Class Notes

We have started dancing again with great care due to Covid concerns. We had to find a new venue and we are exploring a couple of options. We plan to keep this page updated with class class history. Check the Class and Event Calendar page for dates, times, and locations of upcoming classes (click on the event to see full details).

The Class and Event Calendar page also contains our COVID-19 policy information.

Here is a link to the Scottish Country Dancing Dictionary website, which has information on all aspects of dancing as well as a large collection of dance cribs and links to dance videos: Scottish Country Dancing Dictionary.

People may also find these videos useful for polishing up SCD figures: http://www.lowerhuttscd.org.nz/index.php/teaching-tools/.

Tuesday, March 21, 2023, we spent significant time on rights and lefts for 3 couples. We also worked on corners pass and turn and diagonal rights and lefts and did a dance for Puppet Day.

Dances done:

Come What May 32J2
The Golden Age Strathspey 32S3
The Professor’s Wife 32J3
The Brook 32J3
Flying High in Straight Formation 32S3 (new Sue dance)
The Puppeteer 32R3

Tuesday, March 14, 2023, we did the last remaining Madison Ball dance. We spent time working on strathspey traveling and setting steps. Also we did a fun requested dance and a couple of dances related to Kumihimo (one I’d written a few years ago and one sent to me by someone who found my dance and had a friend who’d written one for Kumihimo as well).

Dances done:

Tuesday, March 7, 2023, we worked on dances with corners pass and turn and reels of 3 across the set. We worked on 2 more Madison Ball dances.

Dances done:

Tuesday, February 28th, 2023, we worked mostly on Madison Ball dances. We worked on double crossover mirror reels, hello-goodbye setting, double figures of 8, and corner-partner.

Dances done:

Tuesday, February 21st, 2023, Noel Chávez taught the class and worked on the 3-couple promenade in both strathspey and quicktime and corner-partner-corner-partner. She also introduced us to some interesting older dances.

Dances done:

Tuesday, February 14th, 2023, we worked on grand chain, corners pass and turn, and the strathspey travel step. We danced a couple of dances from the Madison Ball program, a couple of Valentine-themed dances, and a couple of fun dances.

Dances done:

The Brook 32J3
First Love 32S3
Chased Lovers 32J3
Flight of the Hawk 32S4 (set) (new Sue dance)
The Chequered Court 32J3
J. B. Milne 32R3

Tuesday, February 7th, 2023, we had a new dancer and covered some of the basic figures in class and did dances with those figures plus a few fun dances. We were privileged to have an unpublished Kent Smith dance to try; the link for the dance takes you to a page with the dance write-up and a link to download a PDF of the dance.

Dances done:

The Glen 32J2
The Sauchie Haugh 32S2
The Oban Reel 32R2
The Dancing Gymnast 32J3 (unpublished Kent Smith dance)
Ariel’s Mama 32S4 (set) (new Sue dance)
Airyhall Delight 32J3
Ferla Mor or The Big Grey Man 32R3

Tuesday, January 31st, 2023, we kept working on Madison dances. We did an exercise in turns in both strathspey and quicktime, emphasizing that there is no backing up from these turns. We also tried a simple dance with Schiehallion reels for fun.

Dances done:

For fun, here is a link to a demo-level performance of Schiehallion.

Tuesday, January 24th, 2023, we continued to work on Madison dances and diagonal reels of four. We also worked on half diagonal reels of 4.

Dances done:

Tuesday, January 17th, 2023, we started working on Madison Ball dances. We also worked on reels of 4, both up and down the set and diagonally.

Dances done:

Tuesday, January 10th, 2023, we spent the evening reviewing NY Ball dances. We had a good time and are looking forward to Saturday’s Ball.

Dances done:

Tuesday, January 3rd, 2023, we reviewed some of the NY Ball dances not done recently. We discussed corners and walked through double triangles, the knot, and set and link.

Dances done:

Tuesday, December 13, 2022, we danced at Dance Spot of DuPage. This was our final meeting of the year with holiday-themed dances. The plan had to be tweaked a bit due to people testing positive for covid and being caught up in preparing for travel or visitors, so the class was smaller than expected. But we had fun and got through several of the planned dances. We will re-start classes January 3rd.

