Eight by Thirty-Two

Ladebraes 4x32 S

LADEBRAES

32 bar Strathspey for 4 couples in a 4-couple longwise set

2 Chords – on the second chord 3rd and 4th couples cross over with partner

1- 4    Taking hands on the sides, all set and turn partner both hands once round, to melt into:

5- 6     1st couple with 2nd couple and 3rd couple with 4th couple four hands round to the left halfway, finishing out on the sidelines.

7- 8     2nd and 3rd couples cross over with partners giving right hands, while 1st and 4th couples ½ turn partner right hands to finish in promenade hold (men have partners on their right) 1st couple facing 2nd woman and 4th couple facing 3rd woman.

9-12     1st and 4th couples ½ diagonal reel of four with 2nd and 3rd women. 1st and 4th couples pass each other right shoulder at the end to finish 1st couple facing 2nd man and 4th couple pacing 3rd man.

13-16     1st and 4th couples ½ diagonal reel of four with the 2nd and 3rd men. At the end, 1st and fourth couple approach the other couple dropping hands with partner at the end of bar 16 to finish in promenade hold 1st and with 4th woman facing out the women's side and 1st woman with 4th man facing out the men's side.

17-20     ½ reels of three on the sidelines. To begin, 1st man & 4th woman give right shoulder to 2nd man and 1st woman & 4th man give right shoulder to 3rd man to begin. At the end of bar 20, 1st and 4th couples drop hands finish in promenade hold with own partners, 1st couple facing out the men's side and 4th couple facing out the women's side.

21-24     ½ reels of three across the dance. To begin, 1st couple pass 3rd man left shoulder and 4th couple pass 2nd man left shoulder. At the end of bar 24, 1st and 4th couples approach each other again.

25-28     1st and 4th couple dance right hands across once round, finishing by retaining hold of partner's right hand ready for:

29-32     1st couple lead down, crossing below 3rd couple and cast up into 3rd place opposite sides, while 4th couple lead up crossing above 2nd couple and cast off in to 2nd place own sides.

Finish in the order 2 4 1 3.

Devised by Duncan Brown, Chudleigh, Devon, UK (duncanqlnbrown [at] tiscali.co.uk).

Tune: Any good strathspey, I really don't mind what at the moment (slow airs or more trad type).

Notes: Ladebraes in St Andrews, Scotland is a short cut between South Street and the Boys Brigade Hall used by dancers 'in the know' on the long walk to the hall. Ladebraes was one of the possible titles of The Chequered Court when I wrote it in 2001. However, I decided that Ladebraes sounded like a strathspey rather than a quick time dance, so here is the dance to go with the title!

Twinkle in His Eye 4x32 S

A TWINKLE IN HIS EYE
32- bar strathspey for 4 couples in a 4-couple set

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

5 - 8    1st and 4th couples dance right hands across once round, 1st and 4th couples keep hold of their partners right hand and finish 1st couple facing up and 4th couple facing down.

9 - 12    1st couple lead up, crossing over and cast off one place while 2nd couple cast off one place and cross up left hand to curve into first place.At the same time, 4th couple lead down, crossing over and cast up one place while 3rd couple cast up one place and cross down right hand to curve
into 4th place.

13 - 16     1st and 4th couples dance half rights and lefts.

17 - 24     4 couple set and link:
    17 - 18     All 4 couples, joining hands, set on the sidelines
    19 - 20     4th man, followed by 2nd man and 1st women followed by 3rd woman pulling the right shoulder back, cast and curve round to the right while 1st man followed by 3rd man and 4th woman followed by 2nd woman dance through the middle of the set, men passing left shoulders with the women and curve to the right to end in lines of four across the dance as shown in figure 1.
    21 - 22     All set in lines of 4 across the dance.
    23 - 24    4 4th man followed by 2nd man and 1st woman followed by 3rd woman, pulling the right shoulder back, cast and curve round to the right while 3rd man followed by 1st man and 2nd woman followed by 4th woman dance through the middle of the set and curve to the right to end in the sidelines in the order 3, 1, 4, 2, everyone on their own side of the dance.

