Dancers' Dance Instructions - National Folk Festival 2010

Monday, 5 April 2010
Time: to be confirmed (probably not as published!)
Venue: Oasis Dance Marquee

See also the Dancers' Dance information page which explains the principles we'e used to put the program together. These pages will be updated as dances are added to the program. Please keep coming back to get updates and instructions for the dances as they become available.

A history of changes to this page is included at the foot of the page.

Program of dances:

The dances aren't in any particular order. I've grouped them by genre, but would expect to mix them up on the program. This gives between 14 and 18 dances/figures. The concept of no walk-thoughs may change as we had asked for 2 hours for the Dancers' Dance amd an hour for a Dancers' Dance Refresher Workshop, but appear to have been allocated 2.5 hours in one block. I'll consult the band and work out how they would most like to schedule their time...

You may have heard that the Coorong is no longer going to be used as a dance venue (floor too dangerous) and will not be replaced. So now there are two venues for dances and workshops, and one for display purposes <http://www.folkfestival.asn.au/program/2010-dance-information/>.

1. Jacaranda Dance (Couples, Mixer, Australian)
2. Varsovienne - 2 Part (Couples, French)
3. Little Man in a Fix (Couples - Sicilian, Danish)
4. Merry Widow Waltz (Couples, Australian?) - depending on time availability
5. Antrim Square Set (Square, Irish)
        Fig. 1 Reels 144 bars (including 8 bar introduction)
        Fig. 2 Jigs 136 bars ( " )
        Fig. 2 Slides 152 bars ( " ) - depending on time availability
6. Clutha (Square Set, Scottish Country)
7. The Robertson Rant (Square Set, Scottish Country)
8. Reel of the 51st Division (Longways, Scottish Country) - depending on time availability
9. Love 'em & Leave 'em (Square, Australian) 4x64
10. Colonials Quadrille (Quadrille, Australian): 4x48
11. Queen of Sheba (Longways, English)
12. Hole in the Wall (Longways [Duple Proper], English C17)
13. Heswall & West Kirby Jubilee (Double Sicilian, English) 4x32
14. Alternating Corners (Longways Contra, American)
15. Connoisseurs' Contra (Longways Contra [Duple Proper], American)
16. The Squeaking Wheel (Longways Contra [Duple improper], American) - depending on time availability...

Dance Instructions

ALTERNATING CORNERS
Longways set: Duple improper / Jim Kitch / Each alternate time through 1s are active, followed by the 2s...
4b	All:	Circle Left
4b	Neighbours:	Swing - Finish facing in
4b	Long lines:	Forward & back
4b	1s:	Half figure of 8 above
8b	1s:	Contra corners - RH to Partner / LH to 1st Corner / RH to Partner / LH to 2nd Corner
8b	1s:	Balance & swing - Finish facing down
32b	Repeat	2nd time through ... after Long Lines: Forward & Back
4b	2s:	Half figure of 8 below
8b	2s:	Contra corners - RH to Partner / LH to 1st Corner / RH to Partner / LH to 2nd Corner
8b	2s:	Balance & swing - Finish facing up
Called on the final day of the 2009 National Folk Festival Dancers' Dance by George Marshall. This dance works beautifully as a 3-couple dance - try it sometime!

ANTRIM SQUARE SET

This dance was written in 2003 by Des Jackson who dances with the Sydney Irish Ceili Dancers in Australia. Des was born in County Antrim and decided to create a dance to celebrate the place of his birth.

Square Set of four couples, Gents on the left of their partners. Top Couples either have their backs to the band or face the band. The other Couples are Side Couples. The Reel Figure uses smooth Clare Reel stepping. The Jig figure uses the "up" jig step, and the Slide figure a flattish slide (or polka) step.

