Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Dances for September 27, 2012

Here are the dances for this week. We are continuing to work towards the dances on the 1812 Tea Dance.

This week will be the last week you can buy tickets for the weekend at a discounted price. Remember to bring your money if you want to attend.




General  Stuart’s  Reel or
Book 10 – No. 3
The New Way of Gildon  (Reel)
   
1 – 4    1st man sets to 2nd woman and casts off one place. 2nd man steps up on bars 3–4.

5 – 8    1st woman sets to 2nd man and casts off to second place. 2nd woman steps up on bars 7–8.

9 – 12    1st couple turn first corners with the right hand then, passing each other by the  right shoulder, face second corners.

13 – 16    1st couple turn second corners with the left hand then, passing each other by the    right shoulder, face first corners.

17 – 24    1st couple set to first corners, set to each other across the dance, set to second corners, then set to each other up and down the dance and finish man facing up and woman facing down the dance. 1st couple turn by the right throughout.

25 – 30    1st couple dance reels with their corners. 1st couple begin the reels by giving right shoulders to second corners.

31 – 32    1st couple, giving right hands, cross over to own sides in second place.

Repeat, having passed a couple.




Hooper’s Jig
Miss Milligan’s Miscellany of Scottish Country Dances
32-bar jig for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

1 – 4    All clap and 1st couple, passing right shoulders, cross over and cast off one place on opposite sides.  2nd couple step up on bars 3-4.

5 – 8    1st and 3rd couples dance right hands across once round.

9 – 12    All clap and 1st couple, passing by the right, cross over and cast up to original places.  2nd couple step down on bars 11-12.

13 – 16    1st and 2nd couples dance left hands across once round.

17 – 18    1st man and 3rd woman, giving right hands, change places.

19 – 20    1st woman and 3rd man, giving right hands, change places, while 1st man and 3rd woman dance round ready to cross back.

21 – 22    1st man and 3rd woman, giving right hands, change places and 1st man faces out.  At the same time, 1st woman and 3rd man dance round ready to cross back.

23 – 24    1st woman and 3rd man, giving left hands, cross over with 3rd man guiding 1st woman into second place while 1st man casts off to second place.  2nd couple step up. 

25 – 32    2nd and 1st couples dance rights and lefts.

Repeat, having passed a couple.



Monymusk
RSCDS Book 11 – No. 2
32-bar strathspey for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

1 – 4    1st couple, giving right hands, turn once round and cast off one place on own sides. 2nd couple step up on bars 3-4.

5 – 8    1st couple, giving left hands, turn one-and-a-quarter times to finish 1st woman between the 2nd couple facing down, and 1st man between the 3rd couple, facing up.

9 – 12    1st woman with 2nd couple and 1st man with 3rd couple set twice. On bars 11-12, 1st couple turn to the right into second place on opposite sides.

13 – 16    2nd, 1st and 3rd couples set twice.

17 – 24    2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance six hands round and back.

25 – 30    2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance reels of three on the sides. 1st woman passes 3rd man and 1st man passes 2nd woman by the right to begin.

31 – 32    1st couple, giving right hands,  cross over to second place, own sides.

Repeat, having passed a couple.



Maxwell’s Rant
RSCDS Book 18 – No. 10
32-bar reel for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

1 – 16    1st couple, with 2nd and 3rd couples, dance reels of three on opposite sides and then on own sides. 2nd and 3rd couples remain on own sides throughout.

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

21 – 24    1st couple dance a half figure of eight round 2nd couple.

25 – 28    1st couple dance down between 3rd couple and cast up to second place on own sides.

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

Repeat, having passed a couple.





Thursday, September 20, 2012

Dances for September 20, 2012

This week we will continue working on cross over reels. We will start with Cadgers in the Cannongate. These reels are slightly different than the reels in Maxwell's Rant. We will try to finish with Maxwell's Rant, hopefully reinforcing the work we did last week.

We will also be covering General Stuart's Reel and Sandy O'er The Lea. Both from the 1812 Tea Dance.



