The girls were not present so the opportunity was there to get a start on the dances on the Tea Dance. It was an interesting evening because I was teaching dances that we had done before and the class was having a difficult time with them.
.
The evenings dances were:-
Admiral Beaufort (32 J 3) set mixer
Auchindrain (32 R 3) web leaflet
The Burn of Sorrow (32 S 2) B. Priddey
Gypsy Dreams (32 S 2) T. Glasspool
**********
Admiral Beaufort:- The first 24 bars are borrowed from Iain Boyd's dance The Calm before the Storm. The last eight bars are a variant of the set and link used by Jane Lataille in her dance Dragonflies.
Auchindrain:- A straight forward dance with nothing, absolutely nothing tricky about it.
The Burn of Sorrow:- when I drew my 'pilling' and wrote the crib I had an oops. I misread the directions. What I read was 1C dance a 2 bar RH turn once round and a two bar loop around partner - what Barry wrote was a Rh turn going on for 1 step and then a three bar loop around partner. The crib will be corrected Real Soon Now.
What I don't get, however, is how hard everyone seems to find the Tourbillon. It is not rocket science.
Both couples turn with two hands in two bars. First man turns three quarters ending in second woman's place while first woman turns once round and finishes back in her own place. This means they can not hold hands for the whole of the two bars. If first coupledrop appropriate hands (man's left/woman's right) you can 'unwind the turn to end in correct places. Second couple similarly - second woman turns three quarters, second man once round ending second woman in first man's place after dropping the appropriate hands.
I have had this rant before and it is getting old. But the figure is very pretty and I find it very enjoyable and more than worth the effort.
Gypsy Dreams:- 24 bars of pure delight leading into 8 bars of absolute terror - the dread Tournee.
What a bunch of horse pucky. the Tournee has one moment where you need to think, or not if you have really learned it. And it too is a beautiful figure but it does take a lot of work to perfect. Unfortunately too many dancers don't care to perfect. Sigh.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Wilton Class - 15 March 2011
Katie and Margaret (the girls) were back but with the Tea Dance coming soon I no longer have the luxury of dumbing down the evening program. I taught only two dances. They were:-
Hooper's Jig (32 J 3) MMM 2
Reekie Linn (32 J 2) J. Attwood
**********
Hooper's Jig - A quintessential "timing" dance and that throws just about everyone off their center.
The hardest thing:- getting hands across and not hands in a clump.
The 2nd hardest:- getting first and third couples to dance continuously during the diagonal crossing (loops!)
The 3rd hardest:- bars 23-24 - getting 3C to step up and first lady to cross LEFT hand into 2nd lady's place.
The 4th hardest:- getting 1st man to end the RH Across all the way round into 2nd place ladies' side.
It is a relatively simple dance and that is why any sloppy dancing stands out.
I really like this dance but I rarely teach it or dance it because it is so universally appallingly danced. Tonight I actually saw progress in almost all phases of the dance. Thanks be to God.
14 March 2011 - Dancing on the Heights
A lovely evening with a full set of dancers I taught a few new dances and a few that are on the Kilts and Ghillies April 30th Tea Dance.
The evenings dances were:
Reekie Linn (32 J 2) Jean Attwood
The Missing Turn (32 R 3) C. Williams - Bk 46/5
Barbara's Strathspey (32 S 3) McKinnell - Bk 46/4
Lang May Your Lum Reek (32 J 2) B. Priddey
Deborah Hope Leary (32 S 2) P. Price
Knights' Heys (32 H 3) T. Glasspool
The Cashmere Shawl (32 S 3) I. Boyd
**********
Reekie Linn - A lovely flow in fractions! Oh yum! My favourite!
Standard beginning followed by a standard reel of three. Then it gets interesting, especially the last figure which is three quarters of a double figure eight (in six bars) and set. I personally don't see the problem but just about every round of the dance someone got bitten.
The Missing Turn - A nice enough dance that is worth doing again but not good enough for a DCA.
Barbara's Strathspey - Super dance that gets a Teachers Choice Award! The double Birl, and the dance itself, are simply beautiful and a little bit of effort brings huge rewards. Every time I have danced or watched I have ended with a smile on my face. Gold Star!
Lang May your Lum Reek - On the upcoming Tea Dance program. I have talked about it before (see those earlier posts). In the third figure (which bears a resemblance to Hello-Goodbye Setting), the line of four rotates and the dancers who are setting to one another also rotate around each other. The difficulty is keeping the shape, and Deborah's reminder (that dancers coming into the center should make eye contact) made a real difference. Thank you Deb. And that is a nice segue into...