25 - 32     Eight hands round and back.

Repeat from new positions.

Note:
In the 4 couple set and link, the same people are on the right hand ends of the lines in bars 17 -18 and 21 - 22 i.e. 2nd man and 3rd woman however on the left hand end of the line, the people change, so in bars 17 - 18 3rd man and 2nd woman are on the end, whereas in bars 21 - 22 1st man and 4th woman are on the end.

Devised by Chris Godwin, 8th September 2007. Dedicated to Roy Goldring, who devised so many of my favourite dances.

Miss Dow's Strathspey 8x32 S

MISS DOW'S STRATHSPEY

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

1 - 4     1st and 2nd couples set and cross with partners giving right hand, and face out.

5 - 8     2nd couple followed by 1st couple dance down the sides, and in and up around 3rd couple. 2nd couple lead to the top, cross and face out in 1st position. 1st couple lead to centre of the set in 2nd position facing up.

9 - 16     1st, 2nd, and 3rd couples dance Reels of Three on the sides; 1st man with 2nd and 3rd ladies, and 1st lady with 2nd and 3rd men. To begin the 1st couple dance up and out, the 2nd couple out and down, and the 3rd couple out and up. 2nd and 3rd couples finish in 1st and 3rd places respectively, on their own sides by looping into place, while 1st couple finish in 2nd place on their opposite sides.

17 - 20     1st man with 3rd couple, and 1st lady with 2nd couple, dance Three Hands Round to the left. On bar 20 1st couple pass by their right to change circles. ( 2nd and 3rd couples retain their partner's hand, and the shape of the formation while 1st couple change circles.)

21 - 24     1st man with 2nd couple, and 1st lady with 3rd couple, dance Three Hands Round to the right. On bar 24 1st couple pull back left shoulders to face one another in the centre of the set; man facing down lady facing up.

25 - 28     1st couple set to one another and dance a petronella turn to 2nd place on their own sides

29 - 32     2nd, 1st and 3rd couples turn with both hands to places.

Repeat from new positions.

Music: "Miss Dow's Fancy” by John Reid ( arranged by Nan Main)

Devised by Alan Macpherson (amdmac [at] blueyonder.co.uk).
"Miss Dow was a very influential figure in promoting and developing SCD in the Dundee area and some have described her as the "Miss Milligan" of the East. Alistair Macfadyen was of the opinion that Miss Dow deserved more recognition from the Society than was accorded to her, and Alistair suggested that a dance in her honour would be a fitting tribute and that I should write such a dance for publication by the Society. The strathspey, "Miss Dow's Strathspey", was devised by me and submitted to the Society in the mid 90s, but unfortunately it was rejected."

"The composer of the tune 'Miss Dow's Fancy' was John Reid (1869-1942), a famous Angus "Dancie" from Newtyle. He taught step dancing at the early Summer Schools and his Newtyle Orchestra provided the music for the Younger Hall dances. 'Miss Dow's Fancy' was first played by John Reid's orchestra at a Dundee Branch dance in the Training College Hall on the 14th December, 1934"

Molly MacLay of Kilfinnan 3x32 S

MOLLY MacLAY OF KILFINNAN

32-bar strathspey for three couples in a three-couple longways set

1 - 8     1st and 2nd couples Set and Link; 1st and 3rd couples Set and Link (finishing in order 2, 3, 1).

9 - 16    All set. In four bars, 1st couple cast to 1st place while 2nd couple dance down the middle and cast into 3rd place. All set again (finishing in order 1, 3, 2).

17-24    1st, 3rd and 2nd couples turn once round with right hands in four bars, finishing the turn facing up in Allemande hold. 1st, 3rd and 2nd couples set with Highland Schottische setting step (women are slightly in front of their partners; men’s working feet are behind their partners’).

25-32    1st, 3rd and 2nd couples Allemande.

