SCD - 24 October 2008
25 October 2008
SCD - Stow
Dance-mistress: Jeannetta McColl
Dance list :--
Talisker - Helen
Silver Tassie - Heather
Saltire Society Reel - Bev
John McAlpin - Marguerite
Solway Reel - Flo
Crib Notes :--
Talisker
A reel, two couples dancing in a four couple set - which means that the dancing couple dances to the bottom without stopping.
* The first couple dance a half figure of eight around the twos and cross back to their own sides by the right hand. They set.
* The second couple dance a half figure of eight around the ones, cross back to their own sides of the dance by the right hand. They set.
* The ones lead down, the twos dance to the top and then follow behind. Both couple return to the top, the twos leading the ones. The progression has occurred and the ones are now in second place.
* The first and second couples dance rights and lefts to finish.
==========
TALISKER (R8x32) 2C (4C set)
B Eddershaw Whisky Coll
1- 8 == 1s cross down below 2s & cast up to top, cross RH & set
9-16 == 2s cross up & cast down, cross RH & set
17-24 == 1s followed by 2s dance down, 2s followed by 1s dance up to 1st/2nd places
25-32 == 2s+1s dance R&L
======================================
The Silver Tassie
A strathspey, three dancing couples in a four couple set. Each couple dances twice.
* The first three couples cross by the right hand and set, cross back by the right hand and set.
* The ones dance a figure of eight around the twos, the threes cast off to first place and "follow the ones" to dance a figure of eight around the twos. (there are four people dancing this figure, you need to keep a close eye on the others so as to avoid collisions)
* The ones lead up, the twos and threes follow behind. When the ones turn, the twos and threes drop hand and let them pass, the twos passing through the threes and the threes following behind the other two couples. It is a good idea for the second couple to switch to nearer hands at this point, ready for the Rondel to follow.
* The first and second couples dance the Rondel.
==========
Note :-- I found Jeanetta's explanation of this figure as "multiple half figures of eight" to be remarkably confusing. I think of it as going under the arch and around to the other side.
* The first couple face down the set, the second couple face up the set.
* The second couple raises their hands into an arch and move forward, the first couple duck underneath, after passing the other couple, the man passing his woman to the man's side of the dance ahead of him while he turns to the woman's side of the dance. The two men face the two women (first couple in second position, second couple in first position).
* The women join hands and the men join hands. The men raise their hands into an arch, and the women duck underneath. The first couple pass in front of their opposite number. (i.e., the first woman crosses in front of the second woman and the first man passes in front of the second man. Everyone is back in their proper place.)
* The two couples, holding hands with their partners) face each other again, the first couple looking down the set, the second couple looking up the set. The second couple raise their hands into an arch, the first couple go straight through. NO CROSSING.
* That's the progression. The first couple is now in second position ready to start the dance again with the 3s. At the end of their second time through, the first couple pass the threes and the fours to the end of the set and a new 'first couple' take over.
==========
THE SILVER TASSIE (S8x32) 3C (4C set)
J Drewry Bon Accord Bk
1- 8 == 1s+2s+3s cross RH & set, cross back RH & set
9-16 == 1s & 3s dance Figs of 8 round 2s (3s casting)
17-24 == 1s followed by 2s+3s dance down, 1s followed by 2s+3s (who part to let 1s thru) dance back to top
25-32 == 1s+2s dance the Rondel
=============================
The Saltire Society Reel
A reel for three couples dancing in a four couple set. Each couple dances twice as first couple.
* The first couple cross (second couple moving up immediately into first place) and the ones pass out of the set between the twos and threes, turning the threes with the nearer hand. (The first woman passes between the second and third man, offering her left hand to the third man to turn out and then back into the middle of the set facing up. The first man passes between the second and third woman, offering his right hand to the third woman and circling around out of the set and back into the middle of the set, facing up.)
* The first couple take nearer hands as they dance up the set. They offer the other hand to the member of the second couple on that side and spin out between the twos back into second position. They continue across the set into mirror reels of three ending holding left hands and facing their first corners.
* The first couple set to their first corners and turn their bodies, switching to holding right hands. They are now facing the opposite direction, looking at their partner's first corner (their own third corners). They set and the first corners join in for a right hands around. The first corners return to their places while the first couple continue on to face their second corners.