Deborah Hope Leary - I wrote this last month and inscribed it to Deb in honor of our first year anniversary.
Pretty good dance, the last half worked out well but I'd have like a better first sixteen bars. I will get it up on Eight by Thirty-two Real Soon Now.
Knights' Heys - The first few times I taught this dance the response was definitely underwhelming. Even after I put it on the K&G ball the response was tepid. The next year it was on the New Haven Highland Ball and now it is a recipient of a Dancers Choice Award. ???
The first time I saw it I knew this was a super dance and it immediately went on my top 50 list.
The Cashmere Shawl - Lovely dance and just different enough to make you think.
The evenings dances were:
Reekie Linn (32 J 2) Jean Attwood
The Missing Turn (32 R 3) C. Williams - Bk 46/5
Barbara's Strathspey (32 S 3) McKinnell - Bk 46/4
Lang May Your Lum Reek (32 J 2) B. Priddey
Deborah Hope Leary (32 S 2) P. Price
Knights' Heys (32 H 3) T. Glasspool
The Cashmere Shawl (32 S 3) I. Boyd
**********
Reekie Linn - A lovely flow in fractions! Oh yum! My favourite!
Standard beginning followed by a standard reel of three. Then it gets interesting, especially the last figure which is three quarters of a double figure eight (in six bars) and set. I personally don't see the problem but just about every round of the dance someone got bitten.
The Missing Turn - A nice enough dance that is worth doing again but not good enough for a DCA.
Barbara's Strathspey - Super dance that gets a Teachers Choice Award! The double Birl, and the dance itself, are simply beautiful and a little bit of effort brings huge rewards. Every time I have danced or watched I have ended with a smile on my face. Gold Star!
Lang May your Lum Reek - On the upcoming Tea Dance program. I have talked about it before (see those earlier posts). In the third figure (which bears a resemblance to Hello-Goodbye Setting), the line of four rotates and the dancers who are setting to one another also rotate around each other. The difficulty is keeping the shape, and Deborah's reminder (that dancers coming into the center should make eye contact) made a real difference. Thank you Deb. And that is a nice segue into...
Deborah Hope Leary - I wrote this last month and inscribed it to Deb in honor of our first year anniversary.
Pretty good dance, the last half worked out well but I'd have like a better first sixteen bars. I will get it up on Eight by Thirty-two Real Soon Now.
Knights' Heys - The first few times I taught this dance the response was definitely underwhelming. Even after I put it on the K&G ball the response was tepid. The next year it was on the New Haven Highland Ball and now it is a recipient of a Dancers Choice Award. ???
The first time I saw it I knew this was a super dance and it immediately went on my top 50 list.
The Cashmere Shawl - Lovely dance and just different enough to make you think.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Wilton class - 8 March 2011
A good night... and these days anytime we have a full set is a good night - even when I have to step in and fill out the set.
The New Haven Highland Ball is done - videos are showing up on YouTube and I had a wonderful time.
Next up - the Rerr Terr in NJ (1st weekend in April) and then our own Kilts and Ghillies Tea dance on the last weekend in April.
Last nights dances were:
Sage and Salsa ((16S+16R) M 3) Jane Lataillle
Hooper's Jig (32 J 3) Misc 2
Gypsy Dreams (32 S 2) T. Glasspool
Auchindrain (32 R 3) Peter Price
The Cashmere Shawl (32 S 3) I. Boyd
**********
Sage and Salsa - a good warm up. discussed in earlier posts. Recipient of a Dancer's Choice Award.
Hooper's Jig - I have always liked this dance but almost never teach it, or dance it, as it is so often so poorly danced that I just can't stand it.
First peeve - the hands across - I hate those 'clumps' of hands. Oh, I'm sorry. I'm being rather negative. Let me say that in a more positive why. I positively hate those 'clumps' of hands.. They are ugly and they ignore the essential nature of the formation:- Hands Across consists of two four bar turns: 1M and 2L dance a four bar turn. At the same time 1L and 2M are dancing a four bar turn. As a general, repeat general, rule 1M takes hands with 2L underneath the hands of 1L and 2M so 1M can use his thumb to locate and lock together the 'hub' of the wheel.
