First Hour:
Bramble Circle - (32 J n Circle) - Vandegrift
Lady Catherine Bruce's Reel - (32 J 2) - Graded
Rakes of Glasgow - (32 S 3) - Bk 11
Second Hour:
Cutty Sark - (32 J 3) - Bk 40
Asilomar Romantic - (32 S 3) - SF2
Flight of the Falcon - (32 J 3) - Priddey
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
This post is commit free - aren't you lucky!
Wednesday, June 28, 2017
8 May 2017 – Scotia
First Hour:-
The Loch Ness Monster - (32 R 1 Circle) - Boyd
Lady Wynd - (32 J 3) - Goldring
Lady Peak's Strathspey - (32 S 3) - Drewry
Second Hour:-
Say ye my wee thing - (32 J 2) - Bk 25
Gordon of Straloch - (32 S 3) - Price
The Compleat Gardener - (32 J 3) - 3rd Graded
Davy Nick Nack - (32 H 3) - Campbell
* ** *** **** ** * ** **** *** ** *
Saw ye my wee thing:- A simple mind free opening jig.
Gordon of Straloch:- I wrote this while listening to the CD Waverley Station. Their set of strathspey airs had me entranced, especially the third and fourth tunes of the set. [Here] (Rorate Coeli/I Long for thy virginitie). The later is from the Gordon's Straloch lute book of 1627. [Rbt Gordon]
I was fascinated by this tune which is in a single phrase - all A no B part - and this dance came to me.
The Compleat Gardener:- This dance will bite you if you rely on muscle memory. The 2nd figure is a cross and cast movement that has 8 bars of music and about 9 bars of distance. Dancers want to stop on the sidelines in 2nd place. They need to get through the center to face their first corners. And not getting there can really screw up the Corners Pass & Turn.
The Loch Ness Monster - (32 R 1 Circle) - Boyd
Lady Wynd - (32 J 3) - Goldring
Lady Peak's Strathspey - (32 S 3) - Drewry
Second Hour:-
Say ye my wee thing - (32 J 2) - Bk 25
Gordon of Straloch - (32 S 3) - Price
The Compleat Gardener - (32 J 3) - 3rd Graded
Davy Nick Nack - (32 H 3) - Campbell
* ** *** **** ** * ** **** *** ** *
Saw ye my wee thing:- A simple mind free opening jig.
Gordon of Straloch:- I wrote this while listening to the CD Waverley Station. Their set of strathspey airs had me entranced, especially the third and fourth tunes of the set. [Here] (Rorate Coeli/I Long for thy virginitie). The later is from the Gordon's Straloch lute book of 1627. [Rbt Gordon]
I was fascinated by this tune which is in a single phrase - all A no B part - and this dance came to me.
The Compleat Gardener:- This dance will bite you if you rely on muscle memory. The 2nd figure is a cross and cast movement that has 8 bars of music and about 9 bars of distance. Dancers want to stop on the sidelines in 2nd place. They need to get through the center to face their first corners. And not getting there can really screw up the Corners Pass & Turn.
Tuesday, June 27, 2017
1 May 2017 – Scotia
First Hour:
The Fairy Ring - (32 J n circle) - Boyd
Quicksilver Reel - (40 R 3) - Harrison
Braes of Balquhider - (32 S 3) - 18C
Anderson's Rant - (32 R 3) - MMM
Second Hour:
Catch the Wind - (32 R 3) - Butterfield
Born to Dance - (32 J 3) - Collin
Aging Gracefully - (32 S 3) - Broman (Bk 47)
Once Upon a Time - (32 R 3) - Collin
Dancing in Kirkcudbright - (32 S 4) - Collin
Deil Amang the Tailors - (32 R 3) - Bk 14
** * ** * ** * ** * ** * ** * ** * **
Catch the Wind :– Why? Because it is a good beginner friendly dance.
Born to Dance:– Why? Because it moves! The chase out of the Hands Across ends weird - your group of three splits up and the lines that form are all men or all women, and the lines spring forward! - no resting on your laurels, however well deserved.
This one is short listed for the next Kilts and Ghillies' Tea Dance, along with Dave Macfarlane's Reel, Surprising Hannah and Dancing in Kirkcudbright. One (or more) will be on the program!
