Kilts and Ghillies Ball - 17 April 2010

To the Organizers: How could I? Mea culpa.
There is a reason why I don't like to be and should not be an MC - I can't remember diddly when I am in 'briefing' mode.

Richard and Donna Ives - you who did most of the organizing: for all that you did that we know about and especially for all that you did that we don't know about. Thank you.

Molly and David Keller - kudos and thanks to you too. Mollie once again did the registrar thing, and did it superbly; and David created the booklets.

Leslie Kearney - who created the flier and briefed the first half. Belatedly - thank you. Especially for Maurice which was a sheer delight and break down free.

To the anonymous not so few - who opened, and set up, and cleaned up, and broke down, and baked and cooked and fed us delicious goodies: Thank you too.

To all of you who I failed to name you have my sincere apologies and my equally sincere thanks.

The Band: Rebecca McCallum (fiddle) and Jim Stevenson-Mathews (piano)! One person commented that there was more music from this duo than from last year's trio. And good music is 80% of the battle - in other words: so so music will sink a very good program but good music will more than carry a so so program. And when you have both good music and a good program…

The Program - very well received indeed. We started with 48 dancers and at the end of the evening not only had very few people left early, very few people were sitting out. Most people were up for most of the dances. I counted 40 dancers on the floor for Reel of the 51st.

The new 3-7 pm "tea" dance format was a success - so the same again next year. One suggestion made was to reinstate the meal, but to eat after the dance. I like it! Thank you Susan Leff!

So, as constituted, this year was a success.

What worked:
1) The new 'Tea Dance" format
2) The band
3) The program (I will have a challenge maintaining this standard).
4) No anthems (entirely subjective)

Changes I would like to see:
1) catered meal after
2) one additional band member for a fuller sound- a second fiddler?
3) 8 or more additional dancers

The dances were:
Mole’s Frolic (32 J 3) Dunsmuir (Tom Winter)
Anna Holden’s Strathspey (32 S 2) 42/2
The White Cockade (32 R 3) 5/11

Holden My Own (32 J 3) Between the Rivers (P. Stephens)
Sage and Salsa (32 M 3 set) J. Lataille - Still Enough to Dance
Montgomeries’ Rant (32 R 3) 10/1

The Nurseryman (32 J 3) 37/7
Maurice† (32 S 2) Dunsmuir (Gary Thomas)
Blooms of Bon Accord (32 R 4) Drewry - Deeside 2

Break

Glen Falloch (32 J 3) Jean Attwood - Alexander 2
Rakes of Auld Reekie (32 S 2) B. Priddey - Golden Oriole Bk
On Hudson Creek (32 H 3) Between the Rivers (J. Sawin et al)

Back to Back (32 J 3) T. Glasspool - Itch to Dance
The Dundee Whaler (32 S 4) R.Clowes - Ormskirk
The Westminster Reel (32 R 2) 45/1

Major Ian Stewart (32 J 3) 35/4
The Duchess Tree (32 S 3) Drewry - Brodie Book
Reel of the 51st Division (32 R 4/5C set) 13/10

**********
Mole’s Frolic – Close, but still not the perfect opening dance. It is just a wee bit too energetic for a warm up dance in MHO. I will keep looking for that perfect blend of mental and physical stimulation. I see no sense in having the first dance, or any dance for that matter, a 'throwaway' which Mole's Frolic isn't.

Anna Holden’s Strathspey – This one worked out better than I thought it would. I was getting a bit tired of it.

The White Cockade – Simple but still fun, and the music is classic.

Holden My Own – just different enough to make a simple dance fresh and enjoyable.

Sage and Salsa – Yumm!

Montgomeries’ Rant – There is a reason why this is a standard repertoire dance - it is a classic.

The Nurseryman – I missed this one: I had an offer I couldn't refuse so I was sitting it out.

Maurice – It was beautiful and over all too soon. Teaching it is a real chore, seeing the pattern is also a chore, but when it all comes together - Oh my!

Blooms of Bon Accord – I am going to commit heresy - I like the dance, I don't like the tune. I am so used to the McBain's Band recording of Angus MacLeod (which is the music we used in dem) that I am spoiled.

Break

Glen Falloch – I saw some sets struggling with this one but most dancers ended up smiling. I think this dance is on par with her other dance The Falls of Rogie.

Rakes of Auld Reekie – I asked the band to play the music strong and bold. They did. And the experience was extraordinary. Right up there with Maurice on the "Top Ten Strathspeys" list that I keep and I will remember it as one of the top ten dance experiences of my life. Thank you set!

On Hudson Creek – Another dance with potential for break downs that never happened. And I just love the flow from the reels into the turns. The key is not to take the instructions too seriously but allow the flow to happen naturally and turn far enough to face your next corner.

Back to Back – Thank you Leslie Kearney for introducing us to this dance in 2007. Another fun often dance that deserves more dance time then it gets.