Second peeve - The loops that are part of the diagonal crossings. Nobody seems to understand the concept of 'continuous'. I see many dancers crossing and stopping. They wait for 2 bars before crossing back when they should still be dancing - 1st and 3rd couples have 6 bars of continuous dancing - i.e. NO Stopping. When they aren't crossing they should still be dancing - looping around to face back ready to cross back. Unfortunately this doesn't happen very often.
Third peeve - 2nd couple stepping up on bars 23-24 (end of the crossing figure).This is the critical moment of the dance. Sorry, but it is! If 2L doesn't step up in time she leaves nowhere for 1st woman to go except the wrong place at which point the dance breaks down. This is usually not fatal... Thank God for small favours.
The good news - I saw major progress in Wilton, especially with the handing in Hands Across. Yaaaa!
Gypsy Dreams - Yumm! See my previous posts. One of my top 10.
Auchindrain - You can find the dance on the web site Eight by Thirty-two. You can find the tune on Nigel Gatherer's web site. I rather like this dance. I am also prejudiced - I 'wrote' it. I did not give it an Dancer's Choice Award though. That was given by the dancers in several of my classes.
The Cashmere Shawl - A sweet dance, laid back and easy going. Just beware - don't lulled asleep or you'll get bit by the last figure.
The New Haven Highland Ball is done - videos are showing up on YouTube and I had a wonderful time.
Next up - the Rerr Terr in NJ (1st weekend in April) and then our own Kilts and Ghillies Tea dance on the last weekend in April.
Last nights dances were:
Sage and Salsa ((16S+16R) M 3) Jane Lataillle
Hooper's Jig (32 J 3) Misc 2
Gypsy Dreams (32 S 2) T. Glasspool
Auchindrain (32 R 3) Peter Price
The Cashmere Shawl (32 S 3) I. Boyd
**********
Sage and Salsa - a good warm up. discussed in earlier posts. Recipient of a Dancer's Choice Award.
Hooper's Jig - I have always liked this dance but almost never teach it, or dance it, as it is so often so poorly danced that I just can't stand it.
First peeve - the hands across - I hate those 'clumps' of hands. Oh, I'm sorry. I'm being rather negative. Let me say that in a more positive why. I positively hate those 'clumps' of hands.. They are ugly and they ignore the essential nature of the formation:- Hands Across consists of two four bar turns: 1M and 2L dance a four bar turn. At the same time 1L and 2M are dancing a four bar turn. As a general, repeat general, rule 1M takes hands with 2L underneath the hands of 1L and 2M so 1M can use his thumb to locate and lock together the 'hub' of the wheel.
Second peeve - The loops that are part of the diagonal crossings. Nobody seems to understand the concept of 'continuous'. I see many dancers crossing and stopping. They wait for 2 bars before crossing back when they should still be dancing - 1st and 3rd couples have 6 bars of continuous dancing - i.e. NO Stopping. When they aren't crossing they should still be dancing - looping around to face back ready to cross back. Unfortunately this doesn't happen very often.
Third peeve - 2nd couple stepping up on bars 23-24 (end of the crossing figure).This is the critical moment of the dance. Sorry, but it is! If 2L doesn't step up in time she leaves nowhere for 1st woman to go except the wrong place at which point the dance breaks down. This is usually not fatal... Thank God for small favours.
The good news - I saw major progress in Wilton, especially with the handing in Hands Across. Yaaaa!
Gypsy Dreams - Yumm! See my previous posts. One of my top 10.
Auchindrain - You can find the dance on the web site Eight by Thirty-two. You can find the tune on Nigel Gatherer's web site. I rather like this dance. I am also prejudiced - I 'wrote' it. I did not give it an Dancer's Choice Award though. That was given by the dancers in several of my classes.
The Cashmere Shawl - A sweet dance, laid back and easy going. Just beware - don't lulled asleep or you'll get bit by the last figure.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Wilton class - 1 March 2011
It is nice to be back. I had to cancel last weeks class when my elderly mother went into the hospital with circulation problems in her left leg, which led to vascular surgery on Friday. While waiting I wrote 2 dances and last night I had a chance to dance the strathspey and tweak it into final shape.
It is also the last class before the New Haven Highland Ball and there were quiet screams of near panic from the class as they felt they were totally unprepared - which is partly true. Due to weather there were NO classes held in January and only three this month.
Tonight's dances were:-
Deborah Hope Leary (32 S 2) Peter Price
St Andrew's of Brampton (32 R 4)
Trip to Fanwood (32 J 3) C. Ronald
Dark Lochnagar (32 S 2) I. Boyd - SDA
**********
Deborah Hope Leary - I wrote a jig, was reviewing it when my computer started playing a strathspey and the jig began to morph. This is the result after real dancers got hold of it.
