off one place as 2C step up. 2C & 1C dance RH across.
17 – 24    1C set and cast off one more place as 3C step up. 3C & 1C dance LH across.
25 – 32    2C, 3C & 1C dance Grand Chain.

The Australian Ladies – Intermediates only
(Campbell, Glasgow Assembly)        (32 R 3C)

1 – 4    1C cross RH, cast off two places (2C & 3C step up on 3-4).
5 – 8    1C and 3C dance RH across once round (1C finish in middle RH joined).
9 – 12    1C lead up to top, cross and cast off to 2nd place (3C step down on 11-12)
13 – 16    1C and 2C dance LH across once round (both couples finish on sidelines).
17 – 20    1C cross RH and cast to R round 1st corner position to finish, 1M between 3rd couple, facing up and 1W between 2C, facing down. At the same time, 2C and 3C set to partner and cross RH to finish on opposite sides, 2C facing down and 3C facing up.
21 – 24    1C change places RH (up & down the dance) and cast to R round 2nd corner position to finish in 2nd place on opposite sides. At the same time, 2C and 3C set to each other, change places RH and turn to face partner (across the dance).
25 – 28    1C change places RH and cast to R round partner’s 1st corner position to finish, 1M between 3C (now in 2nd place), facing down and 1W between 2C (now in 3rd place), facing up. At the same time, 2C and 3C set to partner (across the dance) and change places to own sides RH to finish, 2C facing up and 3C facing down.
29 – 32    1C change places RH and cast to R round partner’s 2nd corner position to finish in 2nd place on own sides. At the same time, 2C and 3C set to each other and change places RH to finish facing partner across the dance. (2W and 3M make ‘polite’ turn at end of bar 32.)

The Mountain Stream
Goldring, Graded & Social 3        32 R 2C

1 – 8    1W & 2M set twice, turn with RH and finish in place.
9 – 16    1M & 2W set twice, turn with LH and finish in place. 1M remains facing out.
17 – 24    1M, followed by partner, casts off behind 2M, crosses up between 2C, casts behind 2W and crosses to 2nd place on own side. 1W finishes in 2nd place on own side. 2C step up on bars 23-24.
25 – 32    2C & 1C dance RH across and LH across back to place.

The Summer Assembly – Intermediates only
(Book 35)        (88 R 4C, 4C set)

1 – 4    All turn partner RH once round.
5 – 6    M stand still (facing counter-clockwise*) while W, passing partners RSh, dance one place clockwise.
7 – 8    All set to new partner.
9 – 16    Repeat bars 1-8, beginning by turning ‘new’ partners RH(M stand facing counter-clockwise on bars 13-14*) (W are now half way round the set.)
17 – 32    Repeat bars 1-16 but all turn LH and W stand still while M dance anti-clockwise round the set.     (W stand facing clockwise on bars 21-22 and on bars 29-30*)    (All are now half way round the set.)
33 – 40    1C and 3C dance RH across once round and then 1M, followed by 1W, and 3M , followed by 3W, dance clockwise half way round the outside of the set to return to original places.
41 – 48    2C and 4C repeat bars 33-40.
49 – 56    W dance figures of 8 round partners and corners, passing partner LSh to begin.
57 – 64    M dance figures of 8 round partners and corners, passing partner RSh to begin.
65 – 72    1C and 3C change places, 3C making an arch for 1C. 1C and 3C set to partners and then repeat back to places, 1C making an arch for 3C.
73 – 80    2C and 4C repeat bars 65-72 with 4C making the first arch.
81 – 88    8-H round and back.   

Sorry for the delay in posting the dance instructions. Here are the dances we covered this week.

FAIR DONALD
(Strathspey)
RSCDS Book 29  No. 4

Music                           DESCRIPTION
Bars
1 – 4        First couple, with nearer hands joined, dance down between second couple and cast up to place.

5 – 8        First couple, with nearer hands joined, dance down between third couple and cast up to first corners; second couple step up on bars seven and eight.

9 – 16        First couple reel of four with first corners passing partner with left shoulder at end of reel.

17 – 24    First couple reel of four with second corners finishing as in Fig.

25 – 26    First couple cast off into second place.

27 – 28    Second, first and third couples set.

29 – 32    Second, first and third couples turn partners with two hands.

        Repeat, having passed a couple.
       

THE FINDLAY’S JIG
32 bar jig for 3 couples
14 Social Dances for 2000, devised by Roy Goldring

Bars

1 – 8    1st couple lead down the middle and back finishing at the top in the centre. 2nd and 3rd couples step in on bar 8.

9 – 16    3 couple allemande.

17 – 20    1st couple dance in, face down and cast up to the top. 3rd and 2nd couples step down on 19-20.
21 – 24    2nd couple repeat bars 17-20.  1st and 3rd couples step down on    bars 23-24.

25 – 32    6 hands round and back.

        Repeat having passed a couple

        For Faustina and Ian Findlay
        Tune:    The Groom’s Jig by Ian Findlay

This week we will introduce another new formation – Corner Chain. We will also repeat the strathspey from last week.