Cadgers in the Canongate
RSCDS Book 9 – No. 10
48-bar reel for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

1 – 8    1st couple dance reels of three, 1st woman with 2nd and 3rd men and 1st man with 2nd and 3rd women. To begin 1st woman crosses down to pass 3rd man by the left and 1st man dances across to partner’s place to pass 2nd woman by the right. 1st couple finish in partner’s original place.

9 – 16    1st, 2nd and 3rd couples dance reels of three on own sides. To begin 1st man crosses down to pass 3rd man by the left and 1st woman dances across to original place to pass 2nd woman by the right. 1st couple finish facing 2nd woman.

17 – 18    1st couple, giving nearer hands, set to 2nd woman.

19 – 20    1st couple, with two pas de basque, move round to face 2nd man. (Note 2)

21 – 22    1st couple set to 2nd man.

23 – 24    1st couple, with two pas de basque retire to places.

25 – 28    1st and 2nd couples set, and dance right hands across halfway round.

29 – 32    2nd and 1st couples set, and dance left hands across back to places.

33 – 36    1st couple, giving right hands, cross over and cast off one place on opposite sides. 2nd couple step up on bars 35-36.

37 – 40    1st couple, giving left hands, turn one and a half times to finish in second place on own sides.

41 – 48    2nd and 1st couples dance rights and lefts.

Repeat, having passed a couple.





General  Stuart’s  Reel
RSCDS Book 10 – No. 3

1 – 4    1st man sets to 2nd woman and casts off one place. 2nd man steps up on bars 3–4.

5 – 8    1st woman sets to 2nd man and casts off to second place. 2nd woman steps up on bars 7–8.

9 – 12    1st couple turn first corners with the right hand then, passing each other by the     right shoulder, face second corners.

13 – 16    1st couple turn second corners with the left hand then, passing each other by the    right shoulder, face first corners.

17 – 24    1st couple set to first corners, set to each other across the dance, set to    second corners, then set to each other up and down the dance and finish man facing up and woman facing down the dance. 1st couple turn by the right throughout.

25 – 30    1st couple dance reels with their corners. 1st couple begin the reels by giving right shoulders to second corners.

31 – 32    1st couple, giving right hands, cross over to own sides in second place.

Repeat, having passed a couple.




Sandy o’er the Lea
Miss Milligan’s Miscellany of Scottish Country Dances
32-bar strathspey for two couples in a four-couple longwise set

1 – 8    1st and 2nd couples dance right hands across and left hands across back to place.

9 – 12    1st and 2nd couples set to partners and, giving right hands, cross over.

13 – 16    1st and 2nd couples repeat bars 9-12 back to places.

17 – 24    1st couple, followed by 2nd couple who dance up on the sides to begin, lead down the middle.  1st couple turn towards each other and lead up between 2nd couple who divide and dance down.  2nd couple then turn towards each other and lead up to follow 1st couple.  Both couples finish in the middle of the set facing up.

25 – 32    1st and 2nd couples dance an allemande.

Repeat, having passed a couple.






Maxwell’s Rant
RSCDS Book 18 – No. 10
32-bar reel for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

1 – 16    1st couple, with 2nd and 3rd couples, dance reels of three on opposite sides and then on own sides. 2nd and 3rd couples remain on own sides throughout.

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

21 – 24    1st couple dance a half figure of eight round 2nd couple.

25 – 28    1st couple dance down between 3rd couple and cast up to second place on own sides.

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

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Dances for September 13, 2012

Welcome back to dancing.

For the first few weeks we will be focussing on the dances for the 1812 commemoration weekend. The details can be found on the Ardbrae web site here

This season we are going to try to repeat one of the dances taught the previous week. Hopefully, the repeat the following week will help the dances become familiar. We always did repeat dances but it would a few weeks later. Of course this will only help you if you attended the lesson the previous week.

Anyway, we are starting off with what we think will be easier dances to give everyone a gentle start to the year.


