Eight by Thirty-Two8x32About this siteContactLog inRegister
  • 8x32
  • About this site
  • Contact

  • Register
  • Front Page
  • Categories directory
  • Archives
  • Latest comments
  • 1
  • ...
  • 9
  • 10
  • 11
  • 12
  • 13
  • 14
  • ...
  • 15
  • ...
  • 16
  • 17
  • 18
  • 19
  • 20

The Founder 8x32 S

Posted by terry on Nov 26, 2005 in Strathspeys

THE FOUNDER
32 bar strathspey for 3 couples

1-8 1st couple dance a full figure of eight down through and around 2nd couple.
9-16 1st and 2nd couples dance the targe progression:
9-10: partners turn 3/4 to form a momentary line up and down the center of the dance.
11-12: 1M2W turn 3/4 in the center while 1W & 2M dance clockwise around them to  form a momentary line of four across the dance.
13-14: partners turn 3/4 to finish on the sides of the dance, 1C on the women's side facing down, 2C on the men's side facing up.
15-16: all four chase one place clockwise to progressed places.
17-24 The corners face in on the diagonal and set for eight bars, except when being turned by 1C. (1cor will set, turn, and set twice while 2cor will set for six bars before they turn.)
Meanwhile:
1C set, advancing toward 1st corners.
1C turn 1cor with both hands, 1W finishing between 2C, 1M finishing between
3C, 1cor return to facing diagonally.
1C, facing each other up and down, set, advancing toward 2nd corners.
1C turn 2cor with both hands, finishing on the sides facing toward 1cor.
25-32 All dance reels of three on the sides of the dance, 1C giving LS to 1cor to begin the reel. 1C cross to own sides on 31-32.
  Repeat, having passed a couple.

This dance is for Gini Grover of Binghamton, NY.

Music: any good strathspey. I like to use the version of The Royal Wedding by George Meikle, on Highlander Socttish Dances Vol 10. In addition to being another Royal Wedding reference, it has a different feel than other versions
of this dance.

Devised by Terry Glasspool (tglasspool [at] stny.rr.com

See on Strathspey Server

Send feedback »

Fenway Jig 8x32 J

Posted by beth on Aug 29, 2005 in Jigs

FENWAY JIG
or The Curse Reversed

8x32 Jig for 3 couples

1-4 M advance and retire, while 1W set, advance, and turn right about
5-8 1W dance out through own place, below 2W, and up the middle to finish above 2C in middle facing down while 1M follow partner to finish below 2C in middle facing up. 2C step up on 7-8.
9-16 1C and 2C dance 8 bars of petronella setting -- set, travel, set, travel, finishing w/ 1C still facing up and down in the center, man above; 2C finish on opposite sides, moving in slightly on the last turn to form an arch.
17-20 1M face left and dance out around 2M and across to second place on the men's side while 1W dances under 2C's arch, then follows her partner to finish in second place on women's side. 2C stand in arch on 17-18, then slip step to own sides (starting with L foot) on 19-20, retaining hands as long as possible.
21-24 1C and 3C chase around a circle, as if dancing L hands across but without hands.
25-32 1C face down, give L shoulder to 3C for 8 bar parallel reels of 3. Women may finish with long turns.

The dance finishes with two chords:

  • Chord 1, bow or curtsey to partner;
  • chord 2, exchange high fives. Jumping into a pile on top of the pitcher is discouraged.

Tune: "The Night We Reversed the Curse" (Hanneke Cassel)
[in place of the opening chord, a few bars/notes of the national anthem is recommended]

Devised by Beth Kingsley (ejk [at] zzapp.org) and Ellie Briscoe June, 2005

See on Strathspey Server

Send feedback »

Two's Company - Three's A Crowd 3x32 S

Posted by holly on Aug 26, 2005 in Strathspeys

TWO'S COMPANY - THREE'S A CROWD

3x32 Strathspey

1-8 1C, 2C, 3C Set and dance La Barratte* (End on opposite sides)
9-16 1C, 2C, 3C Set and dance La Barratte* (End on opposite sides)
17-20 3C and 2C Set and Link for 2 couples.
End progressed (2C, 3C, 1C).
21-32 Rights and Lefts for 3 couples, ending ready for 2C to start a new round.

