Re: [Callers] Allemande

Hi Tom, As I say at the top of the page, "Allemande" is a popular word and has been used to mean many completely different things. For example Wilson, in 1816, used "Allemande" to mean a Dosido using three chasses, a jete and an assemble (polka steps then jump)! https://www.regencydances.org/paper001.php has lots more about the Allemandes of the period. The original instructions for "Away to the Camp" from Thompson in 1782 just say "Allemand with your partner" with no indication of what is meant by "Allemand". Away to the Camp would of course have been danced vigorously with stepping in 1782. Whoever reconstructed the dance at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nk5-IKvxubg choose one of the many interpretations of the word "Allemand". The Sottish still use that hold and call it a Tulloch Hold Swing, though they use it less now as it can be awkward. You can learn all about it at https://www.scottish-country-dancing-dictionary.com/tulloch-turn-grip.html and see it being danced at https://www.scottish-country-dancing-dictionary.com/videoclips/tulloch-turn…. I often use it in contra dances if I have a good partner. I try to do a different swing each time through the dance, and use the Tulloch Hold as one of my swings if the dancer is good. Happy dancing, John John Sweeney, Dancer, England john(a)modernjive.com 01233 625 362 & 07802 940 574 http://contrafusion.co.uk/KentCeilidhs.html for Live Music Ceilidhs http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent http://www.modernjive.com for Modern Jive DVDs