September

Tuesday, September 24, 2024, we danced a few potential Fall Dance dances and a mixture of easier and more complex dances. We walked ladies’ chain, double triangles, the 3-couple bourrel, grand chain, corner-partner, and variations of figures of 8.

Dances done:

1. Gloria’s Wee Jig 32J2

2. Lady Dumfries 32R3

3. It Came with a Pool 32S3 (Set) (new Sue dance)

4. Mrs Stewart’s Jig 32J3

5. Torf’s Watching! 32S3

6. Shiftin’ Bobbins 32R3

7. Jubilee Jig 32J3

8. The Selkirk Settlers 40R3 (Set)

Tuesday, September 17, 2024, Noel Chávez taught the class. We worked on 2-bar turns by the right and left and transitioning from quicktime setting to quicktime traveling and vice-versa. Ken Chau brought and taught a dance in honor/memory of Frances Gillan and Sue McKinnell taught a dance in honor of Paula taking first place with her competition piece.

Dances done:

1. Paisley Mondays 32R3

2. Sugar Candie 32S3

3. Berwick Johnnie 32J3

4. Tribute to Ms Frances Gillan 32R4 (Set)

5. The Swan and the Tay 32S3 (Set)

6. Argyll’s Farewell to Stirling 40R4 (Set)

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

8. Maxwell’s Rant 32R3

Saturday, September 14, 2024, we had our Introduction to Scottish Country Dancing Workshop. It was great fun and we had a good number of people: new dancers, dancers who’d danced with us before and wanted to try it again, and regulars who came out to help partner new dancers. We did a selection of fun/easy jigs and reels (both circle dances and longwise dances) and did a couple of ‘demo’ dances to show some of what else is available.

Dances done:

1. The Cumberland Jig 32J4 (Set) 8X

2. Circassian (Big) Circle 32R Circle

3. Charlestown Chaser 32J4 (Set)

4. Arbroath 700 32R4 (Set) 8X

5. Burns Night 32J2 (demo dance done 3X)

6. The Fairy Ring 32J Circle

7. Virginia Reel 40R4 (Set)

8. Triple Happiness 32S3 (Set) (demo dance)

9. Circle of Cheer 32R Circle

10. The Deil Amang the Tailors 32R3 (variant in the first 8 bars)

Tuesday, September 10, 2024, we tried some potential demo dances for the Introductory Dance event this coming Saturday, a possible dance for the Fall Dance, and a few other fun dances. We worked on the figure known as the ‘Best Set in the Hall’ figure.

Dances done:

1. The Young Lady of Threadneedle Street 32J3

2. A Box of Chocolates 32R3 (Set)

3. Seann Truibhas Willichan 32S2

4. The Wild Geese 32J3

5. Toast to the Mousies 32R3

6. A Study in Blue 40S3 (new Sue dance)

7. Catch the Wind 32R3

Tuesday, September 3, 2024, we welcomed Carrie back for the night, danced some interesting dances, and were treated to Paula playing her competition fiddle piece. A fun night. We also worked on strathspey traveling and setting and set to and turn corners in strathspey time.

Dances done:

1. Up the Pond 32J3

2. Hearth and Harp 32S3

3. City of Stirling Reel 32R3

4. Pelorus Jack 32J3

5. The Walled Garden 32S2

6. The Hills of Tennessee 32J4 (Set) (new Sue dance) – done first in strathspey time, then in jig time

7. Mairi’s Wedding 40R3