Saturday, April 30, 2011

Lesson Plan for May 2, 2011

Attached is the plan for this week and next week. We will squeeze in Sleepy Maggie and Flowers of Edinburgh, as well as doing Argo Pond again.  This time we'll also work on "regular" set-and-link in Earl of Northampton.  My sister Kate suggests that having the 2-couple version firmly in mind makes doing the 3-couple version less mysterious. Let's hope!
According to my notes, if we do these things this week and next, we'll have done all of the ball dances at least once since April 11. Click for complete list of dance "cribs".

MRS STEWART'S JIG   J8x32  3C (4C set)                       F Ligtmans RSCDS 35

   1-8     1s set, and 1W cast off two places (round 3W), followed by partner
              (2s step up); 1W dance across the set and up the men’s side,
              (outside the set) to 2nd place on opposite side facing down.
             1M dance up the middle to 2nd place on opposite side facing down.

 9-16     All three couples dance a Grand Chain. 1M and 2M end facing out.

17-24   2s and 1s dance Ladies' Chain (Men turn LH).

25-32   All three couples Advance-and-Retire.
            1s turn-RH 1½ times to own sides.

SLEEPY MAGGIE   R8x32   3C (4C set) A Bowman       RSCDS Book 11
 1- 8         1s+2s circle 4H round to left, 1s set & cast 1 place (2s up 7-8)

 9-16        1s+3s dance RH across & LH back (1s end facing 1st corners)

17-24       1s set to & turn 1st corners; set & turn 2nd corners

25-32       1s dance reels of 3 on opposite sides giving LSh to 1st corners;
                1s cross by right to own sides

Dance Notes
           All rather fast and furious!
6         At the end of LH-across, it's awkward for 1M to get to his 1st corner.
25-30  SIX-bar reels.
32       For the second time through, 1s change to nearer hand hold
           after crossing RH, thereby ready for 4 hands round.

THE EARL OF NORTHAMPTON  S8x32  2C (4C set)
                                                           Virginia Van Scoy, Boston Branch 50
1-8       1s  & 2s dance Set-and-Link, and circle 4H left.
             (In S&L, LH-held: cast up; RH-held: into centre.)

9-16     2s & 1s dance back-to-back (DoSiDos)
             and turn both-hands into promenade-hold

17-24   2s & 1s dance the first six bars of the Allemande
            (but replace last two bars by RH turn),
            ending in centre by turning RH once around
            (ending in centre with RH joined).

25-32   1s & 2s dance the Knot.

ARGO POND  S8x32  3C                                                 Dan Blim
  1- 8    1s & 2s dance set-and-rotate: Both couples set facing partner.
             Pulling right shoulder back (both couples), cast one place
             clockwise around the ring. Facing partner on the side,
             change places RH, and chase clockwise one place to
             progressed place. 1M, with 1W behind him, end facing 2M.

  9-16   1s dance a half-dolphin-reel with 1st corners: as 1s pass 2M,
             they turn individually to put the 1W in the lead.
            1s end facing 3M for a half-dolphin-reel with 2nd corners.
            1s end in 2nd place on opposite sides.

17-24   All three couples dance set-and-link for three, twice.

25-32   All three couples circle six hands around to the left and back.

FLOWERS OF EDINBURGH    R8x32  3C (4C set)    RSCDS Book 1
  1-8     1W, followed by partner, cast off two places.
            1W dances up behind the men’s side
             as 1M dances up the middle  to 1st place on opposite sides.
             Set.

  9-16   Repeat bars 1-8 with 1M, ending on own sides.

17-24   1s lead down the middle and up.

25-32   1s and 2s couples dance the poussette.

Lesson Plan for April 25, 2011

We'll continue working on moving with pas de Basque in a night that will include:


THE MACHINE WITHOUT HORSES   J8x32   3C  (4C set)    RSCDS Book 12
  1-8      1s set, cast off one place, 2s step up. 1s and 3s dance RH-across.

 9-16     1s set, cast up one place, 2s step down. 1s and 2s dance LH-across.

17-24    1s, followed by 2s, dance down through the 3s, cast up,

             dance up to the top. 1s cast off to 2nd place, 2s finish at the top.

25-32   2s and 1s dance rights-and-lefts


ARGO POND  S8x32  3C                                                    Dan Blim
  1- 8    1s & 2s dance set-and-rotate: Both couples set facing partner.
             Pulling right shoulder back (both couples), cast one place
             clockwise around the ring. Facing partner on the side,
             change places RH, and chase clockwise one place to
             progressed place. 1M, with 1W behind him, end facing 2M.

  9-16   1s dance a half-dolphin-reel with 1st corners: as 1s pass 2M,
             they turn individually to put the 1W in the lead.
            1s end facing 3M for a half-dolphin-reel with 2nd corners.
            1s end in 2nd place on opposite sides.