No. 22 – The Lass of Richmond Hill
32-bar reel for three couples in a four-couple longwise set
RSCDS Second Book of Graded Scottish Country Dances

 Bars                         Description

1 – 8    1st couple lead down middle and up to the top to finish in the middle of the set, facing up.

9 – 14   1st couple cast off one place and, passing partner by the left, dance round first corners by the right and into the middle of the set. 2nd couple step up on bars 9-10.

15 – 16    1st couple , giving left hands, turn to face first corners.

17 – 24    1st couple and first corners dance a corner chain. 1st couple finish facing second corners.

25 – 32    1st couple and second corners dance a corner chain. 1st couple finish in second place on own sides.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Devised by Fiona Turnbull, RSCDS Richmond Branch.

First published in Richmond Anniversary Book 1952-1992.
©RSCDS Richmond Branch, printed with permission.

McMARLEY’S CROSS 
A 32 bar strathspey for 3 couples in a 3 couple set
Rose and Thistle Book, of dances devised by Wigan Thistle Society

BARS
1 – 4        1st, 2nd and 3rd couples turn partner by the right hand once round.
5 – 8        1st, 2nd and 3rd couples turn partner by the left hand once round.

9 – 12        1st couple set and cast off one place. (2nd couple step up bars 11 &12.)
13 – 16    1st and 2nd couples dance right hands across.

17 – 20    1st couple set and cast off one place. (3rd couple step up bars 19 & 20.)
21 – 24    1st and 3rd couples dance left hands across.

25 – 32    2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance a grand chain. (1st couple face 3rd couple
        and 2nd couple cross.)

Devised by – Lorna Grundy, Lisa Jones, Ailsa Longmuir, Rebecca Markey, Kathryn Parkinson, Katherine Small and Nicola Strachan, some of the Junior Members of the
Thistle Society, Wigan (1994)

This week we will continue to focus on the new step – Pas de Basque. No new formations will be covered this week. We will review reels of three in the dance Ecclefechan Feline.

The dance “The Mountain Stream” is on the program for the Beginner’s Ball at the end of the year.

THE MOUNTAIN STREAM
32 bar Reel for 2 couples
Graded and Social Dances 3,  devised by Roy Goldring

Bars
1 – 8    1st woman and 2nd man set twice then turn with right hands.    They finish in place.

9 – 16    1st man and 2nd woman set twice then turn with left hands. They finish in place – 1st man facing out.

17 – 24    1st man, followed by his partner, casts behind 2nd man, crosses up between 2nd couple, casts behind 2nd woman and crosses to 2nd place on own side.  1st woman finishes in 2nd woman’s place. 2nd couple step up on bars 23-24.

25 – 32    2nd and 1st couples dance right hands across and left hands across.

Repeat having passed a couple.

Tune:    Miss Jean Donaldson’s Hornpipe (Traditional –
                                   James Walker 1st Collection)

                                  
ECCLEFECHAN FELINE
32 bar Jig for 3 couples – McMurtry – 2006
Le Petit Chat Celtique

1 – 8    1st couple dance a figure of eight on their own side. 1st couple dance between the 2nd couple to begin, taking nearer hands briefly wherever possible.

9 – 16        1st, 2nd and 3rd couples dance a mirror reel of three on the sides, 1st couple dancing in and down, 2nd couple up and out and 3rd couple in and up to begin.

17 – 24    1st couple dance down for three steps, back for three steps and cast off one place, 2nd couple stepping up on bars 23 & 24.

25 – 28    1st man with 3rd couple and 1st woman with 2nd couple dance right hands across, passing right shoulders on the last bar to change places.

29 – 32    1st man with 2nd couple and 1st woman with 3rd couple dance left hands across. 1st couple finish in second place on own sides.

Repeat having passed a couple.

Dance Notes:  1st couple phrase step to finish on the sidelines at the end.

Recommended Recording:  Track #8 Just in Time on CD, Campbell’s Birl with Muriel Johnstone and Keith
Smith

Try to say the title quickly, 3 times in a row.

The Highland Fair
A 32 bar Jig for 2 couples
RSCDS Graded Book #6

MUSIC                    DESCRIPTION
Bars
1 – 8    First couple cast off and dance down behind own line for 4 skip change of step, turn outwards and dance four steps back to place.

9 – 16    First and second couples turn partner with right hand and return to place – 4 skip change of step, then repeat, giving left hand.

17 – 24    First couple, followed by second couple, lead down the middle for 4 skip change of step. Second couple, followed by first couple, lead up the middle to finish second couple at top and first couple in second place.  (Figs. 1 and 2.)

25 – 32    First and second couples dance right and left.

        Repeat, having passed a couple.

Up to this point we have done dances with just skip change of step or the slipping step. This week we will start teaching a new step – Pas De Basque. We will start out slow and try to bring the step up to speed.

We will also review figures learned last week. The Findlay’s Jig has an Allemande for three couples. Last week we did the Allemande for two couples. There are subtle differences but they are essentially the same. If time permits we will repeat Ecclefechan Feline from last week.

