December

Tuesday, December 16, 2025, we had our last session of 2025. We danced holiday-themed dances to holiday-themed music (mostly) and celebrated together with dancing and snacks. We will return January 6th to prepare for the Midwinter Ball (both regular and new dancers).

Dances done:

1. The Fruitcake 32J3

2. Festival of Lights 32R3

3. Gifts 32S3 (Set)

4. Happy Christmas 32J3

5. The Candy Cane Reel 32R3

6. Victoria Plums 32S4 (Set)

7. First Harvest 32J3

8. Here Comes Santa Claus 32R3

Tuesday, December 9, 2025, we danced dances from both the Midwinter Ball and Madison Winter dance programs. We also danced a combined dance with the new dancer group and we got to dance Lara’s The Gales of November to music from our own fiddlers (Paula and Aileen). We got to try set and rotate for both 3 and 2 couples, a bourrel for 3 couples, and the JB Milne figure.

Dances done:

1. The 27th of November 32J3

2. Drifters 32S3 (Set)

3. The Westminster Reel 32R2

4. Dance Thirty 32S3

5. The Gales of November 32R3

6. Ian Powrie’s Farewell to Auchterarder 128J4 (Square)

7. J. B. Milne 32R3

Tuesday, December 9, 2025, in the beginner class Noel Chávez needed to tweak dances for a limited number of dancers. She introduced the quicktime poussette geography but didn’t have time to do a dance with it. After the class the new dancers received ribbons for completing the class and joined the regular class for a shared dance. They were also invited to join a 4-week class to work on dances from the Midwinter Ball program.

Dances done:

1. The Provost Wynd 32R3

2. The Brownie of Blednoch 32R3

3. The March Hare 32R3

Dances done:

Tuesday, December 2, 2025, we started working on dances from the Chicago Midwinter Ball, the Madison Winter dance, and the Milwaukee December dance (several overlap), plus a dance for St Andrew’s Day that we danced with the new dancer class. We worked a little on the strathspey poussette and introduced the chain progression.

Dances done:

1. A Wee Touch O’ Class 32J3

2. The Craven Strathspey 32S3

3. Rebecca’s Chain 32R3 (new Sue dance)

4. Saint Andrew’s Fair 32J3

5. Drifters 32S3 (Set)

6. Ian Powrie’s Farewell to Auchterarder 128J4 (Square)

7. The Wind that Shakes the Barley 32R3

Tuesday, December 2, 2025, in the beginner class Noel Chávez introduced reels of 3 on the sides, strathspey setting, and the allemande. The class also reviewed strathspey traveling and practiced both strathspey steps. The new dancers are progressing well and joined the regular class for a shared dance at the end of their class.

Dances done:

1. Mulligan Stew 32R3

2. Three on the Side 32R3

3. Sandy O’er the Lea 32S2

4. The Provost Wynd 32R3