* The first couple set to their second corners and turn their bodies, switching to holding left hands with one another. They are now facing in the opposite direction, looking at their partner's second corner, their own fourth corner. They set and the second corners come in to dance Left hands around. The second corners dance back to their places and the first couple end up in second place on their own sides ready to start again.
==========
Notes :-- I think of this as "spinning crosses" because of the four hands around figures (Right hands around with the first corners, left hands around with the second corners).
==========
THE SALTIRE SOCIETY REEL (R8x32) 3C (4C set)
R Goldring SCD Leaflet 9
1- 8 == 1s cross down & dance out between 2s+3s turning 3s by near hand to meet ptnr, dance up & turn 2s by nearest hand to 2nd place opp sides
9-16 == 1s cross down to 3rd pl & dance reel of 3 own side (2s dance out & down as 3s dance out & up b’tw’n 2s), 1s end (hold LH) facing 1st crnrs
17-24 == 1s set to 1st crnrs, turn inwards & set to 3rd corner as 3rd crnrs set adv to dance RH across with 1s, 1s end turning to face 2nd crnrs
25-32 == 1s repeat bars 17-24 with 2nd/4th corners but dancing LH across
========================
John McAlpin
A strathspey of three dancing couples in a four couple set.
* The first couple advance on step in order to touch Right hands together before they retreat again. This is so that they can come forward again and turn halfway by the Left hand (woman now on man's side, man on woman's). They switch to Right hands in order to lead down one place then take Left hands for a three quarter turn which puts them facing their first corners.
* Now its a corner-partner-corner-partner maneuver wherein the dancing couple turn their first corners by the Right hand, their partner by the Left hand, their second corner by the Right hand and their partner again by the Left hand. Then end up on their own side of the dance in second place.
* This next maneuver looks like racing the tide to me. The second, first, and third ladies take hands and set. They advance two steps across while the second, first, and third men set. The women end up nose to nose with their partners. The ladies retire two steps while the men advance two steps. The ladies set again while the men retreat back to place.
* The three couples cross by the Right hand, circle 6 hands around to the left half way (so that women are on the women's side of the dance, men are on the men's), cross by the Left hand and circle six hands around to the right half way so that everyone is again back on their own side of the dance.
==========
Notes :-- This might be called "Right then Left then Right" because each hand is used in turn and turn about.
==========
JOHN MCALPIN (S8x32) 3C (4C set)
H Foss Galloway Album
1- 8 == 1s Adv+Ret 1 step (touch RH), 1/2 turn LH, lead down 1 place & 3/4 turn LH to face 1st corners
9-16 == 1s turn RH 1st corner, turn partner LH, turn RH 2nd corner, turn partner LH ending on own sides
17-24 == 2L+1L+3L set, Adv+Ret & set while 2M+1M+3M stand for 2 bars, set, Adv+Ret
25-32 == 2s+1s+3s cross RH, circle 6H round to left 1/2 way, cross LH & circle 6H round to right 1/2 way
========================
The Solway Reel
A reel of four dancing couples in a four couple set.
* The first man and the fourth lady cast out of the set coming in to the midde of the set between the twos and the threes to meet and turn by the right hand one and a half times before casting out of the set on the "wrong" side to end in the other person's place.
* The first woman and the fourth man cast out of the set coming back into the middle of the set between the twos and threes to meet and turn by the left hands one and a half times before exiting the set again through the twos and threes on the "wrong side" and continuing to the other person's place.
{The first couple are now in fourth place and the fourth couple are in first place, with the women on the men's side of the dance and the men on the women's}
* The second and third couples set and move into the middle, turning to face up and down (respectively, twos face up, threes face down) they take hands and head in the direction they're facing, splitting and casting around the person on the end back to place. They dance right hands across half-way (so that the men are on the woman's side and the women on the mens)
{the order from the top is now fourth couple, third couple, second couple, first couple, with everyone on the 'wrong' side.}
* Everyone takes hand and circle eight hands around half-way so that everyone is right back where they started from.
* first and second couples do half of a Rights and Lefts.
