Eight by Thirty-Two

Spice it Up 8x32 J

SPICE IT UP

32 Bar Jig for 3 couples in a 4-couple longwise set

1-8     1s lead down the middle and up

9-16     1s, 2s and 3s dance 3 couple Allemande

17-20     3s and 2s set and link (two top couples) Finish 2, 3, 1

21-24     3s and 1s set and link (two bottom couples) Finish 2, 1, 3

25-28     2s, 1s, 3s set and cross RH.

29-32     2s, 1s, 3s chase halfway round, to finish 3, 1, 2*

Repeat having passed a couple.

*Please Note: This dance has an unusual progression, with the 3rd couple at top place after the first turn of the dance. The original 2s are top couple on the 4th repetition of the dance.

A lively jig is recommended. I use Marianne Anderson’s Kangaroo Paw, Cut #14

Devised by: Merrill Heubach (nika [at] eastlink.ca), Lunenburg, NS

UPDATE 20 March 2008: Bars 25-32 corrected
UPDATE 24 March 2008: Explanation of progression corrected

Mary Stewart Ashworth 8x32 R

MARY STEWART ASHWORTH

1-4     1s set, cross down to 2nd place facing out (2s step up)

5-8     1L cast up round 2M, down the middle & pull back R Sh to face up, while
1M cast down round 3L, up the middle & pull back R Sh to face down, back to back with 1L

9-16     1s dance out through the ends, cast round to the right, dance in through 2nd place and pull back R Sh to face out, back to back in the middle, while 2s & 3s set, advance and retire (6 bars); All take hands and set as in double triangles (2 bars)

17-24     1s dance out through the sides, cast round to the right, dance in through the ends and pull back R Sh to face up and down, back to back in the middle, 1M facing up while 2s & 3s set facing up and down, advance & retire up and down the dance (6 bars); All take hands and set as in double triangles (2 bars)

25-32     1s reel of three on the side, R Sh to 2nd corner (6 bars); 1s cross over RH (2 bars)

Devised by Joyce Cochrane (jcochrane [at] jcochrane.karoo.co.uk) in memory of a fellow branch member who died recently.

Auchindrain 8x32 R

AUCHINDRAIN

A 32-bar Reel for three couples in a four-couple longwise set.

1 - 4     First couple set, cross down one place. Second couple move up.

5 - 8     First couple dance down behind third couple and dance up (near hands joined) to finish back to back in the center of the dance facing corners ready for…

9 -16     Double Triangles. First couple end back to back in the middle facing corners as before.

17-24     First couple turn first corners with the right hand, pass one another by the right shoulder in the middle; turn second corners with right hands and, passing one another by right shoulders, cross back to own sides and face out in second place. Corners dance for four bars.

25-32     Second, first and third couples dance right shoulder reels of three on the sides. To begin: Second couple dance in and down; first man dances out and up; first woman dances out and down; third couple dance in and up.

Repeat from second place.

Tune: Auchindrain (© Nigel Gatherer)

Dance devised 28 November 2007and © 2007 by Peter M. Price (peter.price1672 [at] gmail.com). All rights reserved. Permission is granted for verbatim reproduction and non-profit distribution of this leaflet provided that this notice remains intact.

Pumpking Baker 8x32 R

THE PUMPKING BAKER

32-bar reel for 3 couples in a 4-couple longwise set

1-8     Mirror reels of 3, 1C dancing in and down to begin

9-12     1C mirror turns with 2C 1-1/2 times to change places, women
turning LH, men turning RH

13-16     1C mirror turn 3C about 1-3/4 round with the other hand (women RH, men
LH) to end back-to-back in the middle ready for

17-24     Double triangles.

25-32     Six hands round and back.

Tune: No specific tune assigned as of yet, but a driving reel is suggested.

Devised by Craig Chamberlain and Lara Friedman-Shedlov (lfriedmanshedlov [at] gmail.com) in December 2007, based on a sequence of formations Craig thought he remembered doing before. We couldn't find a dance that had the sequence, so we made one up. The word "pumpking" originated as a typo for the word pumpkin, but was subsequently given its own definition: "to gorge on deliciousness."

