Re: [Callers] 1820s-1830s Dances

On 3/18/2014 12:53 PM, rich sbardella wrote: 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.