Music: Strathspeys suitable for Highland Schottische.
Recommended recorded music: “The Highland Minstrel Boy,�? track 13 from “For Old Tymes Sake�? by Bobby Brown and the Scottish Accent.

Devised by Donald L. Fuell, Jr. (fuell [at] mindspring.com), 2008. May be reproduced for dance instruction and use.

Molly MacLay of Kilfinnan is the full name of the devisor’s black Labrador retriever, who while in her sixties in human years personifies Miss Milligan’s philosophy of controlled abandon – well, almost controlled…You can see pictures of Molly and her adopted pack mate Jasmine at http://picasaweb.google.com/Lee.Fuell/Dogs.

Blethering Ghillie 8x32 S

THE BLETHERING GHILLIE

32-bar strathspey for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

1-8     1st and 2nd couples set, turn partners with both hands, and circle four hands round to the left.

9-16     1st and 2nd couples dance the knot; 1st couple finish facing first corners.

17-24     1st couple dance corners pass and turn with first corners, pass right shoulders in the center of the set, dance corners pass and turn with second corners, and pass right shoulders across the set to finish in second place on own sides, facing out. (Corners turn with both hands.)

25-32     1st couple dance figures of eight on their own sides in six bars, beginning by giving right shoulder to the person on their right, finishing with 1st woman between 2nd couple facing down and 1st man between 3rd couple facing up. On bars 31 and 32, 1st couple turn with left hands ¾ to finish in 2nd place on own sides, ready to begin again.

The Blethering Ghillie is the deviser’s pub, located in the basement of his home in Beavercreek, Ohio, USA. Much blethering has transpired there over the years, especially at afters parties following dance events.

Devised by Donald L. Fuell, Jr. (fuell [at] mindspring.com), 2008. May be reproduced for dance instruction and use.

UPDATE 9 June 2008: Corrected the last sentence of the instruction for bars 25-32.

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).

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.)

Timbit for Janis 4x32 S

A TIMBIT FOR JANIS

32-bar Strathspey for 4 couples, in a longwise set;

1-8     1s 2s and 3s dance mirror reels of three on the sides, 1s dancing
in and down and 2s dancing out and up to start; at the end, 2s stay facing out

9-16     2s, 3s and 4s dance mirror reels of three on the sides, 4s
dancing out and up, and 3s dancing in and down to start; at the end, 2s and 4s stay facing out

17-24     "covalent" mirror reels of four on the sides: begin mirror reels of four on the sides, a right shoulder reel on the men's side and a left shoulder reel on the women's side; on the second step, 4s cross up to second place on the opposite side as all others take the second step of the reel; continue in this way, on the fourth step 3s cross up, on the sixth step, 1s cross up, and on the last step, 2s cross up; once having crossed, dancers complete the reel on the opposite side; at the end, dancers are in the original order, all on opposite sides; 4s stay facing out

25-28     1s dance down the centre below 3s, divide and cast up to third place, while 4s dance up behind the lines to above 2s, then meet and dance down to second place, where they face out; on bars 27-28, 2s step up, while 3s step down and face out

29-32     2s with 4s, also 1s with 3s, dance half a double figure of eight (2s and 1s cross down to start).

The final order is 2-4-1-3; repeat from new places.

Notes: 1. In case any non-Canadian ever reads this, "timbit" is the name given to doughnut centres at Canada's best known coffee and doughnut chain, Tim Horton's. The reels in bars 17-24 are the "covalent" mirror reels of four in Tim Conrow's dance Covalence; this is the timbit.

2. At the time of writing, Janis Platts, one of our most faithful and enthusiastic dancers, is battling a severe illness In the midst of it all, she is still keen on coffee and a doughnut from Tim's.

3. All need impeccable phrasing in the reels of four.

4. 1s and 4s anticipate, and use long steps during bars 25-26, so that 1s are below 3s and dancing out, while 4s are above 2s and dancing in, by the end of bar 26

5. Except for the last repetition of the dance, 4s should stay facing out in second place at the end, ready for the new repetition.