FIGURE 1: REELS (144 BARS)

All Couples	Upper promenade hold – Lead around anti-clockwise + Pivot turn to face clockwise with Gents remaining in the centre [8 bars] + Lead back to place [8 bars] + Swing (waltz hold)	24 bars
Ladies	Star of Ulster: Right hand star with upper arms raised and palms touching + Left hand star back to place	8 bars
Gents	Star of Ulster: Right hand star with upper arms raised and palms touching + Left hand star back to place	8 bars
Top Couples	House around inside [8 bars] + Open Waltz hold - Square (dance to face Side Couple on the right + Back away into Opposite position facing Home + House halfway to home) [8 bars]	16 bars
All Couples	Big Square: Tops join nearer hand with Partner while Sides face Partner - Each dancer dances a small square bounded by their home position, the centre of the set, the nearer Corner position (Top of Side position) and the outside corner of the set... Tops advance and turn while Side back away and turn (Push-2-3, push-2-3, turning 90 degrees on 2-3) [2 bars] Tops (in the middle with backs to nearer Sides position) back away and turn while Sides (at edge of the set facing Tops normal position) advance [2 bars] Tops (facing Opposite in Sides position) back away and turn while Sides (with Opposite in Tops position) take nearer hand - Advance and turn [2 bars] Tops (at edge of the set facing home position) advance and dance in place while Sides (in the middle with backs to home position) back away and dance in place [2 bars] Reverse direction so Sides Advance to the centre while Tops back away to their corner, etc. finishing with Side advancing to place from the corner of the set and Tops backing away out of the centre to Home position	16 bars
All Couples	Swing (waltz hold) + House the set	16 bars
Side Couples	House around inside + Square	16 bars
All Couples	Big Square with Side Couples leading (Sides in while Tops face Partner and back away) + Reverse (Tops in / Sides back away)	16 bars
All Couples	Swing	8 bars
All Couples	House the set	8 bars

FIGURE 2: JIGS (136 BARS)

All Couples	Lead around + Pivot turn + Lead back + Swing	24 bars
Top Couples	Crossovers: Top Ladies pass right shoulder to right followed by Gents passing left shoulders + Turn in towards Partner + Repeat back to place and finish in the centre for...	8 bars
Top Couples	Basket [8 bars] + Swing back to place [8 bars]	16 bars
All Couples	Big Square (Tops in / Sides face Partner and back away) + Reverse (Sides in / Tops back away) + Swing	24 bars
Side Couples	Crossovers + Basket + Swing to place	24 bars
All Couples	Big Square (Sides in / Tops face Partner and back away) + Reverse (Tops in / Sides back away) + Swing	24 bars
All Couples	House the set	8 bars

FIGURE 3: SLIDES (152 BARS)

All Couples	Lead around + Pivot turn + Lead back + Swing	24 bars
Top Couples	Slide and change: Waltz hold - Slide in and back + House halfway + Slide in and back + House to place	16 bars
Corners	Swing your Corner (waltz hold)	8 bars
All Couples	Dance to Partner + Swing	8 bars
All Couples	Big Square (Tops in / Sides back away) + Reverse + Swing	24 bars
Side Couples	Slide and change across and back to place	16 bars
Corners	Swing your Corner (waltz hold)	8 bars
All Couples	Dance to Partner + Swing	8 bars
All Couples	Big Square (Sides in / Tops back away) + Reverse + Swing	24 bars
All Couples	House the set	8 bars

CLUTHA
Square Set / 4x48-bar reels [Music: JM Hunter-The bow-legged Bosun / RSCDS Bk 31, 1983]
8b	1L+3G:	RH turn + Dance round Partner R.Sh + RH turn each other again (end in centre holding RH & Partner's LH)
4b	1s+3s:	Balance in line + 1L+3G: LH turn Partner into centre
4b	1s+3s:	Balance in line again + LH turn Partner to original positions
8b	1s+3s:	Rights & lefts
8b	1s+3s:	Ladies chain
4b	All:	RH turn Corner retaining hold & take Partner's LH to form a cut circle (Gents facing out) + Set
4b	All:	LH turn Partner (4 bars) - End with Couples facing anti-clockwise with lower promenade hold
8b	All:	Lead around anti-clockwise to original positions
3x48	Repeat:	With 2L+4G, 3L+1G, 4L+2G leading in turn
An Clutha (more often spelt An Cluadha) is the Gaelic name for The Clyde.