17-24   All three couples dance set-and-link for three, twice.

25-32   All three couples circle six hands around to the left and back.


THE AUSTRALIAN LADIES R8x32  3C       Robert Campbell, Glasgow Assembly
  1-8       1s cross-RH and cast off two places.
              2s and 3s step up bars 3–4. 3s and 1s dance RH-across.

 9-16     1s lead to the top, cross and cast off one place.
             3s step down bars 11–12.
             2s and 1s dance LH-across.

17-32   1s cross-RH and cast right around 1st corner,
             cross right up and down and cast right
            and cast right around second corners,
            cross right and cast right around third corners,
            cross right and cast right to second place

           while 2s and 3s set, cross with partner by the right,
           set, cross with neighbor by the right,
           set and cross with partner by the right,
           and set and cross with neighbor by the right.

THE WILD GEESE   J8x32   3C (4C set)             RSCDS Book 24
   1- 8    1s+3s set advancing to midline to form line of four;
              with partner on right balance in line,
              turn partners ¾ RH;
             1s cast to 3rd place while 3s lead up to 1st place

  9-16     3s+1s repeat bars 1-8 from new positions with 3s casting
              and 1s leading up. (end 1,2,3)
 (9-16)       3s+1s dance in & balance in line, turn partners ¾ RH;
                  3s cast to 3rd place while 1s lead up to 1st place

17-24    1s lead down the middle and back up to 2nd place.
             (2s step up 19–20)

25-32    2s and 1s dance rights-and-lefts.

FLOWERS OF EDINBURGH ... if time (band to practise new set)

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Lesson Plan for April 18, 2011

It's a third Monday, so a technique class.  

• moving with pas de basque
• poussette (quick time)


THE CHEQUERED COURT J8x32  3C (4C set)  Duncan Brown   RSCDS Book 42
 1- 8     1s cross RH and cast down one place; 2s step up bars 3–4.
            1M dance  ½ figure of 8 up while 1W dance ½ figure of 8 down,
             to end facing 1st corners.

9-16    1s dance Corners-Pass-&-Turn with 1st corners.
           1s pull right shoulder back (loop round in centre) to end back-to-back
            facing partner’s 2nd corner (AKA 4th corner).
            1s dance Corners-Pass-&-Turn with partner’s 2nd corners,
            (loop round) to end back-to-back facing own sides
            in Double Triangles position.

17-24   All three couples dance Double Triangles.
            1M end between the 3s, facing 3M;
            1W end between 2s, facing 2W.

25-32   1s dance 6-bar right-shoulder reel of three across the dance (right
             shoulder to 4th corner), ending in 2nd place on opposite sides;
             cross RH to own sides. (end: 2, 1, 3)



FLOWERS OF EDINBURGH    R8x32  3C (4C set)    RSCDS Book 1
  1-8     1W, followed by partner, cast off two places.
            1W dances up behind the men’s side 
             as 1M dances up the middle  to 1st place on opposite sides. 
             Set.

  9-16   Repeat bars 1-8 with 1M, ending on own sides.

17-24   1s lead down the middle and up.

25-32   1s and 2s couples dance the poussette.



THE EARL OF NORTHAMPTON  S8x32  2C (4C set)
                                                            Virginia Van Scoy, Boston Branch 50
1-8       1s  & 2s dance Set-and-Link, and circle 4H left.
             (In S&L, LH-held: cast up; RH-held: into centre.)

9-16     2s & 1s dance back-to-back (DoSiDos) 
             and turn both-hands into promenade-hold

17-24   2s & 1s dance the first six bars of the Allemande 
            (but replace last two bars by RH turn), 
            ending in centre by turning RH once around
            (ending in centre with RH joined).

25-32   1s & 2s dance the Knot.

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Lesson Plan for April 11, 2011

We'll be having an evening of setting and corner figures.  If there's time, I'd like to do Linnea's Strathspey, but more likely, we'll go straight to Flowers of Edinburgh.

Review Pas de Basque for new dancers!

CATCH THE WIND   R8x32  3C (4C set)  R Butterfield  RSCDS Bk 45
  1- 8       1s set, cast 1 place & dance ½ Fig of 8 round 2s

  9-16      1s set twice with 1L turning to face out on 4th setting step,
                1L followed by partner casts up & dances down the middle
                1L ends to face 3M while 1M faces 2M

17-24       1s RSh reels of 3 across (1M with 2s & 1L with 3s)

25-32      1L, followed by partner, dances down to cast up round 3M
                & crosses to end in 2nd place on own sides, 1s turn RH (4 bars)

"CATCH THE WIND" on YouTube. Note use of handkerchief!