Trip to Fanwood 8x32 J

TRIP TO FANWOOD

A 32-bar jig for 3 couples in a longwise set

1 – 4     1st couple cross giving right hands, cast off two places, cross below the 3rd couple giving left hands, cast up one place and finish in centre facing first corners. 2nd couple step up on bars 7 and 8.

9 - 16     1st couple dance half a diagonal reel of four with first corners, then turn with the left hand once round to face second corners.

17- 24     1st couple dance half a diagonal reel of four with second corners, then turn with the left hand one and a half times to finish in the centre, man below woman

25 - 28     1st woman with 3rd couple (at the top) and 1st man with 2nd couple (in third place), right hands across. 1st couple finish passing partner by left shoulder in the centre and dancing out towards opposite side. All flow into…

29 – 32     Chase clockwise half way, to finish on own side in order 2,1,3.

Repeat from new places.


Devised by Chris Ronald (chris1ronald [at] aol.com) in October 2006 on the occasion of being invited to teach the ‘Happy Soles’ in Fanwood, NJ.

Mentor, The 96 S

THE MENTOR

A 96 bar Strathspey for 4 couples in a square set.

First Figure.

1 - 8    All four men dance right hands across 1-1/4 round; they dance out and cast to the right, behind the lady opposite their partner, and curve round by the right to face her.

9 -16    All four couples dance a double reel of four.

17 - 24     The men dance four hands round to the right in the centre finishing by pulling back their left shoulders to face the opposite lady; all set and, giving right hands, change places.

25 - 32    All dance a double targe:

The ladies dance left hands across 3/4 round while the men dance on one place clockwise. The men turn the ladies with the right hand; these four bars are repeated, but on bars 31-32 all turn 3/4 to finish facing into the centre with the ladies on the left of the men.

Second Figure.

1 - 8    All four ladies dance right hands across 1¼ round; they dance out and cast to the right, behind their (original) partner, and curve round by the right to face him.

9 -16     All four couples dance a double reel of four.

17 - 24    The ladies dance four hands round to the right in the centre finishing by pulling back their left shoulders to face their partner; all set and, giving right hands, change places.

25 - 32    All dance a double targe:

The men dance left hands across 3/4 round while the ladies dance on one place clockwise. The ladies turn their partner with the right hand; these four bars are repeated, but on bars 31-32 all turn partner 3/4 to finish facing into the centre opposite original places.

Third Figure.

1 - 8    All set to their partners turn 3/4 with the right hand to promenade hold and dance two places clockwise to original places.

9 - 16    First and third couples, set and, pulling their right shoulders back, cast into the set to face across the dance. They dance four hands round for two bars and the men lead their partners out to original places.

17 - 24    Second and fourth couples repeat bars 9 - 16.

25 - 32    Eight hands round and back

Music: suitable recorded music is "Singing Sands" on Reflections of Dalriada.

Devised by Brian Charlton (briangcharlton [at] gmail.com), October, 2007. This dance was written to honour Margaret Sim on the occasion of her being presented with a well-deserved RSCDS Branch Award at the Branch Closing Social on 8th December 2007. Margaret has been a mentor for dancers, teachers, clubs and the Branch over many years.

Miss Ilona Brown 5x32 S

MISS ILONA BROWN

32-bar strathspey for 5 couples in a longwise set

1 - 4     1s & 3s lead down two places, cross over below 4s & 5s, and cast up one place (2s & 4s step up on 1 & 2)

5 - 8     All 5 couples turn partners with both hands(2s, 4s and 5s turn once finishing in sidelines; 1s & 3s turn 1-1/2 and finish in middle, facing up, nearer hands joined)

9 - 12     1s & 3s dance up for 2, set to partners,

13 - 16     1s & 3s dance down for 2, turn partners with both hands and finish facing first corners (lady pulls back R Sh, as in Sugar Candie)

17 - 24     1s & 3s set to first corners, dance round each other (R Sh back) to face second corners, 1s & 3s set to second corners, dance round each other to finish 1L between 2s facing 2L, 3M between 5s facing 5M, 1M 3L between 4s, 1M facing 4M, 3L facing 4L (1M & 3L pass L Sh)

25 - 32     1s & 3s dance the LOOP and cross down to third & fifth places, i.e.