CONNOISSEUR'S CONTRA
Longways set: Duple Proper / Madeline Smith 1989
8b	1G+2L (1st Corners):	Do-si-do + Swing – Finish facing 2nd Gent
4b	1G+2L+2G:	Circle left once around +
	1st Corners:	Arch & 2nd Gent: Duck through to 1st Lady
4b	1L+2G (2nd Corners):	Swing (in 1st Lady's place) while…
	1st Cnrs:	California twirl changing places All: Finish facing in [diamond], with Gents on the side facing across the set & Ladies in the middle facing up (2L) & down (1L)
4b	All:	Balance the diamond + Petronella turn one place to the right
4b	All:	Balance + Petronella turn again
4b	All:	LH star (7/8) until Couples are progressed (1s below improper)
4b	1s:	Half figure of 8 up through 2s
32b	Repeat	...at caller's or musicians' pleasure
Written for Sidmouth 1989, when the dances labelled "Experienced Dancers Only" were renamed "Connoisseur's Dances" (the labels have since been abolished completely).

HOLE IN THE WALL
Longways set: Duple Proper / 32-bar triple time [Playford 9th Ed'n 1696]
8b	1s:	Honour + Cast down around 2s + Meet & lead up between 2s
8b	2s:	Honour + Cast up around 1s + Meet & lead down between 1s
4b	1G+2L:	Honour + Change places (right shoulders)
4b	1L+2G:	Honour + Change places (right shoulders)
4b	1s+2s:	Circle left 1/2 way + Honour
4b	1s / 2s:	1s Cast to 2nd place while 2s lead up
32b	Repeat:

JACARANDA DANCE
Circle of Couples, all facing centre. [Leith Charleston, Grafton, c.1946]
4b	All:	Join hands in a circle - Advance & retire (4 walking steps)
4b	All:	Circle left
4b	All:	Advance & retire
4b	All:	Circle right
2b	Partners:	Face Partner - Set once
2b	All:	Turn single (right shoulder back)
2b	Partners:	2-hand turn Partner once around
2b	All:	Pass Partner (right shoulder to right)
8b	Repeat:	Set + Turn Single + 2H turn + Pass new Partner & greet the next      Note: double progression!
32b	Repeat:	as required...
N.B. This dance has a double progression. Tune: Jacaranda Dance also composed by Mrs Charleston

LOVE 'EM AND LEAVE 'EM
This is a popular Australian Colonial dance. Composed by Noreen Grunseit in 1984, it was a Gold Medal winning dance in the Bush Music Club Dance Competition. Quadrille formation with Top Couples and Side Couples. Ladies progress from Gent to Gent across and around the set.
16b	Advance/retire + Dance around	All use lower promenade hold - Top Couples Advance and retire while Side Couples Dance around the outside in an anticlockwise direction to the other side [4 bars] + Sides Advance and retire while Tops dance around half way [4 bars] + Repeat
8b	Tops - Advance, Gallop & Polka with Opposite Lady	Top Couples holding nearer hands - Advance to the centre [2 bars] + Take ballroom hold with Opposite + Gallop out through the Side Couple (who part starting on bar 2) [2 bars] + Polka anticlockwise outside the set to the Gent's place [4 bars]
8b	Sides - Repeat	Sides repeat - Advance, Gallop out + Polka to Gent's place
8b	Tops - Circle & Swing Opposite	Top Couples holding nearer hands - Advance to the centre (4 steps) + Join hands and Circle left walking 6 steps + Swing Opposite (Gent + Lady on his left) using open 2-hand hold to Gent's place
8b	Sides - Repeat	Sides repeat - Advance (4 steps), Circle (6 steps) and Swing Opposite to Gent's place
8b	Half Ladies Chain	Top Ladies: Chain half way [4 bars] + Side Ladies: Chain half way
8b	Gents Cast + All Promenade	Gents Cast out (pulling left shoulder back) and progress on outside of the set anticlockwise to the next Lady, meanwhile Ladies step in [2 bars] + All take nearer hands (or commonly right hand in right) with new Partner - Promenade around 3/4 to Gent's place. At the endFinish turning the Lady in front to face into the set ready to restart the dance
64b	Repeat:	three more times until all Ladies are home with their original Partner...
The dance uses 4 x 64 bars in Jig time (+ introduction). Typically the Duke of Athol Reel is used to begin and end the dance.