1-8 1C 2C set, adv for 1, retire for 1; dance RHAcross half round (face prtnr in the center), and, pulling right shoulders back, cast out to side lines.
9-16 2C 1C dance back to back with ptnr; RHAcross half round and cast from the center to places.
17-24 1C 2C set and cross link (end beside ptnr, 1C facing up 2C down); 2C 1C set and link to side lines (face clock wise)
25-28 2C 1C chase half round and end, center of the dance, in line, facing ptner (1M 1L 2M 2L)
29-30 1C 2C set to partner (strong left step to pass partner and ...
31-32 1C 2C dance RHAcross half round to progressed places.
St Andrew's of Brampton:- Very wordy directions, even wordier (14 lines) ball booklet crib and panic all around. Needlessly. The best crib I have seen for this dance is only 5 lines long for a 4 figure dance. And the only tricky part is the final turn out of the double wheel. For 1M and 4L it is RH, for 1L and 4M it is LH. Why? so 1C is in the middle facing up and 4C is in the middle facing down both couples having had easy entries in through the sidelines.
Trip to Fanwood:- A sweet little dance especially if you treat the from the half reel into the turns flexibly - take hands when convenient and turn far enough to reach proper positions.
Dark Lochnagar:- It's the music! The dance is along for the ride.
It is also the last class before the New Haven Highland Ball and there were quiet screams of near panic from the class as they felt they were totally unprepared - which is partly true. Due to weather there were NO classes held in January and only three this month.
Tonight's dances were:-
Deborah Hope Leary (32 S 2) Peter Price
St Andrew's of Brampton (32 R 4)
Trip to Fanwood (32 J 3) C. Ronald
Dark Lochnagar (32 S 2) I. Boyd - SDA
**********
Deborah Hope Leary - I wrote a jig, was reviewing it when my computer started playing a strathspey and the jig began to morph. This is the result after real dancers got hold of it.
1-8 1C 2C set, adv for 1, retire for 1; dance RHAcross half round (face prtnr in the center), and, pulling right shoulders back, cast out to side lines.
9-16 2C 1C dance back to back with ptnr; RHAcross half round and cast from the center to places.
17-24 1C 2C set and cross link (end beside ptnr, 1C facing up 2C down); 2C 1C set and link to side lines (face clock wise)
25-28 2C 1C chase half round and end, center of the dance, in line, facing ptner (1M 1L 2M 2L)
29-30 1C 2C set to partner (strong left step to pass partner and ...
31-32 1C 2C dance RHAcross half round to progressed places.
St Andrew's of Brampton:- Very wordy directions, even wordier (14 lines) ball booklet crib and panic all around. Needlessly. The best crib I have seen for this dance is only 5 lines long for a 4 figure dance. And the only tricky part is the final turn out of the double wheel. For 1M and 4L it is RH, for 1L and 4M it is LH. Why? so 1C is in the middle facing up and 4C is in the middle facing down both couples having had easy entries in through the sidelines.
Trip to Fanwood:- A sweet little dance especially if you treat the from the half reel into the turns flexibly - take hands when convenient and turn far enough to reach proper positions.
Dark Lochnagar:- It's the music! The dance is along for the ride.
Loch Leven Dancers - 28 February 2011
I had a guest stint on Sunday teaching Those Russians to the Loch Leven Dancers.
They watched the YouTube video of the Dunedin Summer School performance and were absolutely psyched. It is a real joy to have a group still willing to try something new and different.
I spent about a week working out the choreography from the video, and in the end I got it right: the dance ended when the music did, and the dancers were flying high, as was I.
Bottom line: a whole lotta fun - they are now looking for places/venues to perform the dance. And I am looking forward to teaching it again, and again, and ...
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Wilton class - 8 February 2011
What a winter it has been. Storms on Tuesdays one after another every week since Christmas. Finally, our first class of the New Year.
The girls were back (hooray!).
With just enough for a set, tonight's dances were:
Collie Law (32 J 2) R. Goldring - 24 Graded & Social
Off to Speyside (32 R 2) R. Goldring - 24 Graded & Social
Kendall's Hornpipe (32 J 2) Gr. 22
The March Hare (32 R 3) I. Boyd - Happy to Meet
The Dunsmuir Strathspey (32 S 3 set) J. Drewry
**********
Collie Law:- Good basic dance on many levels.
