21 September 2015 - Scotia

Deborah taught the first hour, I taught the second hour.

The dances we taught:-

The Fairy Ring - (32 J n Circle) - Ian Boyd
Basic Knitting - (32 R 3) - Iachini
Braes of Breadalbane - (32 S 3) - Bk 21
Deil Amang the Tailors - (32 R 3) - Bk 14
_ _ _ _

The Cup -of-Gold Vine - (32 J 3) - C. Sigg
Dragonflies - (32 S 5some) - J. Lataille
Dancing in the Streets - (32 R 2) - Frans Ligtmans
Many Happy Returns - (32 S 3) - Briscoe
Arthur's Seat - (32 R 3) - 18C

**********

The Fairy Ring :- very basic, almost a throwaway dance, but a good warm up for brains and feet. It gets you into the swing of things very gently. Good to have in your hip pocket as one of your "go-to" dances, and we all have them.

Basic Knitting :- One of Deborah's favorites. She is a knitter, spinner and weaver and this fits the theme. There is nothing in this dance of any complexity. Crossings and some casting is basically it, oh, and a back-to-back followed by lead up and cast. So what makes this one of the ugliest dances I have ever seen? Why the fact that very, repeat very, few dancers can 'stay in the dance' for even 32-bars. At any one point one (or more) couples have forgotten to start, or which hand to cross with, or which shoulder to cross by. A humbling experience for sure. We all have know-it-alls in our class. This dance will take them down a notch or two especially if the really basic nature of the dance is emphasized. Dance.

Braes of Breadalbane :- Its been years since I have danced this one. It used to be a regular on the area ball programs but it has a "knot", a difficult piece in it, that isn't all that rewarding. I think that is why it has slipped in popularity shall we say. The music is darn nice but not good enough to keep the dance dancing. Good to see it back but my legs have deteriorated enough that it is now hard work to nail the cast back and RH turn.

Deil Amang the Tailors :- Always fun. To a point.  But for some of us (myself and a few other dance monsters) same old same old, over and over and over… gets old. And the dance list (NY's version anyway) is too large, and there are too few groups inwith to really support the idea and nobody outwith the NY Branch has bought into the idea. There are no monthly social parties as in San Francisco; a third of the dances removed/replaced yearly; and we are still teaching to the upcoming events. The newest additions aren't taught unless they are on upcoming events. There are only 4 session parties and 2 balls by the NY Branch. But there are also the Boat Basin and Rerr Terr (NJ events) Drewry Night, New Haven Ball, Kilts and Ghillies Ball, Boston Ball, Del. Valley Ball, three, count them, three Hogmanay's,and NY's is aimed at ceilidh dancers to bring in new dancers to the country style. So when do we the teachers have a chance to teach the newest list dances so that they are familiar, no sweat, dances on a ball? The reality is: We are always teaching to a Ball prep or two.

And this was our attempt to break out of the "tyranny of Ball prep". Rethink, you think?
Is there another approach? Anyone?

The Cup-of-Gold Vine :- My choice for a ball opener. Simple, no setting, no slip step (very important that is). Thoughtfully engaging? Not really, but it is not a throwaway. In the two beta 'tests' I ran I got some positive responses. It works for what I want it to do. Thumbs up for a warm up.

Dragonflies :-  I love this dance! It is one of my top ten dances of all time.  I use Susie Petrov's  5x32 Strathspey set from her LP "Hold the Lass Till I get Her". It fits! The dance is becoming popular and I am now getting requests for it from the floor when serious dancing is over and we have time for a "fun" dance. I believe that this dance is good enough to become part of the standard repertoire.

Help me Make it So.

If you wish to purchase the book - Always Enough to Dance -
contact the Santa Fe class through Deborah Dennison at:   d.a.i.d@worldnet.att.net

Dancing In the Streets :- I do not own a copy of this nice but simple dance by Frans Ligtmans. It is not listed on the SCDDB on Strathspey.

I am teaching off the cribs set out by the Nutmeg Workshop teachers.  I LIKE the entry into the Ladies Chain. I LIKE the closing chase that gets 1C into progressed place proper. This wee dance gets "only" two thumbs up because I only have two thumbs to give.  A lovely surprise.
** Recommended **

Does anyone have a copy of the original they could send me? Please oh pretty please?

Many Happy Returns :- A Mel Briscoe production. It is a nice dance and there is a wonderful recording to dance it to. Thumbs up!

Arthur's Seat :- Music by Dave Wiesler and Hanneke Cassel - Fabulous! Can we do it again?? Can we?