*Directions for La Barratte:

La Barratte takes only 6 Bars so it usually starts with set.

1-2 Set
3-4 Cross RH until arms are almost fully extended
5 Dance back the path you just traveled. But woman pull back RS slightly & raise R arm so you can dance under own R arm - Both couples are now facing down the dance.
Woman has back to partner.
6 Man hold out LH - palm UP.
Woman bring LH up UNDER man's LH & wrap fingers over top of his palm. Let go RHs.
As man raises L arm slightly - Woman dances UNDER his L arm.
LHs are now in proper SD grip.
7-8 Dance out to opposite sides.

Note: Bars 5-6 are crucial bars with a lot to do quickly. I would suggest practicing them until you can dance quickly, smoothly and automatically.

Devised by Holly V. Sherman (hollyvalentine530 [at] yahoo.com)

See on Strathspey Server

3 feedbacks »

Ladies of Schiehallion 4x64 M (32 S + 32 R)

Posted by holly on Aug 03, 2005 in Medleys

THE LADIES OF SCHIEHALLION

64 Bar Medley for 4 couples
(32 bars of strathspey then 32 bars of reel time - 4 times through)

2 chords:
1st chord - Bow and Curtsey
2nd chord - 3rd & 4th couples change sides

STRATHSPEY:

1-8 1C and 2C Set and Rotate:
Take hands on sides and set. All pull back RS to cast, rotating one position to right (clockwise). Change places RH with partner up and down set. All chase one position to clockwise around the mini-square.
9-16 2C, 1C, 3C, 4C Bubble Up Figure:
(Remember: Every 2 bars all are on sides facing in)
2C cast to 4th place while all other couples Turn RH halfway moving up one place.
1C cast to 4th place while all other couples Turn RH halfway moving up one place.
3C cast to 4th place while all other couples Turn RH halfway moving up one place.
4C cast to 4th place while all other couples Turn RH halfway moving up one place.
(Keep turns tight and really long steps when casting)
End in the order 2C 1C 3C 4C (2W and 1W will be on partner's side), with 2C facing 1C and 3C facing 4C.
17-24 Reels of 4 on sides. End top with 2 couples and bottom 2 couples facing in diagonally in their square of 4 people.
25-28 Set and Track Figure:
All set (2 bars). All move as follows to form a square set ( 2 bars):
2M, followed by 2W dance to left to 2nd place in the square;
4M followed by 4W dance to left to 4th place in the square;
1C dance to left, 1M cutting in front so 1W finishes on 1M's right side facing DOWN in 1st place in the square;
3C dance to left, 3M cutting in front so 3W finishes on 3M's right side facing UP in 3rd place in the square set.
29-32 All 4 couples Turn RH with partner and end men facing IN and women facing OUT

REEL (In square set) OR PARTY TIME:

1-16 ALL CLAP and dance Schiehallion reels:
Men dance in diagonally to take the place of the woman on their right. Ladies dance out and around to take their partner's place. Men dance out and around to follow the same woman, while the ladies dance in and across to follow their partner. Repeat for 12 more bars until you return to original place. (Remember: every 2 bars on line of square).
End all facing RIGHT (Widdershins) around square set.
17-24 Chase around the square as follows to finish back to longwise set, in the order 2C 3C 4C 1C, all finishing on partner's side:
2C travel 1 place to right and STOP at top of set (2 bars) While 3C travel 2 places to right (below 2c) and STOP (4 bars) While 4C travel 3 places to right (below 3c) and STOP (6 bars) While 1c travel 4 places to right (below 4c) and STOP (8 bars)
Remember: 2 bars per each side of square. Men take small steps to finish on ladies' side.
25-32 2C and 3C Cross RH in 2 bars then rest for 6 bars (there are no other rest periods in entire dance) While 4C and 1C dance the Slip Knot (non-progressive Knot, devised by Mel Briscoe) upside-down:
Bars 1-6 are danced as for a normal Knot. On bars 7-8, the two couples dance LH across halfway to finish where they started the formation.
Remember: Dancers start and finish on partner's side, so the formation ends up being danced upside down (i.e. the dancers face UP not down the set on bar 2 of the figure, and turn to face DOWN not up on bar 3).
  End with new top couple in 1st place (2c 3c 4c 1c) with bottom two couples on opposite sides again.
READY TO OPEN ANOTHER BOTTLE OF CHAMPAGNE

Devised by Holly V. Sherman (hollyvalentine530 [at] yahoo.com)

Notes from Holly: "Thank you" to Howard Lasnik and Dale Birdsall for their suggestions in the segues between some of the figures.