Off to Speyside:- Another good dance. I am finding that the single most important rule in teaching children is KEEP THEM MOVING. No long drawn out teaching of formations or footwork.
Kendall's Hornpipe:- Ladies Chain is not an easy figure. The ladies don't have a simple track, there is a lot of 'tweaking' needed. Basic figure, but not easy. Great music (I used the recording by The Music Makars). In my opinion the best I have heard.
The March Hare:- Again basic elements that let me keep them moving but also gives me the opportunity to incrementally improve their pas de basque - tonight I stressed the 3 beats and they did!
The Dunsmuir Strathspey:- I try to keep everyone on the floor, even the beginners and the girls, but tonight I wanted to up the ante for the experienced dancers which is why I programed this dance. Petronella in Tandem was not known by all so that is the teaching I needed to do. It also impressed the girls and that is not a bad thing. Keeps them thinking about where they can go.
**********
In other news:
I have a new favourite cd - Heather Hills by Dave Wiesler and Mara Shea. 4 Stars. The strathspey sets (Forget Me Knot, Simon Brodie and Invercauld's) are superb as is the set of jigs for The Vale of Atholl. All the other sets are solid. Highly recommended.
*
I am really impressed by Those Russians. I have taken the choreography from the video and written it up. I don't know when, or to whom I will teach the dance but I am ready!
The dance is not a social dance by any stretch of the imagination. 272 bars is a lot of dance so remembering parts and sequence may be the biggest issue with the dance. There are no outlandish elements here so that is not an issue. Overall the music has a strong beat (yay) and is not that easy to dance to (rats). There is no chord, but a 4 beat intro, and then there are a few 10 bar phrases (the choruses) that will throw some for a loop and send them on a side trip to Paris. The sung parts are easier to dance to than the musical interludes where the syncopation disguises the beat.
Overall I think this dance is a good performance vehicle and could make a great workshop dance where, at the end of the session the dancers can sigh in relief and know that they have faced and overcome a real challenge.
Here is the YouTube link to "Those Russians":-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLvCmEOA3-0
The girls were back (hooray!).
With just enough for a set, tonight's dances were:
Collie Law (32 J 2) R. Goldring - 24 Graded & Social
Off to Speyside (32 R 2) R. Goldring - 24 Graded & Social
Kendall's Hornpipe (32 J 2) Gr. 22
The March Hare (32 R 3) I. Boyd - Happy to Meet
The Dunsmuir Strathspey (32 S 3 set) J. Drewry
**********
Collie Law:- Good basic dance on many levels.
Off to Speyside:- Another good dance. I am finding that the single most important rule in teaching children is KEEP THEM MOVING. No long drawn out teaching of formations or footwork.
Kendall's Hornpipe:- Ladies Chain is not an easy figure. The ladies don't have a simple track, there is a lot of 'tweaking' needed. Basic figure, but not easy. Great music (I used the recording by The Music Makars). In my opinion the best I have heard.
The March Hare:- Again basic elements that let me keep them moving but also gives me the opportunity to incrementally improve their pas de basque - tonight I stressed the 3 beats and they did!
The Dunsmuir Strathspey:- I try to keep everyone on the floor, even the beginners and the girls, but tonight I wanted to up the ante for the experienced dancers which is why I programed this dance. Petronella in Tandem was not known by all so that is the teaching I needed to do. It also impressed the girls and that is not a bad thing. Keeps them thinking about where they can go.
**********
In other news:
I have a new favourite cd - Heather Hills by Dave Wiesler and Mara Shea. 4 Stars. The strathspey sets (Forget Me Knot, Simon Brodie and Invercauld's) are superb as is the set of jigs for The Vale of Atholl. All the other sets are solid. Highly recommended.
*
I am really impressed by Those Russians. I have taken the choreography from the video and written it up. I don't know when, or to whom I will teach the dance but I am ready!
The dance is not a social dance by any stretch of the imagination. 272 bars is a lot of dance so remembering parts and sequence may be the biggest issue with the dance. There are no outlandish elements here so that is not an issue. Overall the music has a strong beat (yay) and is not that easy to dance to (rats). There is no chord, but a 4 beat intro, and then there are a few 10 bar phrases (the choruses) that will throw some for a loop and send them on a side trip to Paris. The sung parts are easier to dance to than the musical interludes where the syncopation disguises the beat.
Overall I think this dance is a good performance vehicle and could make a great workshop dance where, at the end of the session the dancers can sigh in relief and know that they have faced and overcome a real challenge.