Tune: Strathaven Way, by A. M. Laird
Suitable recording: George Washington Bridge set on Bobby Brown's Celtic Fire discs

Devised by Peter McClure (joptmc [at] cc.umanitoba.ca), Winnipeg, MB, March 2007, for Janis Platts of Winnipeg.

Timbit for George OR After a Hangover 4x32 S

A TIMBIT FOR GEORGE or AFTER A HANGOVER

32-bar Strathspey for 4 couples in a longwise set

1-8     1s 2s and 3s dance parallel reels of three on the sides, 1st and 2nd women, also 1st and 2nd men passing right shoulders to start; at the end, 2nd man and 3rd woman stay facing out

9-16     2s, 3s and 4s dance parallel reels of three on the sides, 3rd and 4th women, also 3rd and 4th men passing right shoulders to start; at the end, 2nd and 4th men, and 3rd woman stay facing out

17-24     connected reels of four on the sides: all begin a reel of four on the sides; on the second step, as all others continue the reel, 1st woman and 4th man change sides, passing left shoulders, 1st woman going into second place on the men's side, ready to dance up, while 4th man goes to third place on the women's side, ready to dance down; continue in this way, on each even numbered step, a pair of
dancers "connect" the reels by changing sides; 2nd woman and 3rd man cross on the fourth step, 4th woman and 1st man on the sixth step, and 3rd woman and 2nd man on the eighth step; once having crossed, dancers complete the reel on the opposite side; at the end, all are on opposite sides, in order 4-3-2-1; 4th man (at top) and 1st woman stay facing out

25-28     4s and 1s dance clockwise halfway round, while 3s and 2s set and cross to own sides, giving right hands in passing

29-32     middles facing ends on each side (i.e., 1st man with 3rd woman, etc), set and change places giving right hands in passing.

The final order is 3-1-4-2; repeat from new places.

Notes: 1. The first half of this dance is the same as that of George Ogilvie's dance Hangover, which I've admired ever since I found it. George's dance is a reel, and this one could be danced in quick time (I think I would prefer jig) or as a medley (e.g., 2x32S + 2x32J - the Dewar set for Johnnie Walker would do), once the pattern
is well known.

2. In case any non-Canadian ever reads this, "timbit" is the name given to doughnut centres at Canada's best known coffee and doughnut chain, Tim Horton's. Bars 17-24 are a slight variation of one of the "covalent" reels of four in Tim Conrow's dance Covalence; this is the timbit.

3. All need impeccable phrasing in the reels of four; third woman and second man will need a long step at the end, to finish facing partners.

Tune: Strathaven Way, by A. M. Laird
Suitable recording: George Washington Bridge set on Bobby Brown's Celtic Fire discs

Devised by Peter McClure (joptmc [at] cc.umanitoba.ca), Winnipeg, MB, March 2007, for George Ogilvie of
Regina.

Miss Anne Aldred's Strathspey 3x32 S

MISS ANNE ALDRED'S STRATHSPEY

A 3x 32 bar dance for three couples in a triangular set

Note: The working ‘couple’ are the man in 2nd posn and the lady in 3rd posn.
It is important that the reels are danced along the lines of the triangle and don’t degenerate into reels of three in a longwise set.

1 – 4     Second man and third lady set advancing and half turn with right hand, retain hands and then:

5 – 8     Second man and third lady dance up between first couple cross and cast ready to enter reels of three, second man with second lady and first man, third lady with third man and first lady.

9 – 14     All dance six bar reels of three (second man start by giving left shoulder to second lady; third lady giving right shoulder to third man. (Third lady/second man end between supporters facing partner).

15-16     First couple, having completed the six bar reel, stand for two bars while 2s/3s half turn ptnr (2s left hand and 3s right hand).

17 – 20     First and second couples set to each other dance half right hands across to end with first couple (in second place) facing threes.

21 - 24     First and third couples set to each other and dance half right hands across (to end with 1s in 3rd place and 3s in 2nd place).

25 – 32     All dance six hands round and back.

