Dances for May 2, 2013

Two classes left in the year. This week we will be doing some dances from the Beginner's Social, the AGM and one popular dance.

Our summer classes begin the week after this class ends. Same night, same time. We will post the instructions for the dances on our web site at: Summer Classes


Video: The Rothesay Rant

The Rothesay Rant
TWELVE SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCES devised by Members of the Birmingham Branch, R.S.C.D.S., 1973
(a Jig for Four Couples in a Square Set)

Each couple has progressed one place clockwise at the end of every 32 bars.

1 – 4    Giving right hand to partner, change places with two skip change of step. Retain hold and give left hand to the next person so that all are joined in a circle, women facing in, men facing out, to set right and left.

5 – 8    Dropping right hands, change places with person on left hand to join in a circle again, men facing in, women facing out. Set right and left, women turning by the right to face the centre on bar 8 and forming square set

9 – 12    First couple with third couple, half Ladies’ Chain

13 – 16    First couple with third couple, half Rights and Lefts.

17 – 24    Similarly, second and fourth couples dance half Ladies’ Chain, followed by half Rights and Lefts, to finish as in

25 – 32    Eight hands round and back again.

Repeat from new position.
Note. Half Ladies’ Chain is started each time from the sides of the set, as in bar 9.   
Devised by Anna Holden


Video: The Sauchie Haugh

The Sauchie Haugh
Leaflet – No. 12
(Strathspey)

1 – 8    1st couple lead down the middle and up to finish facing down the dance; 2nd couple move in to face 1st couple.

9 – 16    1st and 2nd couples Rondel.

17 – 24    With nearer hands joined, 2nd and 1st women and 2nd and 1st  men advance one step, retire one step then turn partners once round and merge into four hands round to places on sides.  (2nd couple at top, 1st couple in second place.)

25 – 32    2nd and 1st couples all round pousette.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Devised by George S. Emmerson, 1967.

The Sauchie Haugh refers to the willowy meadow by the river (in this case the meadow which gave modern Sauchiehall Street in Glasgow its name).
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TACNotes:’
9-16    Cpls dance short way into place on bar 16.



Video: Mrs Stewart's Jig

Mrs Stewart's Jig
RSCDS Book XXXV - No.1
(Jig)

1 – 8     1st couple set and then 1st woman, followed by her partner, casts off; she crosses below 3rd couple and dances up behind 3rd  man to second place on the men's side; 1st  man dances below 3rd  woman and up the middle to second place on the women's side. 1st  couple finish facing down. 2nd  couple step up on bars 7 – 8.

9 – 16    2nd , 1st and 3rd couples dance Grand Chain, 2nd and 1st men finish facing out.

17 – 24    2nd and 1st couples dance Ladies’ Chain.

25 – 32 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples advance and retire and then 1st couple turn with the right hand one and a half times to second place on own sides.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Devised by Frans Ligtmans, Eindhoven, 1986.
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TACNotes:’
1 – 8    On bar 8, 1st cpl curve by right into 2nd place on opposite side, to finish facing down.



Video: The Twa Meenit Reel
         
THE  TWA  MEENIT  REEL.
Scottish Dance Archives:  No. 33, January 1974
Devised by Roy Clowes.

A reel for four couples in a longways set.

1 – 4    1st and 3rd ladies cast off one place and dance into the centre line of the dance to finish facing up the dance. Meanwhile 2nd and 4th men cast up one place and dance into the centre line of the dance to finish 2nd man facing 1st lady, and 4th man facing 3rd lady.
   
5 – 12    1st and 3rd ladies with 2nd and 4th men dance a reel of four up and down the centre line of the dance. To start the reel 2nd man passes 1st lady right shoulder and 4th man likewise with 3rd lady.

13 – 16    1st lady with 2nd man and likewise 3rd lady with 4th man turn each other three quarters round by the right hand to return to places.

17 – 20    1st man with 2nd lady, and likewise 3rd man with 4th lady, turn each other by the right hand once round and return to places.

21 – 24    1st couple with 2nd couple and likewise 3rd couple with 4th couple dance four hands round to the left.
   
25 – 28    All joining hands on the sidelines, dance advance and retire.

29 – 32    1st couple, right hands joined, lead to 4th place, while 2nd, 3rd and 4th couples join nearer hands and step up on bars 29-30.

Repeat with a new leading couple.

Recommended tune:-  The Twa Meenit Reel.