The Ladies of Schiehallion are:

  • Chris Gallagher
  • Betty Allen
  • Holly Sherman

This dance was devised to commemorate their 10th anniversary as roommates at Pinewoods.

The dance had to be a medley to fit their different personalities. It had to have Schiehallion reels in it because the name of their cabin is Schiehallion, and it had to have something "bubbly" in it because they like to party and they host a champagne mimosa party at camp every year.

The dance tells a story:
Part one of the story is in strathspey because the party hasn't gotten going yet and it denotes the personality of one of the roommates. The Set and Rotate figure represents the opening of a champagne bottle - so only the top 2 couples dance - representing the cork. After the cork pops, the champagne bubbles up and spills out and down the sides of the bottle. This bubble up figure was devised by Michael Bentley. The constant flowing movement in the reel of four represents the pouring of the champagne and in the last figure of strathspey - the people are setting in little groups talking - but decide to circulate to see who else is at the party - then the couples decide to split up and get the party going.

Part two of the story is in quick time to represent the personality of the other roommate - and because the party is now in full swing. Dancing the Schiehallion reels is always fun and lively - just like a party. Then it's time to settle down - take a breather - look for a place to rest for awhile. While the top 2 couples rest (and think about opening another bottle of champagne in strathspey time), the bottom 2 couples have found a little champagne left in the old bottle and decide to finish it off - with the Slip Knot - danced up as the bottle empties. Don't worry - the Schiehallion ladies would never have just one bottle of champagne - in fact they have four so all 4 couples have a chance to open a bottle, dance, and have a "Reel" good time.

RECAP/BRIEFING:
Strathspey:
Figure 1. 1c & 2c Set & Rotate (8 Bars)
Figure 2. All 4c Bubble Up (8 Bars)
Figure 3. All 4c Reel of 4 on sides (8 Bars)
Figure 4. All 4c Set & Chase to left to form square (4 Bars)
All 4c Set and Turn RH (4 Bars)

Reel (Clap)
Figures 1 & 2. All 4c Schiehallion reels (16 Bars)
Figure 3. All 4c Chase to right to form lines again (8 Bars)
Figure 4. All 4c Cross (RH) 2c & 3c rest for 6 Bars while 4c & 1c continue with Slip Knot danced UP (8 Bars)

See on Strathspey Server

Send feedback »

Blaine's Double Date 4x32 R

Posted by ellen on Jul 22, 2005 in Reels

BLAINE'S DOUBLE DATE
32R4

1-4 1C & 4C cross RH and cast, 1C down 1 place, 4C up one place. 2C and 3C step up or down on 3-4.
5-8 1C dance ½ figure of 8 up around 2's while 4C dance ½ figure 8 down around 3's. 1C meet in center, facing 2M. 1W will be on 1M's right. 4C meet in center facing 3W, 4W will be on man's left.
9-14 1C & 4C dance 6 bars of "hello-good-bye" in tandem.* 1C dances the track on the men's side of the dance, 4C dances the track on the ladies side, setting to each other as a couple across the dance. Couples join nearer hands when setting.
15 1C, 4C, nearer hands joined set advancing toward each other.
16 1C, 4C dance away from each other toward the side line closer to them, with traveling pas basque, to face up and down, ready for reel of 4 on the sides. (4W faces 2M, 4M faces 2W, 1W faces 3M, 1M faces 3W.) 2C and 3C face up and down.
17-24 Reels of 4 on the side
25-28 4C, giving RH, cross above 2C and cast into 2nd place. 1C, giving RH, cross below 3C and cast up to 3rd place.
29-32 4C & 1C dance RH across back to new positions on own sides.
  Repeat 3 times.