Repeat from new places.

Music: McMarley’s Cross

Devised by Andy Stone, July 2006 (petros103 [at] tesco.net)

This dance was devised by Andy Stone of Glen Mor Scottish Country Dance Group of Worthing, West Sussex (with advice from the Group’s teacher – Mrs Natalie Coviello) in memory of his late wife Anne Patou Stone (nee Aldred). Anne’s middle name – Patou – was given her in the Scottish tradition, being her mother’s maiden name. Her maternal grandfather (Frederick Patou) served with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. As a young woman both before and during her marriage, Anne loved dancing and was both a proficient ballroom and Scottish Country dancer.

Barbara's Strathspey 8x32 S

BARBARA'S STRATHSPEY

8x32 strathspey for 3 couples

1-8     1C set, cast one place as 2C step up, and dance a half figure of eight, 1W down between 3C and 1M up between 2C, to end in 2nd place on opposite sides.

9-16     2C, 1C, and 3C take hands on the sides and set, then 1C cross to own sides passing RS. 1W and 3W, 1M and 2M, turn RH 1 1/2 times to change places. Ending order is 1, 2, 3 on the men's side and 2, 3, 1 on the women's side.

17-24     1C, 2C, and 3C dance a three-couple bourrel:
   1M and 3W, similarly 2M and 1W, set advancing to each other and turn BH halfway then away from each other to end back to back in the center of the set, woman facing up and man facing down.
   Meanwhile, 2W and 3M chase a little more than halfway CCW around the set to end facing their partners.
   All set to partners and turn them BH to their own sides, W facing down and M facing up. The ending order is 3, 1, 2.

25-32     3C, 1C, and 2C chase CW halfway around the set. All turn partners RH to face in the center, then turn away from partners over their right shoulders and dance out to own sides. Order is now 2, 1, 3.

Repeat.

Suggested music: "Lady Lucy Ramsay" from Gang on the Same Gate by Green Ginger.

Devised by Susan McKinnell (luvscd [at] suedan.com; http://suedan.com )
This dance was written for Barbara Cool, the leader of our Branch demo team.

Saunter in Savoy 3x32 S

SAUNTER IN SAVOY

3x32 strathspey 3-couple set

1-4:     1st & 2nd cps dance half R&Ls.

5-8:     1st cp dance half diag R&Ls with 2nd & 3rd ladies.

9-12:      All set. 1st cp cross RH, while crns turn person opposite 2H.

13-16:     6 hands round to left 2 steps. 1st cp drop left hands, to form 2
small circles for 3 hands round halfway (1st lady with 2nd lady & 3rd man).
1st lady face down at top, 1st man face up at bottom, while the other cps
are back to back in the centre.

17-20:      All set, then set advancing up/down, passing Lsh to progress, 1st
cp to meet in centre, the others dancing towards top/bottom.

21-24:     All turn LH, 2 steps, 1st cp with pt, 2nd lady with 3rd man, 3rd lady with 2nd man, and then set in side lines.

25-28:      1st cp dance half diagonal R&Ls with 2nd & 3rd men.

29-32:      1st cp dance half diagonal R&Ls with 2nd & 3rd men.

Devised by Martin Sheffield, 2006 (mj.sheffield [at] wanadoo.fr)

UPDATE: A few clarifications added on 30 November 2006

Dance for Marjorie 8x32 S

A DANCE FOR MARJORIE

32 bar strathspey for three couples in a three couple set.

Bars
1 - 4     1st and 2nd couples set and link;

5 - 8    2nd and 1st couples circle four hands once round to the left.

9 -12    2nd, 1st and 3rd couples, joining hands on the sides, set, and,
giving right hands to partners, cross over to the opposite side and flow into:-

13-14     2nd, 1st and 3rd couples circle six hands round to the left half
way (two steps only) - finish on the side lines in the order 3, 1, 2 - all proper.