The Dundee Whaler – Truth be told not a dance I care for. But it was late in the program and I needed a dance of little mental effort. It filled the bill. No one asked for a repeat and I didn't expect that anyone would.

The Westminster Reel – A nice wee dance, not hard, but needing a bit of concentration.

Major Ian Stewart – On the program because everyone should know it (and everyone did). Also on the program because I like Hello-G'bye setting (but my legs were toast and I sat it out).
But I liked what I saw which was every one having fun.

The Duchess Tree – At one time this was a favourite of mine. It has slipped off of my "Top Ten Strathspeys" list. The slow tunes, while very pretty just can't compare with hot bold strathspeys.

Reel of the 51st Division – We danced this as a 4C dance in 5C sets - and I will never, ever again, want to dance it as published in Book 13. This one was just about perfect. More time to rest the weary legs, more time to chat with partner and others without danger of missing a beat. Better flow and timing in the first figure.

**********
For those who attended the potluck after and enjoyed my soup–

Pumpkin and Black Bean Soup
Recipe courtesy Rachael Ray
Show: 30 Minute Meals
Episode: 30-Minute Veggie Feast

2 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, 1 turn of the pan
1 medium onion, finely chopped
3 cups canned or packaged vegetable stock
1 can (14 1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes in juice
1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained
2 cans (15 ounces) pumpkin puree (found often on the baking aisle)
1 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon curry powder, 1 palm full
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin, 1/2 palm full
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, eyeball it in the palm of your hand
Coarse salt
20 blades fresh chives, chopped or snipped, for garnish

Heat a soup pot over medium heat. Add oil. When oil is hot, add onion. Saute onions 5 minutes. Add broth, tomatoes, black beans and pumpkin puree. Stir to combine ingredients and bring soup to a boil. Reduce heat to medium low and stir in cream, curry, cumin, cayenne and salt, to taste. Simmer 5 minutes, adjust seasonings and serve garnished with chopped chives.

Westchester Class - 10 March 2010

Tonight's dances:
The Mad Hatter (32 J 3) Iain Boyd – Happy to Meet
On Hudson Creek (32 H 3) Between the Rivers (J. Sawin et al)
Rakes of Auld Reekie (32 S 2) B. Priddey - Golden Oriole Book
Maurice (32 S 2) Dunsmuir Dances (Gary Thomas)
Mole’s Frolic (32 J 3) Dunsmuir Dances (Tom Winter)
Gramachie (32 S 3) Misc 1

**********

On Hudson Creek – for this dance what do dancers need to know? Fractions! They need to know exactly what and how far a half reel of four goes, and they need to know how far a three-quarters turn goes. And do them in exactly 4 and 2 bars respectively (more or less). Heaven help they who, in the half reel, just HAVE to take hands before they complete their left shoulder pass. Quickly now! By how much does that change the turn?

Rakes of Auld Reekie – Oh me oh my, how I like this dance. Along with Maurice this one a "no doubt" top 10 winner. It does takes some work to put the pieces together especially the timing which is on the subtle side. I have been using a set of melodic, smooth strathspeys, but in filling out a set tonight I realized that the dance works better to strong traditional tunes. Dancers can't be genteel with this one. Strong steps, strong dancing make the dance. Good dancing rewarded.

Maurice – Following on the heels of RoAR this was a case of biting off more than I could chew. I ended up behind schedule and made the beginner class wait as we (finally) danced it through. But it was coming together. Once again, good dancing rewarded.

Gramachie – A solid, doable, reasonably pleasant dance done to solid performed reasonably pleasant music. Not exhilarating, but OK. Is this a case of damning through faint praise? Perhaps. I wouldn't want to do the dance on a regular basis, and I would certainly prefer better music. I chose it because I needed a dance for a mixed set (including true beginners) and it filled the bill.

On Hudson Creek, Maurice, Rakes of Auld Reekie and Mole's Frolic are all on the Kilts and Ghillies Ball (coming real soon now).

Westchester Class - 3 March 2010

Tonight's Dances:
Cabbages and Kings (32 J 3) Harbour City
The Valentine (32 S 3) 5 Dances 2009
Reel of the 51st (32 R 4/5C set) 13/10
Auchendrain (32 R 3) Price - leaflet
Kendall’s Hornpipe (32 J 2) Gr. 22
The White Cockade (32 R 3) 5/11
Delvine Side (32 S 3) 2/9

**********

Cabbages and Kings – a nice simple introduction to corners. Needed as there was a brand spankin' new dancer in attendance tonight.

The Valentine – I stunk up the hall on this one. I remembered most of the major points but missed the one where couples turn half round, take hands in lines of three, and set. I forgot
the "and stay close to partner" piece. The dancers struggled - I wonder why? Some dancers found the handing in the final 8 bars a little fussy. Eh.
Bottom line: When competently taught this is a nice dance - especially with a significant partner and you're both in the mood for some fun. In moderation if you please.