MERRY WIDOW WALTZ
This is a popular Australian Colonial waltz for couples. The dance starts with honouring your Partner then taking upper promenafe hold (Lady facing line of dance (LOD) with both hands raised at shoulder level / Gent to the left and slightly behind the Lady takes left hand in left and right hand in right) / 32-bar waltz
4b	Advance + Chasse left	Using upper promenade hold both start with the left foot - Advance two slow steps [2 bars] + Chasse left (left-right behind-left-right close)
4b	Point + dip	Both using the right foot - point in front to the right (touching the floor with the toe), right foot touch in front, close, dip (bending both knees)
4b	Retire	Both step back on the left foot (slow) raising and pointing the right foot slightly + back on the right foot (slow) pointing the left + 3 quick steps back (left-right-left)
4b	Rock	Rock forward onto the right foot, back on the left, forward on the right + maintaining upper promenade hold - Swivel as a couple to face out sideways to line-of-dance bring left foot beside the right
4b	Slip Left + back	Step sideways onto the left foot along the line-of dance, close the right, step left close right [2 bars] + Step right foot back against line-of dance, close left, step right, close left
4b	Turn single	Starting on the left foot - four walking steps in a small circle turning away from partner finishing with a bow or curtsey to partner + take waltz hold
8b	Waltz	Circular waltz with partner finishing opening out to face along line-of-dance and taking upper promenade hold
This dance has been made popular by Daryl Powell who learnt it in his younger years in the Hunter Valley.

QUEEN OF SHEBA
Longways set of 4 Couples, 1s & 3s improper / 96-bar walking dance to Handel's 'Arrival of the Queen of Sheba' [Brian Jones, Mark Elvins (& Colin Towns)]
8b	Partners:	Up a double & back + Gypsy right shoulder – Finish facing down
8b	Partners:	Down a double & back + Gypsy left shoulder
4b	Ends (in 4s):	Right-hand star (top + bottom)
4b	Middles: End Couple:	Left-hand star while… 1st Gent followed by 1st Lady promenade to 4's place improper simultaneously with 4th Gent + 4th Lady promenading to 1's place
8b	Repeat	Right-hand star + Left-hand star or Promenade     Finish with Gents facing out
4b	Partners:	Ladies following Partner – Forward a double & back
4b	Neighbours:	Look right along the line - Gypsy right shoulder – Finish with Ladies facing out
4b	Partners:	Gents following Partner – Forward a double & back
4b	Neighbours:	Look left along the line - Gypsy left shoulder
2b	Ends-1s+4s:	Right-hand turn 3/4 + End Partners: Form arches up & down set with Ladies taking left hands
4b	Sides:	Promenade singly clockwise under arches
2b	Ends:	Right-hand turn 1/4 to place
2b	Sides:	Right-hand turn 3/4 + Form arches up & down set with Ladies taking left hands
4b	Ends:	Promenade singly clockwise under arches
2b	Sides:     Ends:     Sides:	Right-hand turn 1/4 to place     Take nearer hand with Partner     Take nearer hand with current Neighbour
8b	Bomb burst:	Forward a double & back with current Partner + Gypsy right shoulder
8b	Star burst:     All:	Forward a double & back with corner Partner + Gypsy left shoulder     Finish lined up for reel of four (middles facing nearer end)
5b	Reel x5:	1/2 reel of 4 (or Hey) then one position more
3b	Partners:	2-hand turn 1/2 way - Line up for reel of four
5b	Reel x5:	1/2 reel of 4 (or Hey) then one position more
3b	Partners:	2-hand turn 1/2 way - Honour Partner
The dance comes from "Maggot Pie" [1979] with a (re)introduction by Brian Jones at Sidmouth Folk Festival 1987. Later refinements were made by Brian Jones and Mark Elvins and Colin Towns.