15-16     3rd and 2nd couples, giving right hand to partners, cross over
to the opposite side, while 1st couple turn with right hands once round to face their first corner dancers.
(1st man is facing 3rd woman who is in top place on the men's side and 1st woman is facing 2nd man who is in third place on the ladies' side).

17-20    1st couple and first corners dance half a diagonal right shoulder reel of four, at the end 1st couple meet one another in the middle of the dance, right shoulder to right shoulder, and face their 2nd corner dancers.

21-24     1st couple and second corners dance half a diagonal right shoulder reel of four. 1st couple finish in second place, proper.

25-32    1st and 3rd couples circle four hands once round to the left and finish in a diagonal line; 1st and 3rd couples dance half diamond poussette to change places.

Finish in the order 2, 3, 1.
Repeat from new positions.

For Marj Potter

Dance devised by Peter M. Price, 13 January 2006 (peter.price1672 [at] gmail.com)

Tune: S'ann an Ile
Music: Set of Strathspeys, track #9, on First Stop by
Waverley Station

Copyright (c) 2006, 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.

The Founder 8x32 S

THE FOUNDER

32 bar strathspey for 3 couples

1-8    1st couple dance a full figure of eight down through and around 2nd couple.

9-16   1st and 2nd couples dance the targe progression:
9-10: partners turn 3/4 to form a momentary line up and down the center of
the dance.
11-12: 1M2W turn 3/4 in the center while 1W & 2M dance clockwise around them
to form a momentary line of four across the dance.
13-14: partners turn 3/4 to finish on the sides of the dance, 1C on the
women's side facing down, 2C on the men's side facing up.
15-16: all four chase one place clockwise to progressed places.

17-24   The corners face in on the diagonal and set for eight bars, except when being turned by 1C. (1cor will set, turn, and set twice while 2cor will set for six bars before they turn.)
Meanwhile:
1C set, advancing toward 1st corners.
1C turn 1cor with both hands, 1W finishing between 2C, 1M finishing between
3C, 1cor return to facing diagonally.
1C, facing each other up and down, set, advancing toward 2nd corners.
1C turn 2cor with both hands, finishing on the sides facing toward 1cor.

25-32   All dance reels of three on the sides of the dance, 1C giving LS to 1cor to begin the reel. 1C cross to own sides on 31-32.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

This dance is for Gini Grover of Binghamton, NY.

Music: any good strathspey. I like to use the version of The Royal Wedding
by George Meikle, on Highlander Socttish Dances Vol 10. In addition to being
another Royal Wedding reference, it has a different feel than other versions
of this dance.

Devised by Terry Glasspool (tglasspool [at] stny.rr.com)

Two's Company -- Three's A Crowd 3x32 S

TWO�S COMPANY -THREE�S A CROWD

3x32 Strathspey

Bars 1-8    1C, 2C, 3C Set and dance La Barratte* (End on opposite sides)

Bars 9-16    1C, 2C, 3C Set and Link for 3 couples twice. End on proper sides in the order 3C 2C 1C

Bars 17-20    3C and 2C Set and Link for 2 couples.
End progressed (2C, 3C, 1C).

Bars 21-32    Rights and Lefts for 3 couples, ending ready for 2C to start a new round.

*Directions for LaBarratte:
La Barratte takes only 6 Bars so it usually starts with set.

Bars 1-2    Set
Bars 3-4    Cross RH until arms are almost fully extended
Bar 5    Dance back the path you just traveled.
But woman pull back RS slightly & raise R arm so you can dance
under own R arm - Both couples are now facing down the dance.
Woman has back to partner.
Bar 6    Man hold out LH � palm UP.
Woman bring LH up UNDER man�s LH & wrap fingers over top of his palm. Let go RHs.
As man raises L arm slightly � Woman dances UNDER his L arm.
LHs are now in proper SD grip.
Bars 7-8    Dance out to opposite sides.

Note: Bars 5-6 are crucial bars with a lot to do quickly. I would suggest practicing them until you can dance quickly, smoothly and automatically.

Devised by Holly V. Sherman (hollyvalentine530 [at] yahoo.com)