     [3] half reels of three / four across (R Sh to start) – on bar 3 1s & 3s change to other reel

     [3] half reels of three / four across (R Sh)

     [2] 2s 4s 5s loop round / dance up to finish 2s at top, 4s in 2nd place, 5s in 4th place, while 1s & 3s cross down to 3rd & 5th place, passing partners L Sh

NOTE: in bars 25 – 32, although the reels are continuous, the priority changes in the reels of three, so they are actually two half reels

Devised by Malcolm Brown (mlamontbrown [at] btopenworld.com). Miss Ilona Brown is one of his grand-daughters. This dance was the result of having five couples in the class when wanting to teach a three couple dance (in a four couple set).

Jean 8x32 J

JEAN

32-bar Jig for three couples in a 4-couple longwise set.

Bars
1 - 8     First couple set to one another, cross over giving right hands; cast off one place, and set again, pulling back right shoulders on bar 8 to face out in second place improper. (Second couple step up on bars 5-6).

9 -16     Right shoulder reels of three on the sides. To begin - corners dance in, first lady dances out and up and first man dances out and down. On bars 15-16 first couple cross from the ends of their reel into second place own sides facing out.

17-24     Left shoulder reels of three on the sides . To begin - corners dance in, first lady dances out and up and first man dances out and down. On bars 23-24 first couple cross from the ends of their reels to end back to back in the middle of the set facing partner's side of the dance.

25-32     Inverting Double Triangles:
     25-26     All set in double triangles position.
     27-28     All set advancing and pull right shoulders back. End - first couple in second place improper facing one another across the dance and corners in the center of the set, back to back with partner, facing own sides.
     29-30     All set in inverted double triangles positions.
     31-32     First couple, giving right hands, cross back to own sides while corners set advancing and pull back right shoulders to end in place facing partner.

Repeat from second place.

Tune: Short Apron (Traditional) (ABC notation below)

Dance devised 1/4/08 by Peter M. Price (peter.price1672 [at] gmail.com) in honor of Jean Attwood, author of 'The Falls of Rogie' and many other good dances. This dance is drawn, shamelessly, from her dance
'Glen Falloch' in Alexander Dances #2.

© 2008 by Peter M. Price. All rights reserved. Permission is granted for verbatim reproduction and
non-profit distribution of this leaflet provided that this notice remains intact.

ABC Notation for "Short Apron":

X: 1
T: Short Apron
C: Traditional
L: 1/8
M: 6/8
R: Jig
Q: 1/4 = 168
K: F
f | cAA fAA | aAA cGG |1 cAA aAA | aAc ~d2 :|2 AGF fga | ge^c d2 ||
c |Acd cAF | (A/B/c)A (G2 B) |1 Acd cAF | f2 e d2 :|2 AGF f>ga | ge^c d2 ||

De’il Amang the Gaylors 8x32 R

DE'IL AMANG THE GAYLORS
32-bar Reel for 4 couples in a 6- or 8-couple set

Formation:
          2W 2M 4W 4M 6W 6M ( 8W 8M )
    Top
          1M 1W 3M 3W 5M 5W ( 7M 7W )

1-8     1C & 2C, and 3C & 4C: Set, RH across halfway, set, LH across halfway

9-12     1C & 4C diagonal rights and lefts halfway

13-16     2C & 3C diagonal rights and lefts halfway

17-24     All: Cross RH with opposite, set to opposite, change places LH with partner, set to partner.

25-32     Eight hands round and back

During the second repetition, 1C and 2C dance with 5C and 6C, while 3C and 4C stand out at the top.

In a six-couple set: during the third repetition 3C and 4C dance with 5C and 6C while 1C and 2C stand out at the bottom, then the pattern repeats three more times.

In an eight couple set, the progression of couples resembles the progression of individuals in a normal 8-person set.

Suitable music: De'il Amang the Tailors

Devised by Mike Briggs (briggslaw [at] yahoo.com), 2007, for Ian and the rest of the Gaylor clan of Madison,
Wisconsin

Examination Fever 8x32 J

EXAMINATION FEVER
32-bar Jig for 3 couples set in a 4-couple longwise set

1–8     1st and 3rd couples dance a double figure of eight around standing 2nd couple, 1st couple crossing down and 3rd couple dance up to begin.
1st couple ends up with nearer hand joined in the middle of the set (facing down), while 2nd couple steps in on bar 8, nearer hands joined facing up.