Here is the YouTube link to "Those Russians":-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLvCmEOA3-0
Dancing on the Heights - 10 January 2011
First class of the New Year - and a good one 'cause a "Dancers Choice Award was given out.
The dances were:
The Haggis Tree (32 S 2) Drewry
Admiral Beaufort (32 J 3 set-mixer) Price/Boyd
The Dunsmuir Strathpey (32 S 3 set) Drewry
Lapton Reel (32 R 2) Priddey - SDA #69
The Quaker's Daughter (32 S 3 set) Goldring
Reekie Linn (32 J 2) Jean Attwood
**********
The Haggis Tree - This is, as I have said before, one gorgeous dance. What a shame so few people are willing to work on "La Baratte" because the payback, at least for this dancer and his favourite partner, is immeasurably greater than the effort. I call it a One for oner - every time I dance La Baratte I get paid back in full for the one time effort spent learning the formation. A past winner of a Dancer's Choice Award, this dance is on its way to becoming a regular on the KandG ball program - not every year but once every other or every third year and, yes, it really is that good, which makes me wonder why it has been missed by so many generations of teachers all around the world. Back to La Baratte?
Admiral Beaufort: - I don't know if I can truly claim authorship of this dance. I took Ian Boyd's dance The Calm Before the Storm, and dropped the last eight bars, not wanting to teach "set and rotate" to two new dancers their very first night,and replace it with simple turns or something equally silly. I later replaced that figure with a set and link for three dancers in line - that is, in a line of three the left hand dancer dances through the middle to the other end of the line, and the middle and right hand dancers individually cast one place. So if the starting order is 1C 2C 3C we get a new order of 2M 3M 1M and for the ladies 3L 1L 2L. Dance it again and the order becomes 3M 1M 2M / 2L 3L 1L. New Partners all around!
The Dunsmuir Strathspey:- A leaflet by John Drewry, it is another dance that, in my humble opinion, really should be more popular than it is. Granted, it isn't one of his latest and greatest works, but it is an approachable dance with a low learning threshold (petronella in tandem is it) and enjoyable enough to have earned it a DCA on its first 'trial' in August and again this month.
Personally I just love the double lead-through progression which I first saw it in JD's dance Seagreen. I found myself 1st man in third place wondering how I had gotten there and that was a treat to savour as I am not often surprised.
Lapton Reel:- What attracted me to this dance were the interactions. What I questioned was the stop and go nature of the dance. The dancers in Wilton had some trouble seeing the structure but the dancers On the Heights didn't and gave it a DCA on first time trial. It is not a fugue but it has that flavour. The dance is made up of simple, basic everyday elements that everybody should know but the execution is not easy.
The Quaker's Daughter:- No DCA for this one. It is a nice dance to do on occasion but not special enough to do regularly. Wilton liked the first 24 bars but thought the final circle was a mere tack on. I think the assessment would be 'pleasant'.
Reekie Linn:- I liked the dance enough to program it on the 2004 K&G Ball. However the consensus by the dancers is - No Award. I think the differance of opinion lies in the fact that I like fractional turns and figs of 8 and other people seem not to. Oh well!
The dances were:
The Haggis Tree (32 S 2) Drewry
Admiral Beaufort (32 J 3 set-mixer) Price/Boyd
The Dunsmuir Strathpey (32 S 3 set) Drewry
Lapton Reel (32 R 2) Priddey - SDA #69
The Quaker's Daughter (32 S 3 set) Goldring
Reekie Linn (32 J 2) Jean Attwood
**********
The Haggis Tree - This is, as I have said before, one gorgeous dance. What a shame so few people are willing to work on "La Baratte" because the payback, at least for this dancer and his favourite partner, is immeasurably greater than the effort. I call it a One for oner - every time I dance La Baratte I get paid back in full for the one time effort spent learning the formation. A past winner of a Dancer's Choice Award, this dance is on its way to becoming a regular on the KandG ball program - not every year but once every other or every third year and, yes, it really is that good, which makes me wonder why it has been missed by so many generations of teachers all around the world. Back to La Baratte?
Admiral Beaufort: - I don't know if I can truly claim authorship of this dance. I took Ian Boyd's dance The Calm Before the Storm, and dropped the last eight bars, not wanting to teach "set and rotate" to two new dancers their very first night,and replace it with simple turns or something equally silly. I later replaced that figure with a set and link for three dancers in line - that is, in a line of three the left hand dancer dances through the middle to the other end of the line, and the middle and right hand dancers individually cast one place. So if the starting order is 1C 2C 3C we get a new order of 2M 3M 1M and for the ladies 3L 1L 2L. Dance it again and the order becomes 3M 1M 2M / 2L 3L 1L. New Partners all around!