* Hello-Goodbye in Tandem:

1C track:

Bar 1 set to 2M
Bar 2 traveling pas de basque to men's side line, keeping same relative position to partner, as in petronella in tandem. Man will finish on sideline next to 3M. Woman will finish next to 2M, now on her partner's left.
Bar 3 1C set to 4C, who are now on the sidelines across the set.
Bar 4 Traveling PDB to face 3M. 1M finishes closer to bottom of set, lady closer to sideline and on her partner's right.
Bar 5 Couple set to 3M
Bar 6 Travel to bottom of set, facing up. Man finishes next to 3W, woman next to 3M.

4C track:

Bar 1 set to 2W
Bar 2 traveling pas de basque to women's side line, keeping same relative position to partner, as in petronella in tandem. Man will finish on sideline next to 2W. Woman will finish next to 4W, now on her partner's right.
Bar 3 4C set to 1C, who are now on the sidelines across the set.
Bar 4 Traveling PDB to face 2W. 1W finishes closer to top of set, man closer to sideline and on her partner's left.
Bar 5 Couple set to 2W
Bar 6 Travel to top of set, facing down. Woman finishes next to 2M, M next to 2W.

Devised by Ellen Ternes (eternes [at] umd.edu) and Martha Anderson

Notes from Ellen: Dedicated to Blaine Peet. We were both his "partner" for General Stuart's reel at Capitol weekend, and later that night (read 4 a.m.) and a little wine (okay, a bottle) we had devised a real dance out of the makeshift petronella we had come up with in the dance. It actually works I think, and is fun. If you decide to try it, let me know if you have any thoughts for ways it might work better. One thing I'm going to try next time I do it, is to make the last 2 bars of the petronella skip change (when dancing couples dance to the sidelines).

See on Strathspey Server

Send feedback »
  • 1
  • ...
  • 9
  • 10
  • 11
  • 12
  • 13
  • 14
  • ...
  • 15
  • ...
  • 16
  • 17
  • 18
  • 19
  • 20
April 2026
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
      1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30    
 << <   > >>

Eight by Thirty-Two

This site is intended to be a blog for testing and receiving feedback on Scottish country dances. If you have tried one of the dances posted here, please share your thoughts by clicking on the "Leave a comment" link at the bottom of the dance in question.

Search

Recent Posts

  • Vefa's Strathspey 8x32 or 3x32 S
  • Rin Wuid 8x32 R
  • Music Melts Upon the Evening Breeze 3x32 or 8x32 S
  • Last Set in the Hall 3x32 S
  • Malcolm's Shoes 8x32 J
  • Lagavulin 5x32 S
  • Janice 3x32 S
  • The Battle of Trafalgar 6x40 H
  • The Road to Scurdie Ness 4x40 R
  • Swirling Leaves 8x32 J

Recent Comments

  • lara on The City of Christchurch 2x32 S + 2x32 R
  • Sandra McCormick on The City of Christchurch 2x32 S + 2x32 R
  • Cord Walter on The Physicist's Folly 1x128 S
  • doug on As Cedar Falls, So Falls Waterloo 4x32 J
  • Patty Lindsay on Giants of Foudland 3x48 R
  • Andrew Buxton on As Cedar Falls, So Falls Waterloo 4x32 J
  • wouter on Laird of Dalnair 8x32 R
  • Paula Jacobson on Laird of Dalnair 8x32 R
  • lara on Gude Ale Keeps the Heart Aboon 8x32 R
  • sue on The Physicist's Folly 1x128 S
  • Cord Walter on The Physicist's Folly 1x128 S
  • Christine Davies on Mary Stewart Ashworth 8x32 R
  • Mary Quinton on Quaternary Knot 8x32 J
  • Jeanette McGown on Two's Company - Three's A Crowd 3x32 S
  • Denise Smith on De’il Amang the Gaylors 8x32 R
  • Mary Davidson on The Falls of Lana 8x32 R
  • Martha Kent on The Falls of Lana 8x32 R
  • Cord Walter on Triangle Reel 8x32 R
  • alison on Giants of Foudland 3x48 R
  • Bob Inbgalls on Giants of Foudland 3x48 R

This collection ©2026 by E-cribs Team • Contact • Help • Social CMS engine

Build your own website!

Cookies are required to enable core site functionality.