Maxwell’s Rant
Book 18 – No. 10
32-bar reel for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

1 – 16    1st couple, with 2nd and 3rd couples, dance reels of three on opposite sides and then on own sides. 2nd and 3rd couples remain on own sides throughout.

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

21 – 24    1st couple dance a half figure of eight round 2nd couple.

25 – 28    1st couple dance down between 3rd couple and cast up to second place on own sides.

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

Repeat, having passed a couple.




The Birks of Invermay
Book 16 – No. 2
32-bar strathspey for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

1 – 4    1st man and 2nd woman, giving both hands, turn once round.

5 – 8    1st woman and 2nd man, giving both hands, turn once round to places. On bar 8, 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples dance into the middle of the set to join both hands and face up.

9 – 16    1st, 2nd and 3rd couples dance a promenade.

17 – 24    1st couple, giving right hands, cross over and cast off one place, lead up between 2nd couple, cross over to own sides and cast off one place. 2ndcouple step up on bars 23-24.

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

Repeat, having passed a couple.




Cold and Raw   
RSCDS Book 5
24 Bar Jig for 2 Couples

1 – 4    1C and 2C dance back to back.

5 – 8    1C and 2C, giving RH, turn once round.

9 – 12    1M dances across the set above 2W, behind her and across to 2M’s place. At same time 2M dances across the set above 1W, behind her and crosses to 1M’s place. 1M dances in front of 2M to begin.

13 – 16    1C and 2C clap and dance 4-H once round to left.

17 – 20    1W dances across the set below partner, behind him and across to 2W’s place. At same time 2W dances across below her partner, behind him and across to 1W’s place. 1W dances in front of 2W to begin.

21 – 24    2C and 1C clap and dance 4-H once round to left.





The Deil amang the Tailors
Book 14 – No. 7
32-bar reel for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

1 – 4    1st and 2nd couples set to partners and dance right hands across halfway round.

5 – 8    2nd and 1st couples set to partners and dance left hands across halfway round to original places.

9 – 16    1st couple lead down the middle and up to finish in the middle of the set facing up. 2nd couple step in.

17 – 24    1st and 2nd couples dance an allemande.

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

Repeat, having passed a couple.




Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Dances for May 10, 2012

We have selected a few of the dances from the AGM program to review this week. These dances should be the ones that are least familiar.

Our summer class begins next week. The dances for that class will be posted on our web site. Ottawa Dance Scottish So, please check there for the dances.

Video: The Silver Tassie This was taken from a social so the dancing isn't the best but it will give you an idea of the dance

Video Miss Johnston of Ardrossan From the Ottawa branch ball in 2007. Again not the best dancing but you can get and idea of the dance

Video: Miss Johnston of Ardrossan From Vancouver. Another social dance but it has a difference camera angle

Video: Lord Elgin's Reel From a social dance in Texas. Unfortunately, the first couple doesn't know the dance and makes a few mistakes. (Aside: I would ask them to step back from their partners. Just not enough room to really stride out and dance.)




The Silver Tassie
RSCDS Leaflet – No. 1
(Strathspey)

MUSIC                      DESCRIPTION
Bars
1 – 4    1st, 2nd and 3rd couples, giving right hands to partners, cross over and joining hands on the sides, set.

5 – 8    Repeat bars 1 – 4.

9 – 16    1st couple dance a figure of eight round 2nd couple, who stand still. 1st couple dance down between 2nd couple, crossing over, to begin the figure. 3rd couple also dance a figure of eight round 2nd couple, beginning by casting up to top place, then dancing down crossing over.

17 – 24    1st couple, followed by 2nd and 3rd couples, dance down the middle for four steps. 1st couple dance up the middle, while 2nd and 3rd couples divide to allow 1st couple through. 2nd couple meet and dance up between 3rd couple, who then meet and dance up.

25 – 32    1st and 2nd couple Rondel, i.e.
   