THE CHEQUERED COURT J8x32  3C (4C set)  Duncan Brown   RSCDS Book 42
 1- 8     1s cross RH and cast down one place; 2s step up bars 3–4.
            1M dance  ½ figure of 8 up while 1W dance ½ figure of 8 down,
             to end facing 1st corners.

9-16    1s dance Corners-Pass-&-Turn with 1st corners.
           1s pull right shoulder back (loop round in centre) to end back-to-back
            facing partner’s 2nd corner (AKA 4th corner).
            1s dance Corners-Pass-&-Turn with partner’s 2nd corners,
            (loop round) to end back-to-back facing own sides
            in Double Triangles position.

17-24   All three couples dance Double Triangles.
            1M end between the 3s, facing 3M;
            1W end between 2s, facing 2W.

25-32   1s dance 6-bar right-shoulder reel of three across the dance (right
             shoulder to 4th corner), ending in 2nd place on opposite sides;
             cross RH to own sides. (end: 2, 1, 3)




Dance Information
The dance was named after The Chequered Court at Saint Andrews University, where the RSCDS meets for the yearly Summer School. It is the passage connecting the two main buildings comprising University Hall, and is a general meeting place for casual chats and tea/coffee. Often a good pick-up place for parties, as the party room is just round the corner.

"THE CHEQUERED COURT" on YouTube

SIMON BRODIE  S8x32   3C (4C set)     J Young   18C Dances
 1- 8    1M and 2L set advancing, turn 2H. 1L and 2M repeat
           (set advancing, turn 2H).

 9-16   1s lead down, cross below 3s & cast up to 2nd place on opposite sides
           (2s step up bars 11-12).  2s and 1s dance rights-and-lefts
           (1 bar per hand), 1s end facing 1st corners

17-24  1s set to and turn 2H with 1st corners & 2nd corners, ending in 2nd place
           (middle) facing ladies’ side: lady on man’s left (1M below).

25-28  1s dance out on ladies’ side (between 2L & 3L), cast round nearer lady
            to meet in the middle, turn 2H to end facing men’s side:
            lady on man’s left (1M below).

29-32  1s dance out on men’s side (between 2M & 3M), cast round nearer man
           to meet in the middle, turn LH to place on own side.


SLEEPY MAGGIE   R8x32   3C (4C set) A Bowman       RSCDS Book 11
 1- 8         1s+2s circle 4H round to left, 1s set & cast 1 place (2s up 7-8)

 9-16        1s+3s dance RH across & LH back (1s end facing 1st corners)

17-24       1s set to & turn 1st corners; set & turn 2nd corners

25-32       1s dance reels of 3 on opposite sides giving LSh to 1st corners;
                1s cross by right to own sides

Dance Notes
           All rather fast and furious!
6         At the end of LH-across, it's awkward for 1M to get to his 1st corner. 
25-30  SIX-bar reels. 
32       For the second time through, 1s change to nearer hand hold
           after crossing RH, thereby ready for 4 hands round.


LINNEA'S STRATHSPEY  S8x32  3C (4C set)        T Wilson Dunsmuir Dances
 1- 8      1s set and cast 1 place, 1s cross passing LSh and cast RSh round
             1st corners. 1s end back-to-back facing 1st corners. 2s step up 3-4.


 9-16     1s set to corners and partner ('hello-goodbye' setting) and end
             passing RSh to face out in 2nd place
 on own side.

17-24    “Promenade chain progression” ("chaperoned" chain progression):
               2s and 3s turn RH ¾ into middle
             while 1s cast to right (dance clockwise ¼ round the set).
             2M+3L turn LH 1½ times
             while 1M/2W take promenade hold
             and 1W/3M take reverse-promenade hold and dance clockwise
             ½ way round the set.
             3s and 2s turn RH ¾ and remain in centre facing up
             while 1s dance clockwise ¼ round the set to end in 2nd place
            on own sides in centre facing up

25-32    2s+1s+3s dance Allemande


FLOWERS OF EDINBURGH    R8x32  3C (4C set)    RSCDS Book 1
  1-8     1W, followed by partner, cast off two places.
            1W dances up behind the men’s side as 1M dances up the middle
             to 1st place on opposite sides. Set.

  9-16   Repeat bars 1-8 with 1M, ending on own sides.

17-24   1s lead down the middle and up.





Saturday, April 2, 2011

Lesson Plan for April 4, 2011

Review Crossover Reels

ANDERSON'S RANT   R8x32  3C (4C set)                                      MMM 1
 1- 8     1s dance reflection reels of 3 on opposite sides

 9-16    1s dance reflection reels of 3 on own sides

17-24   1s lead down the middle & back to 2nd place own sides

25-32   1s dance ½ Figs of 8 round 2s & ½ Fig of 8 round 3s back to 2nd place



MACLEOD'S TABLES J8x32  3C (4C set)  Derek Haynes, Carnforth Collection 3
1-8      1s cross down to dance mirror reels with 2s and 3s on opposite sides. 
           1s and 3s end facing up and down.