Reel of the 51st – Experimental version for 4C.

I have wanted to try this for a while and for a number of reasons. Firstly because I have a recording from a Dundee band (Cavendish, was Tim Wright's) with most of the arrangements played 10 times through; and I have heard that 5C sets are the norm in Dundee; and I recall (misremember?) that the deviser of the dance was from Dundee. So adding 2 + 2 and getting 5, I'd bet that he intended the dance to be done in 5C sets, and that it was intended to be as a 4C dance, not a 3C dance as published in Book 13.

Too, I have always felt that bars 3-8 had a problem - a little too much music for the distance to be covered. So 1C has to hold back in order not to arrive early - and this does not fit the music! And it shows in the dancing! Poorly.

So tonight I had the opportunity to teach it as a 4C dance and we found that 1C has just enough time to cast behind 3 couples (2s, 3s and 4s) dance in below 4C and lead up to corners. No holding back, no disconnect with the music, better looking - just better.

So, on the basis of tonight's test I will go out on a limb and say that Reel of the 51st Division was originally written as a 4C dance to be done in a 5C set. And, God how I love this part, I get to decree it will be done that way at the Kilts and Ghilllies Spring Ball on 17 April 2010. (Right, I am done gloating now.)

Going Viral?

A couple of days ago I posted the Kilts and Ghillies 2010 Ball Program to the Strathspey list as part of a thread on dance programs and attendance. This elicited a number of comments. Then, in one of my responses to said comments, I mentioned my liking for the medley Sage and Salsa. (Quoted below).

I have now sent either the ball crib or the actual directions to eight people. Four are in Europe or the UK, two are in Canada, one from Minnesota and one unknown.

And then, in a mistake, I sent a post to the strathspey list that commercially plugged the Santa Fe class's books, The Dunsmuir Book, Between the Rivers and Barry Priddey.

Where will it End?


*****
"Sage and Salsa is the first medley I have ever danced that I liked. It is simple. If you don't know it contact me. The dances coming out of the Santa Fe class are remarkable for their originality and sometimes IMO sheer genius. This is one of them."

*****
"I am attaching the ball crib for you. I think you will find more than one dance with differences.
My favourites are Mole's Frolic, Sage and Salsa, Maurice (advanced), Glen Falloch, Rakes of Auld Reekie, and On Hudson Creek.

Books to seriously consider owning: Always Enough to Dance, Still Enough to Dance, Fun for All Seasons (these from Jane Lataille and the Santa Fe SC Dancers - a very small class);
The Dunsmuir Book - I have found 6 superb dances in this one and haven't tried them all yet.
Between the Rivers - lots of good ones here too.
I am also finding a number of good dances from Barry Priddey (who seems to deserve far more recognition than he has so far gotten.)"

Kilts and Ghillies 2010 Ball

The 2010 Kilts and Ghillies Ball is coming together. We have a date, a hall, a band and a new format.

Kilts and Ghillies Spring Ball
17 April 2010
South Britain Congregational Church
East Flat Hill Rd.,
Southbury, Ct.

Jim Stevenson-Mathews - piano
Rebecca McCallum - fiddle

Start time 3:00pm
End time 7:30 pm
Dinner - after (at local venue of your choice).
Finger food before and during, desserts at the break (remember - always eat dessert first).

Program

Moles Frolic / 32 J 3 / Dunsmuir Book
Anna Holden's Strathspey / 32 S 2 / Bk 42/2
The White Cockade / 32 R 3 / Bk 5/11

Holden My Own / 32 J 3 / Between the Rivers
Sage and Salsa / 16S+16R Medley 3 / Still Enough to Dance
Montgomeries' Rant / 32 R 3 / Bk 10/1

The Nurseryman / 32 J 3 / Bk 37/7
Maurice / 32 S 2 / Dunsmuir Book
Blooms of Bon Accord / 32 R 4 / Drewry

Break

Glen Falloch / 32 J 3 / J. Attwood - Alexander 2
Rakes of Auld Reekie / 32 S 2 / B. Priddey - Golden Oriole Book
On Hudson Creek / 32 H 3 / Between the Rivers

Back to Back / 32 J 3 / T. Glasspool - Itch to Dance
The Dundee Whaler / 32 S 4 / R. Clowes - Ormskirk
The Westminster Reel / 32 R 2 / Bk 45/1

Major Ian Stewart / 32 J 3 / Bk 35/4
The Duchess Tree / 32 S 3 / J. Drewry
Reel of the 51st Division / 32 R 4/5 set / Bk 13/10


Note Bene: If time gets tight one or more of the dances in the penultimate set will be dropped.
(Back to Back/The Dundee Whaler/The Westminster Reel)