Here are the instructions for the dances we plan to cover this week.

THE FINDLAY’S JIG
32 bar jig for 3 couples
14 Social Dances for 2000, devised by Roy Goldring
Bars
1 – 8        1st couple lead down the middle and back finishing at the top in the centre. 2nd and 3rd couples step in on bar 8.

9 – 16        3 couple allemande.

17 – 20    1st couple dance in, face down and cast up to the top. 3rd and 2nd couples step down on 19-20.
21 – 24    2nd couple repeat bars 17-20.  1st and 3rd couples step down on    bars 23-24.

25 – 32    6 hands round and back.
Repeat having passed a couple

Lassie Will Ye Come and Dance
A 32 bar jig for 3 Couples
J Trew, Let’s All Dance

1-8    1st couple set twice, cross right hands and cast down round 2nd couple on opposite sides. 2nd couple moves up on 7 & 8.

9-16.1    1st woman dances a figure of 8 round 2nd couple, passing 2nd woman by the right shoulder, while 1st  man dances a figure of 8 round 3rd couple passing 3rd man right shoulders to begin. 1st couple finishes on opposite sides in 2nd place.

17-20    2nd, 1st, & 3rd C set twice with nearer hands joined on the sides.

21-24    1st couple turn with right hands 1 1/4 times to finish with 1st woman between 2nd couple and 1st man between 3rd couple.
25-28    1st woman with 2nd couple and 1st man with 3rd couple, set twice with nearer hands joined in threes across the set.
29-32    1st couple turn with right hands 1 1/4 times to finish on own sides in 2nd place.

ECCLEFECHAN FELINE
32 bar Jig for 3 couples
Bob McMurtry, Le Petit Chat Celtique

1 – 8        1st couple dance a figure of eight on their own side. 1st couple dance between the 2nd couple to begin, taking nearer hands briefly wherever possible.

9 – 16        1st, 2nd and 3rd couples dance a mirror reel of three on the sides, 1st couple dancing in and down, 2nd couple up and out and 3rd couple in and up to begin.

17 – 24    1st couple dance down for three steps, back for three steps and cast off one place, 2nd couple stepping up on bars 23 & 24.

25 – 28    1st man with 3rd couple and 1st woman with 2nd couple dance right hands across, passing right shoulders on the last bar to change places.

29 – 32    1st man with 2nd couple and 1st woman with 3rd couple dance left hands across. 1st couple finish in second place on own sides.

Repeat having passed a couple.

After a break for Thanksgiving we hope to see many of you out again. This week we are going to introduce two new figures.

Reels of 3 – A figure of 8 pattern on the floor for 3 dancers.

Allemande – An 8 bar figure where the 1st couple change places with the second couple. Here is a link to some instructions on the dictionary – Allemande for 2 couples

Here are the dances for this week

ECCLEFECHAN FELINE
32 bar Jig for 3 couples
By Bob McMurtry, published in Le Petit Chat Celtique, 2006

1 – 8        1st couple dance a figure of eight on their own side. 1st couple dance between the 2nd couple to begin, taking nearer hands briefly wherever possible.

9 – 16        1st, 2nd and 3rd couples dance a mirror reel of three on the sides, 1st couple dancing in and down, 2nd couple up and out and 3rd couple in and up to begin.

17 – 24    1st couple dance down for three steps, back for three steps and cast off one place, 2nd couple stepping up on bars 23 & 24.

25 – 28    1st man with 3rd couple and 1st woman with 2nd couple dance right hands across, passing right shoulders on the last bar to change places.

29 – 32    1st man with 2nd couple and 1st woman with 3rd couple dance left hands across. 1st couple finish in second place on own sides.

        Repeat having passed a couple.

THE AULD GREY CAT
A 32 bar reel for 3 couples
By Iain Boyd, published in  Let’s All Dance

 1- 8      1s cross RH & cast 1 place, 1s cross LH & cast up to original places
 9-16     1s dance reflection reels of 3 on sides (in & down to start)
17-24    1s lead down the middle & back to place
25-32    1s+2s dance Allemande

Here we are, starting a new dance season. In the first few weeks we just want the dancers to become comfortable in class. Try to listen to the music and when possible move in time to the music. I will again try to post the dances we do here. They should be up either just before class or soon afterward.

This week we have a couple more dances that will reinforce the few figures learned last week. Don’t worry about the term strathspey. We will introduce it in a couple of weeks. For now we will be doing just reels and jigs.

THE SELKIRK SETTLERS
A 40 bar reel for 3 couples by M. Zadworny from Let’s All Dance
1- 8      1s dance Fig of 8 round 2s
9-16     3s dance Fig of 8 round 2s
17-24   All men cross & dance Right Shoulder round partner back to places, all Ladies repeat
25-32   2s dance Fig of 8 round 1s+3s (down between 3s to start)
33-40   1s dance down for 3 bars & back to top, 1s cast to bottom