9–16     1st and 2nd couples dance a “Half Rondel”:
    9-10     1st couple dance under an arch made by 2nd couple, to change places
    11-12     2nd and 1st couples change sides, women passing in front of the men
    13-14    2nd and 1st couples set on the sidelines
    15-16    2nd and 1st couples cross back to own sides, giving left hands.

17–20     All three couples dance six hands to the right for six slip steps and then, on bar 20, cross left foot over the right (releasing hands) and pivot round to face out pulling right shoulder back.

21-24     2nd, 1st and 3rd couples chase round clockwise back to own sides.
On bar 24 3rd lady and 2nd man end up facing out, ready to start the Reel (in the opposite direction).

25–32     2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance a “Reel of Three” on own sides.
1st man starts dancing in and up, while 1st lady dances in and down.

Repeat, having passed a couple

Devised by Martina Mueller-Franz (mcmuellerfranz [at] aol.com), 02. August 2007. This dance is dedicated to a number of friends (in alphabetic order): Eva-Maria Beckmann, Antje Böttcher, Birgit Frie, Gabrielle Funhoff, Chris Houston-Dewilde, Dirk Kölbl, Daniéle Landrieau, Luitgard Merkens, Anika McGregor, Birgit Röhricht, Antoine Rousseau, Thomas Stork, Sjoerd van Leersum, Iryna Zhurakovska and Claudia Zyla, who attended different Units of the RSCDS Teaching Certificate in Summer and Autumn 2007.

Dancing on Water 4x32 S

DANCING ON WATER
32-bar Strathspey for a 4 couple longwise set

2 chords – couples 3 and 4 start from opposite sides

1-4     1st couple cross right hand and cast off one place
while 4th couple cross right hand and cast up one place.
2nd and 3rd couples step up/down on bars 3-4.

5-8     2nd + 3rd couples set + cross over right hands to opposite sides (and face in)
while 1st and 4th couples (in the middle places) set + link to change places (keep facing the direction they are coming).
All 4 couples may give hands on the sidelines while setting.

9-12     4th and 1st couples (= middle couples) dance a full right hands across.
At the end 4th couple face up to 2nd couple (which is in top place), and 1st couple faces down to 3rd couple (in bottom place).

13-16     All turn left hands once round (2nd man + 4th lady; 2nd lady + 4th man; 1st man + 3rd lady; 1st lady + 3rd man).

17-24     4th and 1st couple (still middle couples) dance a full “Men’s Chain”.

25-28     2nd couple dance a ½ figure of eight down around 4th couple,
while 3rd couple dance a ½ figure of eight up around 1st couple. (Start by crossing up or down.)

29-32     All four couples turn partner both hands one round.

New order is now: 2 4 1 3

Repeat 3 more times from new places

Devised by Martina Mueller-Franz (mcmuellerfranz [at] aol.com), 31. May 2007. This dance was first tried out during a small occasion in Beelen (near Muenster, Germany) in June 2007. We used a small room adjacent to the organiser's house. I subsequently learned that the wooden floor covers their former small indoor swimming pool. This inspired me to call this dance: “Dancing on Water”.

Irish Bride 8x32 S

THE IRISH BRIDE
8x32 Strathspey for three couples in a 4-couple longwise set

1-2     1st couple turn by the right
3-4     Cast behind own lines into second place (2’s step up)
5-6     1’s, 2’s, and 3’s take hands along sides and set.
7-8     All turn partner by the right finishing in Allemande hold 1’s and 3’s facing up the set, 2’s facing down the set in a line ready to reel. (2's need only turn half way to face down the set.)
9-16     Left shoulder reel of three (in 6 bars) on bars 7 and 8 each couple retires from Allemande hold and back to proper side.
17-24     1st woman dances down the set while 2nd couple casts from first place behind own lines and meet 1st woman at the bottom of the set (4 bars), (1st man step up on bars 3 and 4) ; the 1st woman and 2nd couple “triumph” back to the top of the set. 2’s present 1st woman to 1st man (4 bars).
25-32     1st couple turns both hands twice around in four bars. (2nd couple retires to place). Then, 1st and 2nd couples take waltz hold and dance a strathspey pousette (4 bars).

1st couple repeats having progressed a place.