25    1st couple dance down under the arch made by 2nd couple, who dance up.
26-27    2nd and 1st women cross in front of partners, then all cast to meet the other woman or     man on the opposite sides and join nearer hands.
28    2nd and 1st women and at the same time 2nd and 1st men cross to own sides, the women passing under the arch made by the men.
29-30    1st man and 1st woman cross in front of 2nd man and 2nd woman, then all cast to meet partners in original places as in bar 25.
31-32    1st couple dance under the arch made by 2nd couple and all dance out to own sides, having changed places.


Repeat, having passed a couple.


Devised by John Drewry
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Manual of Scottish Country Dancing:
Bars 17 – 24    1st, 2nd and 3rd couples give nearer hands throughout, i.e. they dance down and dance up.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TACNotes:’
17-24    Note use of word “dance”, i.e. all 3 cpls use nearer hands, down and up.
25-32    On bar 32, cpls dance straight into places.





MISS JOHNSTONE OF ARDROSSAN
14 Social Dances for 2000, by Roy Goldring
32 bar reel for 5 couples

Bars
1 – 4    1st couple set and cast off one place. 2nd couple step up on bars 3 – 4.

5 – 8     1st couple, followed by 3rd couple, dance up between 2nd couple and cast off. 1st couple finish in 3rd place, 3rd couple finish in 2nd place.

9 – 16    1st, 4th and 5th couples dance reels of three on the sides. To begin:- 1st couple cross down to 4th place, 4th couple dance out and up, 5th couple dance in and up.

17 – 24    1st, 3rd and 2nd couples dance reels of three on the sides. To begin:-  1st couple cross up to second place on own side, 3rd couple dance out and down, 2nd couple dance in and down.

25 – 28    1st couple set and cast off one place. 4th couple step up on bars 27 – 28.

29 – 32    1st couple, followed by 5th couple, dance up between 4th couple and cast off. 1st couple finish in 5th place, 5th couple finish in 4th place.

Repeat from new positions

Note:    1st couple should begin and end each reel in 3rd place in the sidelines.
Tune:   The Ardrossan Hornpipe by Muriel Johnstone









LORD ELGIN’S REEL
RSCDS Book 26  No. 5
(Strathspey)

MUSIC.                     DESCRIPTION.
1 – 4    First man sets to second woman and turns her with both hands.

5 – 8    First woman sets to second man, and turns with both hands.

9 – 16    First couple, giving right hands, lead down, cross over below second couple, cast behind third couple, lead up to the top, cross, cast off and cross to face first corners.

17 – 24    First couple turn first corner with right hand, dance ½ round partner passing right, turn second corner with left hand and pass partner by left. They finish, first woman between second couple facing down, first man between third couple facing up.

25 – 32    Joining hands 3 and 3 (Fig.) all 6 advance 1, retire 1, twice. Then turn with two hands 1 ¼ times to second place on own side.

Tune:  Lee Mills Marshall
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TACNotes:’
15-16    2nd cpl step up.





REST AND BE THANKFUL
The Grampian Collection of Scottish Country Dances by Jack McConachie
Longways Sets in Reel time for 4 (or 5) couples — 3–couple dance — 32– Bar sequence.

STEPS: “Skip change” step throughout.

Bars
1 – 4    First couple, giving right hands, cross over and cast off one place on the opposite side. Second couple move up on Bars 3 – 4.

5 – 8    First couple, giving left hands, cross over and first lady casts up round second lady, while first man casts off round third man, to finish beside their 1st Corner.

9 – 12    First couple, holding their 1st Corner in Promenade position on their right, leads them round behind their 2nd Corner and places them in the opposite 1st Corner position. At the same time the 2nd Corners Advance towards each other and Retire.

13 – 16    First couple turn each other with left hands to finish beside their 2nd Corner. (Turn strongly for one and a quarter times.)

17 – 20    First couple, holding their 2nd Corner in Promenade position on their right, leads them round behind their 1st Corners (who are on the wrong side) and places them in the opposite 2nd Corner position. At the same time the 1st Corners Advance towards each other and Retire.

