On 3/18/2014 12:53 PM, rich sbardella wrote:
Can someone explain the dance below? Also, is this dance 128 steps and 64 bars?
Here are my notes on the dance. The phrases have 4 bars and so the
dance is 32 bars, even though the music is played AABBAABB. When doing
dances from the 1700's I tend to use 4 changes of rights and lefts
rather than right and left through with a courtesy turn. The result is
the same, but I think it gives the dance a more old-timey flavor. Also
with a proper dance you don't have the issue of who backs up for the
turn in the same-gender couples.
Jonathan
Barrel of Sugar
Clement Week’s commonplace book, ca. 1783
triple proper longways
AA 1’s hey on opposite sides, crossing back to own side and
casting into 2nd place
BB 1st and 2nd couples 4 changes of rights and lefts
AA 1st couple set to contrary corners
BB 1st couple lead out at the sides
Notes
Hey on opposite sides: 1’s cross over and do a mirror hey. Passing
between the 2nd and 3rd person on the opposite side to start. At the
end of the hey the 1’s are heading into the set and can pass their
partners to cross and cast down into 2nd place.
Set to contrary corners: 1’s in 2nd place set forward to 1st contrary
corners on the right diagonal (4 beats) and fall back to place (4
beats). Repeat to 2nd contrary corner on left diagonal. Inactive
dancers should join in setting when active dancers set towards them.
Lead out at the sides: 1’s in 2nd place take inside hands and dance out
between the 2nd and 3rd women, separate, dance around them, meet again
in the center, take hands and dance out between the 2nd and 3rd men,
separate, dance around them and return to place. Inactive dancers move
to allow the 1st couple to pass through and around them.