Devised 2007 by James Mungall (jeb_mungall [at] yahoo.com) for his fiancee Emily Murphy (despite the fact she doesn't Scottish Country Dance.)

Shoplifting Seagulls 16S + 16R

SHOPLIFTING SEAGULLS
16 bar strathspey, 16 bar reel medley for three couples

Strathspey:

1-8     (Casing the store) : First couple set and cast into second place, 2C step up on bars 3 & 4. 1L dance half figure of eight up around 2M to finish in second place on opposite side while 1M dance half figure of eight around 3L to finish in second place on opposite side.

9-16     (Sneaking up on the chips): Second, first and third couples set, advance, retire and set (hands joined on the side)

Reel:

17-24     (Snatching the chips and running away): 1C turn 3/4 with right hands in two bars (the snatch), then dance six bar reels of three across the set (the getaway), 1M with 2C (begins with 1M passing 2L right shoulder) and 1L with 3C (begins with 1L passing 3M right shoulder). 1C finish in second place on own sides.

25-32     (Seagulls rip open the bag and all devour the chips): Second, first and third couples dance the "Grand Slam" as in Kelso Races (2C, 1C, 3C, with hands joined on the side, advance, with 2C and 3C advancing on the diagonal so the couples collapse into a circle, then retire to place, then all three couples turn partner once round with the right hand)

Inspired by Sam, the Shoplifting Seagull of Aberdeen, seen in this (and other) videos:

Visualize the bag of Doritos in second place in the center of the set.

Devised by Lee Fuell (flyingghillies [at] rscdscincinnati.org), Flying Ghillies Scottish Country Dancers, Dayton, OH, USA.

Rosie's Celidh 32J

ROSIE'S CEILIDH

32-bar jig for couple facing couple around the room

Couples facing clockwise are 1C; couples facing anti-clockwise are 2C

1-4     Women dance around the opposite man by the right shoulder.

5-8     All birl /spin with opposite.

9-12     Men dance around their partner by the right shoulder.

13-16     All birl /spin with partner, ending facing partner, 1C with both hands joined.

17-18     1C slip clockwise while 2C slip anti-clockwise (1C go between 2C).

19-20     All set, 2C moving in to join both hands with partner, 1C moving away from partner.

21-22     1C slip anti-clockwise wile 2C slip clockwise (2C go between 1C).

23-24     All set, finishing nearer hands joined with partner.

25-28     All advance and retire.

29-32     All pass opposite by right shoulder, and the next person by the left shoulder to face a new couple (having passed two couples).

Music: "Rosie Tickling Trout" by Sherry Wohlers Ladig (or other sprightly jig)

Devised July 2007 by Lara Friedman-Shedlov (ldfs [at] bigfoot.com) for Audrey McClellan's new book in her Scottish Island Novels series.

UPDATE: "set twice" on bars 19-20 and 23-24 corrected to "set".

See You in Arran 8x32 R

SEE YOU IN ARRAN

32-bar reel for 3 couples in a 4-couple set

1 - 8     1st + 2nd couples dance Set and Rotate*:
Both couples, facing diagonally, set.
Turning right about, they chase round clockwise one place to face partners up and down the set.
They change places with partner, giving right hands, and continue to chase round clockwise one place further.
1st couple end up in 2nd place own side, facing down.
9 – 16     Reels of three on the sidelines 1st couple giving left shoulders to 3rd couple. At the end dancing couple pass right shoulder to face 1st corners.
17 – 24     Turn 1st corner right hand and pass partner right to face 3rd corner (= partners 1st corner).
Turn 3rd corner left hand, and pass partner left to end up facing 2nd corner. Corners dance 4 bars.
25 – 32     Turn 2nd corner right hand and pass partner right to face 4th corner (= partners 2nd corner).
Turn 4th corners left hand, pass partner left shoulder and dance a loop into 2nd place own sides.

Repeat from new positions

*NOTE: ”Set and Rotate” normally begins with couples joining nearer hands on the sidelines, but I prefer this variation with couples facing diagonally (not joining hands) as described in “The Westminster Reel”.

Devised by Martina Mueller-Franz (mcmuellerfranz [at] aol.com) . This dance is dedicated to Christine Hastie and Maggie Westley and all the other people, who helped to organise this great weekend. What a good idea to organise a dancing event at the Isle of Arran!