21 – 24    First couple turn each other with left hands to finish facing their usual 1st Corner position (first lady faces third lady while first man faces second man).

25 – 28    First couple dance a half Reel of Four diagonally across the Set with their 1st Corners —first couple, passing by the right to begin, curve by their right round the 1st Corner position, while the Corners pass each other by the left in the middle to their own sides.

29 – 32    First couple, passing each other by the right in the middle, dance a half Reel of Four diagonally across the Set with their 2nd Corners—again passing by the right to begin, then crossing over by the right to finish in 2nd place on their own sides.

First couple repeat from the 2nd place and cross by the left, down between fourth couple, to the bottom. Each couple repeat in turn as first couple.
                               

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Dances for May 3, 2012

Here are the dances for this week. Again we are reviewing the dances for the Beginner Ball on Saturday.  If we get through all these dances the only one we will not have covered this week and last is Braveheart. We did Braveheart recently on April 12, 2012



 A DANCING CAREER
or
A DANCE IN KOREA
THE GREENBURN BOOK, A Collection of Scottish Country Dances by JOHN DREWRY, 1997 – 1998
devised in September 1997 for Campbell and Isobel Barclay of Kippford and for the dancers in Korea

Jig –  2 couples – 32 bars

BARS

1 – 4    1st couple, joining nearer hands, dance down between 2nd couple and then cast up back to place.

5 – 8    1st and 2nd couples dance right hands across.

9 – 16    1st couple dance a figure of eight round 2nd couple’s places. At the same time, 2nd couple set to each other, cross giving right hands, set on opposite sides and cross back to own sides giving right hands. 2nd couple stay facing out.

17 – 20    1st couple lead down the middle and 2nd couple dance up on the sides to first place and then follow 1st couple down the middle.

21 – 24    2nd couple, followed by 1st couple, lead up the middle and stay in the middle ready for

25 – 32    2nd and 1st couples dance a two-couple promenade.

Repeat, having passed a couple.



Granville Market
RSCDS Second Book of Graded Scottish Country Dances
32-bar jig for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

Bars                         Description

1 – 8    1st and 2nd couples dance right hands across and left hands back.

9 – 12    1st couple, giving right hands, cross and cast off one place. 2nd couple step up on bars 11-12.

13 – 16    1st couple dance a half figure of eight up around 2nd couple. 1st couple finish facing first corners.

17 – 18    1st couple, giving right hands, turn first corners.

19 – 20    1st couple pass each other in the middle by the right to face second corners.

21 – 22    1st couple, giving right hands, turn second corners.

23 – 24    1st couple pass each other by the right to finish in second place on own sides.

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

Devised by Elinor M Vandegrift, RSCDS Seattle Branch.

Granville Market is on Granville Island in Vancouver, B.C.

Inscribed to the children and organisers of the Vancouver Branch Children’s Scottish Country Dance workshops. It was presented at Vancouver Branch’s Whistler Weekend, May 1985.




Jimmy’s Fancy
RSCDS Book 14 – No. 11
32-bar strathspey for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

Bars                        Description

1 – 8    1st and 2nd couples dance right hands across for three steps and left hands back. 1st couple cast off one place on own sides while 2nd couple dance up to first place.

9 – 16    1st woman with 2nd couple, 1st man with 3rd couple dance three hands round and back. 1st couple finish facing first corners.

17 – 24    1st couple set to and turn corners to finish between them.

25 – 32    1st couple lead down between 3rd couple, cross over to own sides, cast up round 3rd couple, dance up between 2nd couple and cast off to second place on own sides.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Thompson’s Compleat Collection of 200 Favourite Country Dances c. 1755.

Original tune: Lord Seaforth (Surenne)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TACNotes:    29-30   Nearer hand lead up.





THE MAD HATTER
Happy to Meet
A three couple, 32 bar jig for four couples in a longwise set.

1 – 8    First couple dance down between second and third couples with nearer hands joined, cast up round third couple, dance up between second couple with nearer hands joined and cast off into second place.  Second couple move up on bars 7-8.