Note: Both the "Bomb Burst" with sides & ends dancing out & back and the "Star Burst" with corners dancing out & back have been included as this new innovation gives the dance that little bit extra.

THE REEL OF THE 51ST DIVISION
Longways set of 4 Couples / 8x32-bar reels [Music: The Drunken Piper / Dance Composer: 51st Division c1940]
8b	1s:	Set + Cast off 2 places (2s move up) Meet below 3s & lead up (right hands) to face 1st Corners (1s: Back-to-back in the centre)
4b	1s+Corners:	Set + RH turn + Take Partners LH to form a line of 4
2b	1s+Corners:	Set
2b	1s:	LH turn 1 1/4 to face 2nd Corners
8b	1s+Corners:	Set + RH turn + Take Partners LH to form a line of 4
4b	1s+Corners:	Set + 1s: LH turn & dance to 2nd place on own side
8b	1s+2s+3s:	Circle left + Circle right
32b	Repeat:	Original 1st Couple repeat from 2nd position
3x64	Repeat:	With each other Couple leading from 1st and 2nd Position
The 51st (Highland) Division served in France from mid-May 1940, helping the French Army slow the German's advance on Paris near Abbeville. Later part of the officers of the original 51st (Highland) Division ended up in a POW camp near Salzburg. This dance was invented during the winter of 1940 by three officers: Lt. Jimmy Atkinson, Lt. Peter Oliver and Lt. Col. Tom Harris Hunter. The concept of the first 16 bars was to reproduce the saltire shoulder flash of the 51st Division and also that it was a variation on the diagonal of Scottish Reform.

THE ROBERTSON RANT
Square Set / 80-bar Strathspey [Dance Composer: Mrs Douglas Winchester / Music: The Robertson Rant, RSCDS Bk 39]
8b	All:	Circle left & back
4b	Ladies:	RH star 1/2 way + Turn opposite Gent LH
4b	Ladies:	RH star 1/2 way + Turn Partner LH
8b	1s+3s:	Reel of 4 (Ladies start passing L.Shldr)
8b	All:	Set (Highland Setting) to Corners + Turn twice (2H Open)
8b	2s+4s:	Reel of 4 (Ladies start passing L.Shldr)
8b	All:	Set (HS) to Corners + Turn twice
8b	Ladies:	Circle left + Set to & 2H turn Partners
8b	Gents:	Circle right + Set to & 2H turn Partners
8b	All:	Grand Chain
8b	All:	Allemande anti-clockwise

THE SQUEAKING WHEEL
Longways set: Duple improper / [Cary Ravitz 2002 - revised Arthur Kingsland 2008]
8b	Neighbours:	Balance + Swing
4b	Line of 4:	Line facing down (2s in the centre): Lead down [3b] + Keeping hands joined 2s turn back to back to face up bringing joined hands over their own heads while 1s take hands behind the 2s in cozy hold [1b]
4b	Line of 4:	Lead back up in cozy hold + 2s duck & 1s bring joined hands over the 2s to form a 4-leaf clover
4b	Cloverleaf:	Turn the cloverleaf left 3/4
4b	Partners:	Swing
4b	Original 4:	Ladies chain 1/2 way
4b	Original 4:	Right and left through 1/2 way
32b	Repeat	...at caller's or musicians' pleasure
At the 2008 National Folk Festival Dancers' Dance Preview I mistakenly tranposed the Ladies chain & 1/2 R & L and it seemed to work even better this way, so that's how we're dancing it now (i.e. as shown above)!

Regards,
Arthur Kingsland
Newcastle Irish Set Dancers / Newcastle & Hunter Valley Folk Club

History of Changes:

Contact details

For more information contact Arthur Kingsland
      
       T: (02) 4955 5701
      W: <http://users.tpg.com.au/juliasm/Dancers-Dance.html>