March

Tuesday, March 25, 2025, we returned to having a single half-hour prior to the regular class. Mady Newfield worked on strathspey traveling and setting steps. Sue McKinnell introduced reels of 4, both up and down the set, and diagonally. In the regular class we danced one dance with reels of 4 up and down the set, one with balance-in-line up and down the set, and one with diagonal reels of 4 with both sets of corners. After the break, we reviewed 4 of the more challenging dances from the Madison Ball per request.

Dances done:

1. Groundhog Day 32S2

2. The Wild Geese 32J3

3. Fair Donald 32S3

4. Black Mountain Reel 32R5 (Set)

5. Change Your Shoes Faster 32J3

6. Rest and Be Thankful 32R3

7. The Montgomeries’ Rant 32R3

Tuesday, March 18, 2025, 2 of the newest dancers attended the early half hour along with several of the new dancers. Carrie Dean did an exercise in skip-change then taught the allemande. For the second half hour she taught pas-de-basque in place and transitioning to skip-change. Sue McKinnell taught the balance-in-line figure and reviewed reels of 3. In the regular class we danced 3 dances covering the figures reviewed in the first hour and 2 dances from each of the Twin Cities and Iowa Ball programs plus a new Sue dance. We walked through the snake pass figure and found a new, fun reel ending with a circle.

Dances done:

1. Springtime 32J2

2. Well-Balanced 32J3 (new Sue dance)

3. The Reel of the 51st Division 32R3

4. Seann Truibhas Willichan 32S2

5. Kilt Swing 32R3

6. Unsquare Dance 32M4 (Square) (new Sue dance)

7. Mrs Stewart’s Jig 32J3

8. The Lords of the Wind 32R3

Tuesday, March 11, 2025, we started a half hour earlier to accommodate 3 new dancers who wanted to learn SCD. Noel Chávez taught both early sections and our new dancers from the Fall came early to assist. The first half hour covered SCD basics: set structure, bow & curtsy, foot positions, skip-change, stepping up and down, casting off, lead down and up, RH and LH turns 2- and 4-bar, RH and LH across, slip step, and circles. The second half hour introduced half hands across – in particular, set, half RH across, set, half LH across. In the regular class we danced a dance with basic figures for the newest dancers who stayed and danced a couple of dances with set, half hands across. Then we worked on the allemande and did two dances from the Iowa Ball and one from the Twin Cities Ball. We were very happy to have John, a dancer from Virginia, join us for a second week. We have one more session of an extra half hour next week and are very pleased with our new dancers as they join the regular class each week.

Dances done:

1. The Buckie Jig 32J2

2. The Deil Amang the Tailors 32R3

3. The Duke of Atholl’s Reel 32J2

4. Adieu Mon Ami 32S3

5. Baby C-McD 32R2

6. Asilomar Romantic 32S3

7. The Machine Without Horses 32J3

8. Da Rain Dancin’ 32R3

Tuesday, March 4, 2025, Noel Chávez taught the new dancer section. They covered the promenade, both 2-couple and 3-couple. The combined class did dances with the promenade, QT poussette, and double triangles. The regular class did one dance from the Madison Ball, three from the proposed MSW dance programs, and one other dance. They covered the strathspey poussette and the tourbillon.

Dances done:

1. The Dardagny Reel 32R2

2. Leith Country Dance 32J2

3. Auchindrain 32R3

4. One Set short of a Hundred 32S3 (Set)

5. Airyhall Delight 32J3

6. Unsquare Dance 32SR4 (Square) (new Sue dance – still being vetted)

7. Midsummer Moon 32S2

8. A-Ward Winning Reel 32R3