9 – 12    First couple advance and retire with first corners.

13 – 16    First couple dance back to back with first corners.

17 – 20    First couple advance and retire with second corners.

21 – 24    First couple dance back to back with second corners.

25 – 32    Second, first and third couples dance six hands round and back.

Repeat having passed a couple.

“The Mad Hatter” was devised by Iain Boyd.




Wisp of Thistle
RSCDS Book XXXVII    No.4
(Strathspey)

Music                   Description
Bars
1 – 4    1st and 3rd couples dance “Petronella turns” into the middle of the dance (1st man and 3rd woman back to back) and set to partners.

5 – 8    1st and 3rd couples dance a half reel of four.

9 – 10    3rd and 1st couples dance “Petronella turns” to own sides. (3rd couple are in first place and 1st couple in third place.)

11 – 12    3rd, 2nd and 1st couples set joining nearer hands on the sides.

13 – 16    3rd, 2nd and 1st couples turn partners with right hand to finish             ready for allemande.

17 – 24    3rd, 2nd and 1st couples allemande.

25 – 28    1st couple cross over giving right hands and cast off one place. 2nd couple step up on bars 27–28.

29 – 32    1st couple dance a half figure of eight round 2nd couple.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Note: At the end of their second turn at the dance, 1st couple finish the half figure of eight by dancing down to fourth place while 4th couple step up to third place on bars 31–32.

Choreographed by Pat Kent in honour of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, who, when she had seen the Scottish Country dancers perform in the Tattoo in Nova Scotia, stated that they looked like “wisps of thistle”.

Devised by Pat Kent (Nova Scotia Branch).





THE MOUNTAIN STREAM

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

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)




THE PIPER AND THE PENGUIN

The Scotia Suite of Scottish Country Dances devised by Roy Goldring
(Reel for Four Couples in a Square Set)

Bars        Description

1 – 4    The women dance round their corners, passing in front of them to begin.

5 – 8    The women dance right hands across and remain in the centre.

9 – 12    The women dance round their partners, passing in front of them to begin.

13 – 16    The women dance left hands across and finish in original places.

17 – 32    The men repeat bars 1–16, but dance in front of partners before dancing right hands across, and in front of their corners before dancing left hands across.

33 – 36    1st and 3rd couples, giving right hands, turn partners one and a quarter times.

37 – 40    1st man, followed by his partner, dances between 4th couple and cast back to place. Similarly, 3rd couple dance between 2nd couple and cast back to place.

41 – 48    1st and 3rd couple dance rights and lefts.

49 – 64    2nd and 4th couples repeat bars 33–48, 2nd couple dancing between 1st couple and 4th couple dancing between 3rd couple.   

65 – 72    The women dance in and pull back right shoulders (2 bars), dance out (2 bars), and cast clockwise half way round the set to opposite woman’s place.

73 – 80    The men repeat bars 65–72, but pull back left shoulders at the end of bar 74, and cast anticlockwise.

81 – 84    All turn partners with the right hand, just over once round, to finish in promenade hold facing anticlockwise.

85 – 88    All promenade halfway round the set. On bar 87, all release right hands and the men lead their partners to original places ready for the bow and curtsey.

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Dances for April 26, 2012

Now that the Ottawa branch ball is over we will be focusing on the dances for the Beginner Ball. The cribs for the beginner ball are available from the Ardbrae website here


Video: Petronella



Beach Dancer
A 32 bar Jig for 3 couples in a 4 couple longwise set
For Margaret Blackhall, a teacher at Kamo Club who lives on the coast at Ngunguru.
Devised by Eddy West 2003.
1-4    First couple set and cross giving right hand.
5-8    First couple set to second couple and change places on the side giving left hands
(men remain facing out).

9-16    Second and first couples dance a ladies chain, first man finishes facing out.
First couple must continue into the next figure without hesitation.

17-20    First man casts down round third lady and crosses to third place, own side then casts up behind third man to second place, first lady follows to own side third place then dances up the middle to second place on own side.
21-24    First and second ladies, and at the same time first and second men, turn giving left hands.