* first couple and third couple do half a Rights and Lefts.
* first couple and fourth couple do half a Rights and Lefts.
{Everyone is again on the wrong side of the dance}
* Everyone sets and crosses to their own side by the right hand.
{Order of the dance from the top is now 2s-3s-4s-1s. Dance begins again immediately with new top and bottom couples}
==========
Notes :-- This reminds me of Strip the Willow with the way it begins with the first and fourth couples moving and the progression of the first couple down to the bottom of the set.
==========
THE SOLWAY REEL (R4x48) 4C set
J Killeen Carlisle Anniv Bk
1- 8 == 1M & 4L cast in 1 place, turn RH 1.1/2 times & cast to each others place
9-16 == 1L & 4M cast in 1 place & dance into centre, turn LH 1.1/2 times & cast to each others place
17-24 == 2s & 3s set, dance up/down, cast back to places & dance RH across 1/2 way
25-32 == All set, circle 8H round to left 1/2 way to original places & set
33-40 == 1s+2s 1/2 R&L, 1s+3s 1/2 R&L
41-48 == 1s+4s 1/2 R&L, all set & cross RH. 2 3 4 1
=============================
Dancers :--
Helen
Heather
Ginny & Colin
Betty Rose
Iain (sgeith) 's Marilyn
Gretchen and Dave (bard)
Greta (dathlann) and Andrew (gàire)
Gregory 's Vickery
Jenn Trinkhaus
Kristin Rose
Bev
Marguerite
Marcia came to watch, wearing witchy stripedy socks, but she left early. Tom (leinne), and Sandy and David (reòiteag) arrived late. I left early because my foot was beginning to threaten to give out on me.
==============
Afterword: I was chatting with LondonBard and these rhymes sprang to my fingertips.
Iain was there with a flashing kilt flair,
he dances so lightly I find it mete
to hight him Sgeith for the wings on his feet.
Marcia three times was there at the side,
her witchy stripe stockings were not easy to hide.
Heather was there and Betty Rose so neat,
and Flo with the smile and sweet Marguerite,
their names are their descriptions and what can I say,
but these are the partners I danced yesterday
SCD - Stow
Dance-mistress: Jeannetta McColl
Dance list :--
Talisker - Helen
Silver Tassie - Heather
Saltire Society Reel - Bev
John McAlpin - Marguerite
Solway Reel - Flo
Crib Notes :--
Talisker
A reel, two couples dancing in a four couple set - which means that the dancing couple dances to the bottom without stopping.
* The first couple dance a half figure of eight around the twos and cross back to their own sides by the right hand. They set.
* The second couple dance a half figure of eight around the ones, cross back to their own sides of the dance by the right hand. They set.
* The ones lead down, the twos dance to the top and then follow behind. Both couple return to the top, the twos leading the ones. The progression has occurred and the ones are now in second place.
* The first and second couples dance rights and lefts to finish.
==========
TALISKER (R8x32) 2C (4C set)
B Eddershaw Whisky Coll
1- 8 == 1s cross down below 2s & cast up to top, cross RH & set
9-16 == 2s cross up & cast down, cross RH & set
17-24 == 1s followed by 2s dance down, 2s followed by 1s dance up to 1st/2nd places
25-32 == 2s+1s dance R&L
======================================
The Silver Tassie
A strathspey, three dancing couples in a four couple set. Each couple dances twice.
* The first three couples cross by the right hand and set, cross back by the right hand and set.
* The ones dance a figure of eight around the twos, the threes cast off to first place and "follow the ones" to dance a figure of eight around the twos. (there are four people dancing this figure, you need to keep a close eye on the others so as to avoid collisions)
* The ones lead up, the twos and threes follow behind. When the ones turn, the twos and threes drop hand and let them pass, the twos passing through the threes and the threes following behind the other two couples. It is a good idea for the second couple to switch to nearer hands at this point, ready for the Rondel to follow.
* The first and second couples dance the Rondel.
==========
Note :-- I found Jeanetta's explanation of this figure as "multiple half figures of eight" to be remarkably confusing. I think of it as going under the arch and around to the other side.
* The first couple face down the set, the second couple face up the set.