Aging Gracefully:– Why? because the move in Surprising Hannah caused me to rethink and revise the way I teach the middle 16 bars of this dance. I like the strength of the move from sideline to sideline. And if you are no longer as able as you once were you can still dance the turn BH into cross R shoulder from the midline and have it look good. And because the reel is different and fun!
Once Upon a Time:– Simple and sweet. Worth revisiting.
Dancing in Kirkcudbright:– The whole dance is lovely, just lovely, but it is for those who have the brains that thrive on bent figures and transitions. Not all do.
Dancers especially liked the first figure. I had several positive comments. Shortlisted. Two thumbs up.
The Fairy Ring - (32 J n circle) - Boyd
Quicksilver Reel - (40 R 3) - Harrison
Braes of Balquhider - (32 S 3) - 18C
Anderson's Rant - (32 R 3) - MMM
Second Hour:
Catch the Wind - (32 R 3) - Butterfield
Born to Dance - (32 J 3) - Collin
Aging Gracefully - (32 S 3) - Broman (Bk 47)
Once Upon a Time - (32 R 3) - Collin
Dancing in Kirkcudbright - (32 S 4) - Collin
Deil Amang the Tailors - (32 R 3) - Bk 14
** * ** * ** * ** * ** * ** * ** * **
Catch the Wind :– Why? Because it is a good beginner friendly dance.
Born to Dance:– Why? Because it moves! The chase out of the Hands Across ends weird - your group of three splits up and the lines that form are all men or all women, and the lines spring forward! - no resting on your laurels, however well deserved.
This one is short listed for the next Kilts and Ghillies' Tea Dance, along with Dave Macfarlane's Reel, Surprising Hannah and Dancing in Kirkcudbright. One (or more) will be on the program!
Aging Gracefully:– Why? because the move in Surprising Hannah caused me to rethink and revise the way I teach the middle 16 bars of this dance. I like the strength of the move from sideline to sideline. And if you are no longer as able as you once were you can still dance the turn BH into cross R shoulder from the midline and have it look good. And because the reel is different and fun!
Once Upon a Time:– Simple and sweet. Worth revisiting.
Dancing in Kirkcudbright:– The whole dance is lovely, just lovely, but it is for those who have the brains that thrive on bent figures and transitions. Not all do.
Dancers especially liked the first figure. I had several positive comments. Shortlisted. Two thumbs up.
30 April 2017 - Sunday Tea Dance
The program:
Driving Through Eutaw 32 J 3
The Shores of Solway 32 S 3
Anderson'a Rant 32 R 3
John Cass 32 J 5
The Johnsonville Diamond 32 S 2
No 32 R 3/3l
Les Remparts de Séville 32 J 3
Chris Ronald's Strathspey 32 S 3
The British Grenadiers 32 R 3
The Abbott of Unreason 32 J 3
The Robertson Rant 80 S 4 square
Zytglogge 32 R 3
Joe Foster's Jig 32 J 3/3L
Peggy Spouse MBE 32 S 3
More Bees A-Dancin' 32 R 3
Saw ye my wee thing 32 J 2
Swirling Snow 32 S 3/3L
Deil Amang the Tailors 32 R 3
Program by Peter Price and Sandra Bethray.
The wonderful Band: Dave Wiesler and Katy McNally:
Driving Through Eutaw 32 J 3
The Shores of Solway 32 S 3
Anderson'a Rant 32 R 3
John Cass 32 J 5
The Johnsonville Diamond 32 S 2
No 32 R 3/3l
Les Remparts de Séville 32 J 3
Chris Ronald's Strathspey 32 S 3
The British Grenadiers 32 R 3
The Abbott of Unreason 32 J 3
The Robertson Rant 80 S 4 square
Zytglogge 32 R 3
Joe Foster's Jig 32 J 3/3L
Peggy Spouse MBE 32 S 3
More Bees A-Dancin' 32 R 3
Saw ye my wee thing 32 J 2
Swirling Snow 32 S 3/3L
Deil Amang the Tailors 32 R 3
Program by Peter Price and Sandra Bethray.
The wonderful Band: Dave Wiesler and Katy McNally:
25 April 2017 – New Haven
The last session of Ball Prep! Thank God!
Deborah's Request - (32 R 3 - as a jig) - Price
A Reel for Alice - (32 R 5) - Goldring
Shores of Solway - (32 S 3) - Goldring
Les Remparts de Séville - (32 J 3) - Latour (Bk 50)
Johnsonville Diamond - (32 S 2) - Downey
Anderson's Rant - (32 R 3) - MMM
Pat Morrison's Delight - (32 S 2) - Anagnostakis (Nutmeg Coll.)