25-32    Second, first and third couples dance reels of three on the sides, first couple passing third couple right shoulder to start.

Repeat having passed a couple
Suggested recorded music "Over the Pond II" - Sound Company CD "On Track".






Petronella
RSCDS Book 1 – No. 1
32-bar reel for two couples in a four-couple longwise set

Bars                        Description
1 – 2    1st couple dance a petronella turn, i.e. they dance a three-quarters turn, moving diagonally to their right into the middle of the set and pull back right shoulders to face partner.

3 – 4    1st couple set to each other.

5 – 16    1st couple repeat bars 1– 4 always moving to the right until they are back in original positions.

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.

Introduced at Nathaniel Gow’s Annual Ball in Edinburgh, 1820.
J P Boulogne:  The Ball-Room or the Juvenile Pupil’s Assistant, Glasgow 1827.

Original tine:  Petronella (Traditional)



                   


Balmoral Strathspey  (Strathspey)
RSCDS Book 22 – No. 3

MUSIC                    DESCRIPTION
Bars
1 – 8    First couple with second, and third couple with fourth, dance right and    left.

9 – 12    First couple with second, and third couple with fourth, set and dance right         hands across half way  round.

13 – 16    All set, and, giving right hands in passing, cross to own sides. (The order is now 2, 1, 4, 3.)

17 – 24    Reels of four at the sides, second couple facing first, and fourth couple facing third.  (Fig. 1.)

25 – 32    First, fourth and third couples allemande to finish, first couple at bottom, fourth couple in third, and third couple in second place.  (Fig. 2.)

Repeat, with a new couple leading.

Devised by John A. Charles, Kawerau, New Zealand.

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The Manual of Scottish Country Dancing:
Bars 17-24    1st, 4th and 3rd couples should complete the reel in seven steps using the eight to dance towards partner for the allemande.   
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TACNotes:’
17-24    1st, 4th & 3rd cpls dance reel in 7 bars &, on bar 24, dance into position for allemande.





The Wellingtonia Reel
12 Scottish Country Dances  devised by Mervyn Short
32 bar Reel for 3 couples

Bars

1 – 4    1C & 2C set and link, 1M finish facing out.
5 - 8    1M, followed by partner, casts up and dances down the middle to finish facing 3M, 1W faces 2M.

9 – 16    1M with 3C and 1W with 2C dance reels of three across, passing right shoulders to begin; finish as started.

17 – 20    1M & 3M and 1W & 2M turn right hands.
21 - 24    1M & 3W and 1W & 2W turn left hands, 1C finish in the centre facing down, (1M between 3C, 1W between 2C).

25 – 28    1M followed by partner, casts up one place on men’s side and dances across to the opposite side in second place. 1W finishes in second place on the men’s side.
29 - 32    1C turn right hands one and a half times, to finish in second place own sides.

Repeat having passed a couple.

This dance was inspired by the magnificent Wellingtonia trees near     Finchampstead, Berkshire which I regularly travel past on the way to class.

Tune:  The Burnt Leg




McMARLEY’S CROSS  3S32
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, 3rd and 1st 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)




Flowers of Edinburgh
RSCDS Book 1 – No. 6
32-bar reel for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

Bars                        Description

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)

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Dances for April 19, 2012

Here are the dances for this week. These are from the welcome dance for the Ottawa branch ball. Again these are dances worth knowing and will likely come up again on a social.


THE DANCING BEES
24 GRADED and SOCIAL DANCES by Roy Goldring
32 bar reel for 3 couples

Bars
1 – 8    First couple lead down the middle, turn inwards on bar 5 and lead up. They finish in the centre of the dance in second place, facing up. Second couple step up on bars 3 – 4.

9 – 16    First couple, taking promenade hold, dance a reel of “three” with second couple. To begin, first couple pass second woman by right shoulder. First couple finish in the centre of the dance, facing down.