* The second couple raises their hands into an arch and move forward, the first couple duck underneath, after passing the other couple, the man passing his woman to the man's side of the dance ahead of him while he turns to the woman's side of the dance. The two men face the two women (first couple in second position, second couple in first position).
* The women join hands and the men join hands. The men raise their hands into an arch, and the women duck underneath. The first couple pass in front of their opposite number. (i.e., the first woman crosses in front of the second woman and the first man passes in front of the second man. Everyone is back in their proper place.)
* The two couples, holding hands with their partners) face each other again, the first couple looking down the set, the second couple looking up the set. The second couple raise their hands into an arch, the first couple go straight through. NO CROSSING.
* That's the progression. The first couple is now in second position ready to start the dance again with the 3s. At the end of their second time through, the first couple pass the threes and the fours to the end of the set and a new 'first couple' take over.
==========
THE SILVER TASSIE (S8x32) 3C (4C set)
J Drewry Bon Accord Bk
1- 8 == 1s+2s+3s cross RH & set, cross back RH & set
9-16 == 1s & 3s dance Figs of 8 round 2s (3s casting)
17-24 == 1s followed by 2s+3s dance down, 1s followed by 2s+3s (who part to let 1s thru) dance back to top
25-32 == 1s+2s dance the Rondel
=============================
The Saltire Society Reel
A reel for three couples dancing in a four couple set. Each couple dances twice as first couple.
* The first couple cross (second couple moving up immediately into first place) and the ones pass out of the set between the twos and threes, turning the threes with the nearer hand. (The first woman passes between the second and third man, offering her left hand to the third man to turn out and then back into the middle of the set facing up. The first man passes between the second and third woman, offering his right hand to the third woman and circling around out of the set and back into the middle of the set, facing up.)
* The first couple take nearer hands as they dance up the set. They offer the other hand to the member of the second couple on that side and spin out between the twos back into second position. They continue across the set into mirror reels of three ending holding left hands and facing their first corners.
* The first couple set to their first corners and turn their bodies, switching to holding right hands. They are now facing the opposite direction, looking at their partner's first corner (their own third corners). They set and the first corners join in for a right hands around. The first corners return to their places while the first couple continue on to face their second corners.
* The first couple set to their second corners and turn their bodies, switching to holding left hands with one another. They are now facing in the opposite direction, looking at their partner's second corner, their own fourth corner. They set and the second corners come in to dance Left hands around. The second corners dance back to their places and the first couple end up in second place on their own sides ready to start again.
==========
Notes :-- I think of this as "spinning crosses" because of the four hands around figures (Right hands around with the first corners, left hands around with the second corners).
==========
THE SALTIRE SOCIETY REEL (R8x32) 3C (4C set)
R Goldring SCD Leaflet 9
1- 8 == 1s cross down & dance out between 2s+3s turning 3s by near hand to meet ptnr, dance up & turn 2s by nearest hand to 2nd place opp sides
9-16 == 1s cross down to 3rd pl & dance reel of 3 own side (2s dance out & down as 3s dance out & up b’tw’n 2s), 1s end (hold LH) facing 1st crnrs
17-24 == 1s set to 1st crnrs, turn inwards & set to 3rd corner as 3rd crnrs set adv to dance RH across with 1s, 1s end turning to face 2nd crnrs
25-32 == 1s repeat bars 17-24 with 2nd/4th corners but dancing LH across
========================
John McAlpin
A strathspey of three dancing couples in a four couple set.
* The first couple advance on step in order to touch Right hands together before they retreat again. This is so that they can come forward again and turn halfway by the Left hand (woman now on man's side, man on woman's). They switch to Right hands in order to lead down one place then take Left hands for a three quarter turn which puts them facing their first corners.
* Now its a corner-partner-corner-partner maneuver wherein the dancing couple turn their first corners by the Right hand, their partner by the Left hand, their second corner by the Right hand and their partner again by the Left hand. Then end up on their own side of the dance in second place.
* This next maneuver looks like racing the tide to me. The second, first, and third ladies take hands and set. They advance two steps across while the second, first, and third men set. The women end up nose to nose with their partners. The ladies retire two steps while the men advance two steps. The ladies set again while the men retreat back to place.
