October

Tuesday, October 29, 2024, we danced some Halloween/Fall-themed dances and repeated an interesting dance brought to us by Mats. We also danced a dance with the basics class after their class ended.

Dances done:

1. The Hobgoblin 32J2 (from the Ann Arbor program)

2. Squirrel in a Pumpkin 32S3

3. Driving to Milwaukee 32R/J3

4. Widdershins 32J3

5. Slytherin House 32S3

6. Copenhagen’s Delight 32R3

7. The Witch’s Stone 32J3

8. Ferla Mor 32R3

Tuesday, October 29, 2024, Mady Newfield and Mats Melin taught the basics class. They introduced pas-de-basque and practiced it in a circle, reviewed slip-step and skip change, reviewed rights and lefts, reviewed figures of 8, and introduced reels of 3.

Dances done:

1. The Fairy Ring 32J/R Circle

2. The Dashing White Sergeant 32R Circle (3 facing 3)

3. Driving to Milwaukee 32R/J3 (written by Suzie, Mady, and Mats)

Tuesday, October 22, 2024, we did 5 dances from the Milwaukee Halloween Ball, 2 dances from the Fall Dance, and a fun starter dance. We reviewed the allemande for 3 couples, the quicktime poussette, corner set and chain, half turn and twirl (turn & spurn), and double triangles. We started the evening by dancing a dance with the Basics class, having them dance with experienced dancers as partners.

Dances done:

1. Pluto’s Head 32R2

2. Katie’s Dance 32R3

3. Thornhill Strathspey 32S3 (Set)

4. The Ravelston Rant 32R2

5. Trip to Tarble 32J3

6. Yamashita Park 32S3

7. Frog in the Middle 32J3

8. Seann Truibhas Willichan 32S2

9. Deil Amang the Tailors 32R3

Tuesday, October 22, 2024, Noel Chávez taught the basics class and reviewed what had already been covered in the first 2 classes, added in figures of 8 and cross and cast off. They practiced shortening quicktime traveling steps in advance and retire and back to back.

Dances done:

1. Fish and Chips 32J4 (Set)

2. Katie’s Dance 32R3 (done with parallel figures of 8 and repeated to help retain the figures)

Tuesday, October 15, 2024, we did a couple of dances from the Milwaukee Ball program, did a dance from the Fall dance program as a demo for the Basics class, worked extensively on an ‘interesting’ dance, and danced a couple more fun dances. We worked on timing in Shiftin’ Bobbins, and reviewed the knot and the chained progression for 3 couples.

Dances done:

1. 1st February 32J2

2. Shiftin’ Bobbins 32R3

3. Double Knot 32S3 (new Sue dance)

4. Napier’s Index 40J3

5. Copenhagens’ Delight 32R3

6. The Countess of Dunmore’s Reel 32R3

Tuesday, October 15, 2024, Noel Chávez taught the basics class and reviewed basic geography with an emphasis on progression, foot positions, skip change and slip step, hands round, RH/LH turns, RH/LH across, casting off, and leading down/up.

Dances done:

1. Ceilidh Madness 32R4 (Set)

2. January Welcome 32J2

3. Hands Across the Sea 32R3

4. Busy Ann 32J2

Tuesday, October 8, 2024, we danced 2 dances from the Fall Dance, 3 dances from the Milwaukee Ball program, and 1 dance from the Ann Arbor dance program, plus a couple of other fun dances. We covered corner-partner, double figures of 8, the strathspey poussette, and the tourbillon.

Dances done:

1. As the Worm Turns 32J3

2. Toast to the Mousies 32R3

3. The Dillsburg Jig 32J3

4. Tom McLeod’s Strathspey 32S3

5. Sunshine and Sweetie’s Jig 32J3

6. Pilgrim, Chapter 33 32S3 (new Sue dance)

7. The Maids of Currie 32R3

8. One Set Short of a Hundred 32S3 (Set)

Tuesday, October 8, 2024, Noel Chávez taught the basics class and covered basic geography, foot positions, skip change and slip step, hands round, RH/LH turns, RH/LH across, casting off, and leading down/up.

Dances done:

1. Loch Ness Monster 32R C

2. Ceilidh Madness 32R4 (Set)

3. January Welcome 32J2

Tuesday, October 1, 2024, we worked on proposed Fall Dance dances, started working on Milwaukee Halloween Ball dances, and danced a few other fun/classic dances. We reviewed double triangles, the quicktime poussette, the bourrel, hello-goodbye setting, corners pass and turn, and 6- vs 8-bar reels.

Dances done:

1. Ann Arbor 32J3

2. M(medley)S(strathspey)R(reel) 16S16R3 (new Sue dance)

3. Pint O’ Ale Is Fain 32J3

4. Kilt Swing 32R3

5. Delvine Side 32S3

6. The Galloping Carousel 32J4 (Set)

7. Triple Happiness 32S3 (Set)

8. The Highland Rambler 40R3

9. The Montgomeries’ Rant 32R3