The Dunsmuir Strathspey:- A leaflet by John Drewry, it is another dance that, in my humble opinion, really should be more popular than it is. Granted, it isn't one of his latest and greatest works, but it is an approachable dance with a low learning threshold (petronella in tandem is it) and enjoyable enough to have earned it a DCA on its first 'trial' in August and again this month.
Personally I just love the double lead-through progression which I first saw it in JD's dance Seagreen. I found myself 1st man in third place wondering how I had gotten there and that was a treat to savour as I am not often surprised.
Lapton Reel:- What attracted me to this dance were the interactions. What I questioned was the stop and go nature of the dance. The dancers in Wilton had some trouble seeing the structure but the dancers On the Heights didn't and gave it a DCA on first time trial. It is not a fugue but it has that flavour. The dance is made up of simple, basic everyday elements that everybody should know but the execution is not easy.
The Quaker's Daughter:- No DCA for this one. It is a nice dance to do on occasion but not special enough to do regularly. Wilton liked the first 24 bars but thought the final circle was a mere tack on. I think the assessment would be 'pleasant'.
Reekie Linn:- I liked the dance enough to program it on the 2004 K&G Ball. However the consensus by the dancers is - No Award. I think the differance of opinion lies in the fact that I like fractional turns and figs of 8 and other people seem not to. Oh well!
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Dancing on the Heights - 13 December 2010
A very good night with several dances receiving "Dancer's Choice" Awards.
The evenings dances were:
Glasgow Highlanders (32 S 2)
Hunting the Pinecones (40 R 3) I. Boyd
The Flight of the Falcon (32 J 3) B. Priddey
The Kiltmaker (32 R 4)
Craig Mhor (32 S 2) J. Drewry
Gordon of Straloch (32 S 3) P. Price
**********
I began the evening with Glasgow Highlanders because Deb is the understudy for the Loch Leven Dancers' Mohunk House performance which includes a threesome highland dance highlighted by 2 strathspey and 2 quicktime setting steps and Deb hasn't had any highland training.
Hunting the Pinecones – Recipient of the evening's first Dancer's Choice Award, it is from Ian's book The World Around the Corner. This dance has been on my agenda for several years now and last night was the first time I was able to work it into the 'flow' as it were. And what a shame that is because the consensus is that it is worth doing again and on a fairly regular basis too.
The Flight of the Falcon – There was a rather lengthy thread on Strathspey list concerning 'dolphin' reels (if you want to know more look it up there) and I have been wanting to teach this one for a while too. Another Dancer's Choice Award recipient, I saw some creative possibilities for dancers in some of the transitions to make it dance even better.
The Kiltmaker – The dance was taught at the Pawling Weekend this past spring. I missed it but heard so much about it (thank you Deborah!) that it too has has been on, and is now off, my short list. Nice dance! From the response there is no question – this dance is a lot of fun, especially for 1st man who gets all the chevron back-to-backs. The third Dancer's Choice Award recipient of the night.
Craig Mhor (pronounced 'vor') – I have mixed feeling about this dance. The response was not enthusiastic -- but here's the but you heard coming – the basic pattern cries out for a little embroidery and that would (might?) make all the difference. The basic pattern includes a half reel of four across the dance with the dancers starting 4 square on the side lines not in line of four. So, following a turn 3/4 and cast by 1st diagonal dancers and a simultaneous cast and turn 3/4 by the 2nd diagonal dancers, there is a half reel of four across the dance: 1M and 2L begin by passing left shoulders in the middle and, looking on from the sidelines, that opening pass seemed awkward to me. What I will try the next time round is having everyone dance the middle pass of the reel with setting steps – 1 step diagonally forward to the right to just pass, then diagonally forward to the left to reach the sidelines, then loop for 2 bars.
A similar issue arises in Robertson Rant when head couples dance a reel of four on the center line starting beside partners and the solution for the New Haven demo team was to set through the middle. Similar issue – similar solution?
We will see.
Miss Muriel Johnstone's Jig – It is on 'OK' dance but I am not thrilled. I needed a nice simple jig for a ball program and this seemed to fit so I chose it and it is too late to have second thoughts. You see, I am something of a dance monster. I have never had a problem with reels – and here, the right shoulder half reel of three, 1C chase, left shoulder half reel of three, 1C chase seems to be throwing people off their centers. Well, it is on the K&G program and it is going to stay on the program. So deal with it.