Black Leather Jig - (32 R 3) - Selling (DelVal25)
** * ** ** * ** ** * ** ** * ** ** * **
I really like A Reel for Alice, and I mean a lot! Inchmickery is the more popular 5 couple dance in this area, they can have it - I want this one. It was short listed for the Tea Dance but didn't make it on the program. It is again short listed for next year's tea dance and we will see. I will make no promises as other considerations might again rule it out. So we will see.
Shores of Solway grows on me. The central movement - set to corner dance 'round partner by the right - has a different name here. We call it "Set and Flirt" because Chris and Sue Ronald call it that in their dance Ann of Scotia (32 S 3 - Intl. Branch - World Wide Weavings).
How to put this? …
Eye contact can come in a variety of strengths. Some dancers simply can't. They can not even look you in the face but look at your chest, over your shoulder, etc. etc. But I think eye contact is social - it can be flirty but should not be a leer. Social. And if you are making anyone uncomfortable you are overdressed.
That said: the Set to corner and dance round partner is almost never done with any eye contact.
What I see are dancers so close together that they can not turn their head far enough to actually see their partner much less make eye contact. Bottom line - just plain ugly.
My solution - set to the right and set strongly enough to the left that you are past your partner and do not end back to back. Now a turn of head and you can see your partner as you dance around them. The movement is bigger and quite elegant. And if you both want it flirty it will be.
Note: the original instructions say "Set to fist corner and dance around each other by the right…"
They say nothing about ending the setting back to back with partner. Hmm.
Deborah's Request - (32 R 3 - as a jig) - Price
A Reel for Alice - (32 R 5) - Goldring
Shores of Solway - (32 S 3) - Goldring
Les Remparts de Séville - (32 J 3) - Latour (Bk 50)
Johnsonville Diamond - (32 S 2) - Downey
Anderson's Rant - (32 R 3) - MMM
Pat Morrison's Delight - (32 S 2) - Anagnostakis (Nutmeg Coll.)
Black Leather Jig - (32 R 3) - Selling (DelVal25)
** * ** ** * ** ** * ** ** * ** ** * **
I really like A Reel for Alice, and I mean a lot! Inchmickery is the more popular 5 couple dance in this area, they can have it - I want this one. It was short listed for the Tea Dance but didn't make it on the program. It is again short listed for next year's tea dance and we will see. I will make no promises as other considerations might again rule it out. So we will see.
Shores of Solway grows on me. The central movement - set to corner dance 'round partner by the right - has a different name here. We call it "Set and Flirt" because Chris and Sue Ronald call it that in their dance Ann of Scotia (32 S 3 - Intl. Branch - World Wide Weavings).
How to put this? …
Eye contact can come in a variety of strengths. Some dancers simply can't. They can not even look you in the face but look at your chest, over your shoulder, etc. etc. But I think eye contact is social - it can be flirty but should not be a leer. Social. And if you are making anyone uncomfortable you are overdressed.
That said: the Set to corner and dance round partner is almost never done with any eye contact.
What I see are dancers so close together that they can not turn their head far enough to actually see their partner much less make eye contact. Bottom line - just plain ugly.
My solution - set to the right and set strongly enough to the left that you are past your partner and do not end back to back. Now a turn of head and you can see your partner as you dance around them. The movement is bigger and quite elegant. And if you both want it flirty it will be.
Note: the original instructions say "Set to fist corner and dance around each other by the right…"
They say nothing about ending the setting back to back with partner. Hmm.
24 April 2017 – Scotia
First Hour:-
Scotch Mixer - (32 R 1 RtR) - unknown
Jubilee Jig - (32 J 3) - RSCDS Leaflets
Davy Nick Nack - (32 R 3) - Campbell
Second Hour:-
Deborah's Request - (32 R 3) - Price
Les Remparts de Séville - (32 J 3) - Bk 50 (Latour)
Surprising Hannah - (32 S 3 set) - Collin
More Bees A-Dancing - (32 R 3) - Goldring
John Cass - (32 J 5) - Bk 49 (Avery)
Reel of the 51st Division - (32 R 3) - Bk 13
*** *** *** ** * ** *** *** ***
Still in April, still approaching The Kilts and Ghillies' Tea Dance, and still doing ball prep.