17 – 24    First couple dance a reel of “three” with third couple. To begin, first couple pass third woman by left shoulder. First couple finish in the centre of the dance in second place, man facing down, woman facing up.

25 – 28    First couple set to each other then dance a petronella turn to second place on own side.

29 – 32    All turn partners once round with right hands.

Repeat having passed a couple.

For Penny and Robert Bee
Recommended tune:-  Redheugh  (M.A.J.)





Muirland Willie
RSCDS, Book 21
32-bar jig for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

Bars                        Description

1 – 4    1st couple lead down the middle crossing over, dance out through third place and up to second place. 2nd couple set and, giving right hands, cross down to finish in third place. 3rd couple cast up to top and, giving right hands, cross over. All are now on opposite sides of the dance in the order 3, 1, 2.

5 – 8    All three couples set and turn with both hands to own sides of the set.

9 – 12    3rd couple lead down the middle crossing over, dance out through third place and up to second place. 1st couple set and, giving right hands, cross down to finish in third place. 2nd couple cast up to top and, giving right hands, cross over. All are again on opposite sides of the dance in the order 2, 3, 1.

13 – 16    All three couples set and turn with both hands to own sides of the set.

17 – 20    1st couple lead up to top. 2nd and 3rd couples step down on bars 19-20.

21 – 24    1st couple set twice to each other, 2nd couple joining them in bars 23-24 as both couples advance to meet partners in the middle of the set.

25 – 32    1st and 2nd couples dance a poussette.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Collected from an old MS.




THE BYRON STRATHSPEY
The Deeside Book of Scottish Country Dances, Part 2 by John Drewry
Strathspey   :   3 - couple set   :   32 bars
Tune   :   “The Byron Strathspey”    by Andrew Rankine

Bars

1 – 4    1st, 2nd and 3rd couples turn petronella-wise to form a straight line down the centre of the dance with the ladies facing down and the men facing up, then all set to partners.

5 – 8    1st, 2nd and 3rd couples turn partners with both hands one and a quarter times to return to original places.       

9 – 12    2nd lady dances right hands across with 1st couple, while 2nd man dances right hands across with 3rd couple.

13 – 16    Passing his partner by the right, 2nd man dances left hands across with 1st couple, while 2nd woman dances left hands across with 3rd couple. At the end, 2nd couple dance in to join hands in promenade hold facing up, 1st couple stay facing out, and 3rd couple return to places.

17 – 24    2nd couple, dancing together, dance a reel of three across the dance with 1st couple, passing 1st lady by the right to begin.

At the end:- 2nd couple dance up the centre of the dance to top place, 1st couple dance down to second place then in to meet behind 2nd couple, and 3rd couple, on Bar 24, dance in on the left foot to meet, covering with 1st couple.

25 – 32    2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance a three-couple allemande to finish in order 3, 1, 2.

Repeat from new positions.




The Reel of the Royal Scots
RSCDS Leaflet - No.7
(Reel)

Fig - Bar 16

MUSIC                                  DESCRIPTION
Bars
1 - 2    1st and 2nd women turn with the left hand, while 1st and 2nd men turn with the right hand, 1st couple finishing back to back in the centre of the set in second place.

3 - 4    2nd, 1st and 3rd couples set as in double triangles.
   
5 - 6    1st and 3rd women turn with the right hand, while 1st and 3rd men turn with the left hand to change places.

7 - 8    2nd, 3rd and 1st couples set as in double triangles.

9 - 16    1st couple followed by 3rd couple, dance up between the 2nd couple and cast off, then dance down to third place and cast up to second place, 3rd couple finishing in original places. (1st and 3rd couples join nearer hands with partner on every occasion when dancing up or down in the centre).

17 – 24    1st couple turn first corners with right hands. 1st couple pass each other by the right shoulder. 1st couple turn second corners with right hands. 1st couple passing right shoulders cross to second place on own sides.

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

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Devised by Roy Goldring to celebrate the 350th  Anniversary of The Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment) in 1983.
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TACNotes:’
17-24    Corners dance for 4 bars.