Gordon of Straloch – commented on in earlier posts.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Long Last Update
My apologies for the last couple of months – I had to prioritize and my mother's car accident took the prize. I updated all the “happening soon now” events yesterday. Today I begin my assault on the back- log of classes and other events.
Wilton Class – 12 October 2010
The young girls were present only for the first half. And it is clear that what will keep them coming back is my keeping them moving and not doing any obvious 'drills'. They are a joy to have in the class. The other (and older) beginner, Dante, survived the second half where I taught The Moray Rant by John Drewry. In one swell foop he learned reels of three, mirror reels of three, cross over mirror reels of three, and finally Inveran Reels. Wow!
The nights dances were:
The Forest Prince (32 J 2) I. Boyd
Kendall's Hornpipe (32 J 3) Gr. 22
On the Quarterdeck (32 H 2) Harbour City
Seann Truibhas Willichan (32 S 2) 27/9
The Moray Rant (48 S 3 set) Drewry
Wilton Class – 19 October 2010
The youngsters were missing this week, and several experienced dancers were there in their place, as it were.
The night's dances were:
Saw Ye My Wee Thing (32 J 2)
Albatrosses & Shearwaters (32 S 3 set)
Westminster Reel (32 R 2)
The Burn of Sorrow (32 S 2)
Kendall's Hornpipe (32 J 2)
Seann Truibhas Willichan (32 S 2)
Nutmeg Workshop – 23 October 2010
Wonderful time! I really liked Rebecca Roman's approach to phrasing. She introduced the concept of “Green Light Specials” where, while driving, the idea is to approach a light just as it turns green, and to do this on a road with a series of timed lights. And the idea in dancing is to figure out where you don't have to stop between figures and to get into position at the end of a phrase just in time to start the next one.
The social dance in the evening was also great fun. But the interval, with raffle, was way too long, and we had time for only four dances in the second half, and should have ended with Pinewoods Reel and not with Wind that Shakes the Barley. Wind doesn't compare well when danced back to back with Pinewoods Reel. Live and learn.
Program was:
Berwick Johnny (32 J 3) Gr. 11
Silver Tassie (32 S 3) L30
Royal Deeside Railway (32 S 3) 40/9
The Isle (32 J 3) Gr. 15
Birks of Invermay (32 S 3) 16/2
Lady Susan Stewart's Reel (32 R 3) 5/9
Roaring Jelly (32 J 3) Glendarroch 6
The Gentleman (32 S 3) 35/6
Pinewoods Reel (32 R 3) Yankee Sampler
Jubilee Jig (32 J 3) L19
Miss Milligan's Strathspey (32 S 3) L19
Wind That Shakes the Barley (32 R 3) Duthie
Wilton Class – 26 October 2010
Very short on numbers, and very late getting started. A new dancer, who just started with the Waterbury (ex Woodbridge) class joined us, and I concentrated on her dancing. She handled it with aplomb.
Only did three dances – they were:
The Forest Prince (32 J 2) Boyd
Off to Speyside (32 R 2) Goldring
Cabbages and Kings (32 J 3) Boyd
Wilton Class – 2 November 2010
Another good evening with the girls present. Their parents, however have ruled that they have to leave at halftime. Sigh.
The night's dances were:
The Forest Prince (32 J 2) Katherine's Book
Courtship (32 R 4) C. Sigg
Crockett's Victory Garden (32 R 4) H. Ways
Flo'ers o' Fa'kirk (32 R 3) P. Price
The Chase (32 J 3) Nutmeg Collection
Langholm Fair (32 S 3 set) J. Attwood
The Wandering Drummer (32 R 3 set)
********
Courtship – Looks easy, it's not. The step up followed immediately by step down and that right into Back-to-back is not easy. It caught me by surprise. But as a challenge to beginners, requiring thinking, it is superb. I am seriously thinking about using this on unsuspecting experienced dancers.
Crockett's Victory Garden – Not worth doing if not for the wonder music from Bill Spence and Phennig's All Star Band. Good dance to teach handing and “weight” and turns 1-1/2 in 4 bars.
Flo'ers o' Fa'kirk – My rewrite of Flowers of Edinburgh so beginners aren't faced with poussette. Instead half R&L, turn RH to own sides. I kinda like it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)