I wrote Deborah's Request at her request - kind of. There was a plaintive cry "I can't find any easy dances with plain four bar turns". So I wrote one for her. It is nothing special but it is a beginner friendly opening type dance.
Les Remparts de Séville is, in my opinion, just lovely. It has one moment that needs concentration - where you start Set to Corner-Partner on bar 3 of the phrase. Muscle memory definitely steers some dancers astray but I like those moments where the mind has to be engaged and you can't just coast.
Surprising Hannah is one of those wonderful simple dances that shines when the dancers are strong and enjoy technique. Note: In my humble opinion simple dances NEED great technique because doing something simple beautifully isn't easy. [video]
I love this one, and I can not decide if it is because the dance is so good or if I am simply in love with dancers who are so good that they impress without having to dress up. Probably both.
More Bees A-Dancin' by Roy Goldring, is beginner friendly - you are paired with your partner through most of the dance and for dancers not comfortable with reels that is rather helpful. The hardest part of the dance is the first phrase - Goldring is very specific, you lead down the middle and up with RH joined - you don't join hands in promenade hold until bar 9. I see too many dancers leading up in promenade hold no matter how strongly I word the directions.
And here is a lovely stinker of a dance - John Cass. The formations are not individually difficult but the sum of the formations has some dancers dumbstruck. This is an example of a Deborah teaching point -- "staying in the dance" - being constantly aware of where you are and when you are involved. Tandem reels no problem if you are with your partner. Big problem if you and a neighbor are starting the formation together and the two of you have not been otherwise involved. A cold start as it were.
The two points that seemed to help dancers the most;
1) 1st couple is facing the men's SIDE, not a corner, at the beginning of each reel.
2) In both reels the corner women begin their reels by dancing up or down the sideline. It really helps smooth out the timing.
Enjoy.
Scotch Mixer - (32 R 1 RtR) - unknown
Jubilee Jig - (32 J 3) - RSCDS Leaflets
Davy Nick Nack - (32 R 3) - Campbell
Second Hour:-
Deborah's Request - (32 R 3) - Price
Les Remparts de Séville - (32 J 3) - Bk 50 (Latour)
Surprising Hannah - (32 S 3 set) - Collin
More Bees A-Dancing - (32 R 3) - Goldring
John Cass - (32 J 5) - Bk 49 (Avery)
Reel of the 51st Division - (32 R 3) - Bk 13
*** *** *** ** * ** *** *** ***
Still in April, still approaching The Kilts and Ghillies' Tea Dance, and still doing ball prep.
I wrote Deborah's Request at her request - kind of. There was a plaintive cry "I can't find any easy dances with plain four bar turns". So I wrote one for her. It is nothing special but it is a beginner friendly opening type dance.
Les Remparts de Séville is, in my opinion, just lovely. It has one moment that needs concentration - where you start Set to Corner-Partner on bar 3 of the phrase. Muscle memory definitely steers some dancers astray but I like those moments where the mind has to be engaged and you can't just coast.
Surprising Hannah is one of those wonderful simple dances that shines when the dancers are strong and enjoy technique. Note: In my humble opinion simple dances NEED great technique because doing something simple beautifully isn't easy. [video]
I love this one, and I can not decide if it is because the dance is so good or if I am simply in love with dancers who are so good that they impress without having to dress up. Probably both.
More Bees A-Dancin' by Roy Goldring, is beginner friendly - you are paired with your partner through most of the dance and for dancers not comfortable with reels that is rather helpful. The hardest part of the dance is the first phrase - Goldring is very specific, you lead down the middle and up with RH joined - you don't join hands in promenade hold until bar 9. I see too many dancers leading up in promenade hold no matter how strongly I word the directions.
And here is a lovely stinker of a dance - John Cass. The formations are not individually difficult but the sum of the formations has some dancers dumbstruck. This is an example of a Deborah teaching point -- "staying in the dance" - being constantly aware of where you are and when you are involved. Tandem reels no problem if you are with your partner. Big problem if you and a neighbor are starting the formation together and the two of you have not been otherwise involved. A cold start as it were.
The two points that seemed to help dancers the most;
1) 1st couple is facing the men's SIDE, not a corner, at the beginning of each reel.
2) In both reels the corner women begin their reels by dancing up or down the sideline. It really helps smooth out the timing.
Enjoy.
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