9-16    1s and 3s couples dance a mens’ chain up and down the middle.
            (M turn each other by LH; then turn W by RH).

17-24  1s set, cast off, and turn RH 1½ times to own side. 
            2s step up bars 19–20.

25-32  2s+1s+3s circle 6H round and back.


Duirinish is a peninsula on the island of Skye in Scotland. It is situated in the north west between Loch Dunvegan and Loch Bracadale.
The main peaks on Duirinish are Healabhal Mhòr and Healabhal Bheag, which reach 469 metres (1,539 ft) 488 metres (1,601 ft) respectively and are better known as MacLeod's Tables.
They lie in the centre of the Duirinish peninsula and their distinctive shapes are visible throughout much of northwest Skye. 
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Review Diamond Poussette.


THE MINISTER ON THE LOCH   S3x32   3C set     R Goldring  24 G & S Dances
 1- 8     1s+2s dance Diamond Poussette right round

 9-16    1s dance down for 2 steps, turn 2H, dance up to top & turn 2H

17-24   1s+3s dance double Fig of 8 round 2s with 1s casting to start

25-32   1M+2M turn LH 1½ times while 1L+2L turn RH 1½ times,
            1M+3M turn RH 1½ times while 1L+3L turn LH 1½ times

"The Minister on the Loch" on YouTube (St Andrew's RSCDS demo team)


The Reverend Robert Walker Skating on Duddingston Loch, better known by its shorter title The Skating Minister, is an oil painting by Sir Henry Raeburn in the National Gallery of Scotland in Edinburgh. Painted in the 1790s, it was practically unknown until about 1949; today, however, it is one of Scotland's best-known paintings. It is considered an icon of Scottish culture, produced during one of the most remarkable periods in the country's history, the Scottish Enlightenment.
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WHITE HEATHER JIG  J40  4C (set)       James Cosh, 22 SCD
1- 8     1s turn-RH, cast off one place, 2s step up bars 3–4 
            1s turn-LH 1½ times to finish between 2s facing opposite sides.

9-16    1s and 2s dance a RSh reel of 4 across. 
           1s end passing right shoulders to face 1st corners.

17-24 1s turn corner, partner, corner, partner, finishing between 3s, 
           back-to-back facing opposite sides.

25-32 1s and 3s dance a RSh reel for 4 across. 3s end in 2nd place.

33-40 1s turn-LH, cast off one place on own sides, 4s step up bars 35-36
           1s turn-RH   (2,3,4,1)


"The White Heather Jig" on YouTube: relaxed tempo!


Heather (Calluna vulgaris) is native to Scotland. It is an evergreen shrub that flowers in late summer. Usually the flowers are in the pink or purple family, but there are also the less common white heather plants, a good luck symbol. They do fine in poor, sandy, acidic soil.
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(alternate) 
MISS OGILVIE'S FANCY  S8x32  3C (4C)           W Campbell  RSCDS Bk 20
 1- 8     1s+2s dance Diamond Poussette right round

 9-16    1s lead down the middle for 3 steps,
             back to top & cast to 2nd place

17-24   1s+3s circle 4H round & back

25-32   2s+1s dance Rights-and-Lefts


REEL OF THE ROYAL SCOTS   R8x32    3C (4C set)  R Goldring  SCD Leaflet 7
 1- 8         1s ½-turn 2s on sides (1M RH - 1L LH) to face out
                (double-triangle position),
                2s+1s+3s set, 1s ½-turn 3s on sides (1M LH - 1L RH),
                end 3s facing out & 2s+3s+1s set

 9-16       1s followed by 3s dance up between 2s, cast down 1 place, dance in
                & 1s cast up to 2nd place 3s end in 3rd place

17-24      1s turn 1st corners RH, pass partner RSh, turn 2nd corners RH,
                & cross passing partner RSh to 2nd place own sides

25-32      2s+1s+3s circle 6H round & back


"The Reel of the Royal Scots" on YouTube (with proper signature tune)


The Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment) was the oldest Regiment in the British Army and, as such, was the senior Infantry Regiment of the Line. It was raised in 1633 when Sir John Hepburn, under a Royal Warrant from King Charles I, recruited 1200 men in Scotland. They were active in almost every campaign the British Army has fought; the last Battle Honour awarded being Gulf 1991. On 28 March 2006, 373 years to the day since its formation, The Royal Scots merged with the other surviving Scottish Infantry Regiments to form The Royal Regiment of Scotland.
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