* The three couples cross by the Right hand, circle 6 hands around to the left half way (so that women are on the women's side of the dance, men are on the men's), cross by the Left hand and circle six hands around to the right half way so that everyone is again back on their own side of the dance.
==========
Notes :-- This might be called "Right then Left then Right" because each hand is used in turn and turn about.
==========
JOHN MCALPIN (S8x32) 3C (4C set)
H Foss Galloway Album
1- 8 == 1s Adv+Ret 1 step (touch RH), 1/2 turn LH, lead down 1 place & 3/4 turn LH to face 1st corners
9-16 == 1s turn RH 1st corner, turn partner LH, turn RH 2nd corner, turn partner LH ending on own sides
17-24 == 2L+1L+3L set, Adv+Ret & set while 2M+1M+3M stand for 2 bars, set, Adv+Ret
25-32 == 2s+1s+3s cross RH, circle 6H round to left 1/2 way, cross LH & circle 6H round to right 1/2 way
========================
The Solway Reel
A reel of four dancing couples in a four couple set.
* The first man and the fourth lady cast out of the set coming in to the midde of the set between the twos and the threes to meet and turn by the right hand one and a half times before casting out of the set on the "wrong" side to end in the other person's place.
* The first woman and the fourth man cast out of the set coming back into the middle of the set between the twos and threes to meet and turn by the left hands one and a half times before exiting the set again through the twos and threes on the "wrong side" and continuing to the other person's place.
{The first couple are now in fourth place and the fourth couple are in first place, with the women on the men's side of the dance and the men on the women's}
* The second and third couples set and move into the middle, turning to face up and down (respectively, twos face up, threes face down) they take hands and head in the direction they're facing, splitting and casting around the person on the end back to place. They dance right hands across half-way (so that the men are on the woman's side and the women on the mens)
{the order from the top is now fourth couple, third couple, second couple, first couple, with everyone on the 'wrong' side.}
* Everyone takes hand and circle eight hands around half-way so that everyone is right back where they started from.
* first and second couples do half of a Rights and Lefts.
* first couple and third couple do half a Rights and Lefts.
* first couple and fourth couple do half a Rights and Lefts.
{Everyone is again on the wrong side of the dance}
* Everyone sets and crosses to their own side by the right hand.
{Order of the dance from the top is now 2s-3s-4s-1s. Dance begins again immediately with new top and bottom couples}
==========
Notes :-- This reminds me of Strip the Willow with the way it begins with the first and fourth couples moving and the progression of the first couple down to the bottom of the set.
==========
THE SOLWAY REEL (R4x48) 4C set
J Killeen Carlisle Anniv Bk
1- 8 == 1M & 4L cast in 1 place, turn RH 1.1/2 times & cast to each others place
9-16 == 1L & 4M cast in 1 place & dance into centre, turn LH 1.1/2 times & cast to each others place
17-24 == 2s & 3s set, dance up/down, cast back to places & dance RH across 1/2 way
25-32 == All set, circle 8H round to left 1/2 way to original places & set
33-40 == 1s+2s 1/2 R&L, 1s+3s 1/2 R&L
41-48 == 1s+4s 1/2 R&L, all set & cross RH. 2 3 4 1
=============================
Dancers :--
Helen
Heather
Ginny & Colin
Betty Rose
Iain (sgeith) 's Marilyn
Gretchen and Dave (bard)
Greta (dathlann) and Andrew (gàire)
Gregory 's Vickery
Jenn Trinkhaus
Kristin Rose
Bev
Marguerite
Marcia came to watch, wearing witchy stripedy socks, but she left early. Tom (leinne), and Sandy and David (reòiteag) arrived late. I left early because my foot was beginning to threaten to give out on me.
==============
Afterword: I was chatting with LondonBard and these rhymes sprang to my fingertips.
Iain was there with a flashing kilt flair,
he dances so lightly I find it mete
to hight him Sgeith for the wings on his feet.
Marcia three times was there at the side,
her witchy stripe stockings were not easy to hide.
Heather was there and Betty Rose so neat,
and Flo with the smile and sweet Marguerite,
their names are their descriptions and what can I say,
but these are the partners I danced yesterday