Dances done:

Tuesday, December 6, 2022, we danced at Dance Spot of DuPage. We danced the last 3 dances from the NY Ball program and dances that centered on the figures we’d been working on: ladies’ chain, figures of 8, rights and lefts, and reels of 3 on the sides. We also walked through and danced the strathspey poussette.

Dances done:

Kendall’s Hornpipe 32J2
Dancing in the Streets 32R2
Gentle Lady 40S3 (set)
Major Ian Stewart 32J3
The Highlandman Kissed His Mother 32R3
Amberley 32S3 (set)
Thanksgiving Kindness 32J3 (new Sue dance)
Rakes of Glasgow 32S3
The Reel of the 51st Division 32R3

Tuesday, November 29, 2022, we danced at Dance Spot of DuPage. We did dances that included the figures we’d been working on (reels of 3 on the sides, hands across, figures of 8, and allemande) and added in a review of ladies’ chain. We also did 3 dances from the NY Ball program.

Dances done:

Gloria’s Wee Jig 32J2
Shiftin’ Bobbins 32R3
Families Together 32S3 (new Sue dance)
James Gray 32J4 (set)
The Auld Grey Cat 32R3
The Dundee Whaler 32S4 (set)
Beach Dancer 32J3

Tuesday, November 15, 2022, we danced at Dance Spot of DuPage. We celebrated a couple of birthdays and did one dance from the NY Ball program. We introduced allemande and reels of 3 on the sides and did dances with those figures. Note: we will NOT be dancing on Tuesday the 22nd; we will return to dancing on the 29th. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Dances done:

Collie Law 32J2
The Ballater Reel 32R2
Barry’s Birthday Bourrel 32S3
Pint O’ Ale Is Fain 32J3 (done with reels of 3 on the sides)
Susan Scott of San Raphael 32R3
The 18th of November 32S3
The Machine Without Horses 32J3

Tuesday, November 8, 2022, we danced at Dance Spot of DuPage. We worked more on rights and lefts and figures of eight and introduced the promenade by walking it and emphasizing timing. We also reviewed strathspey traveling and setting steps.

Dances done:

Pint O’ Ale Is Fain 32J3 (done with figures of 8 not reels)
Turkey Trot 32R3
The Hidden Valley 32S2
Promen-all 32J2 (specially written teaching dance)
Squirrel in a Pumpkin 32S3 (new Sue dance)
The Selkirk Settlers 40R3 (set)
Cherrybank Gardens 32S3 (set)

Tuesday, November 1, 2022, we danced at Dance Spot of DuPage. We continued to work on basic figures (rights and lefts, turning people in 4 bars, and casting) and added in turning people in 2 bars and figures of 8. We danced the last dance from the Fall Dance and two dances from the NY Ball program.

Dances done:

Tuesday, October 25, 2022, we danced at Dance Spot of DuPage. We had a new dancer (yeah!) and spent time going over turning partners by the right and left in 4 bars, right and left hands across, leading down and back, casting off, and rights and lefts. We did a few dances incorporating those figures as well as a dance from the Fall dance program.

Dances done:

The Glen 32J2
Nessie’s Reel 32R3
Stormontfield 16S+16R3
Hooper’s Jig 32J3
Golden Glow 32S3 (new Sue dance)

Tuesday, October 18, 2022, we danced at Dance Spot of DuPage. We finished dances from the Milwaukee Halloween dance program and did a couple from the Fall dance and the proposed NY Ball program.

Dances done:

Tuesday, October 11, 2022, we danced at Dance Spot of DuPage. We had a small group, but managed to do dances from both the Milwaukee Halloween dance and the Fall dance program. We also danced a couple of dances from the proposed NY Ball program.

Dances done:

Cutty Sark 32J3
The Wind on the Heath 32R3
The Orchards of County Armagh 32S3 (set)
Trading Spaces 32J3 (new Sue dance)
Sugar Candie 32S3
The Cranberry Tart 32J3
MacDonald of the Isles 32S3 (set)
Beeswing 32R3
The Reel of the Royal Scots 32R3

Tuesday, October 4, 2022, we danced at Dance Spot of DuPage. We concentrated on mastering some of the more ‘interesting’ dances from the Milwaukee Halloween dance and the Fall dance program.

Dances done:

Alan’s Romp 32J3
Slytherin House 32S3
The Whistling Wind 32R3
The Express 40J3
A Creative Soul 32R3 (new Sue dance)
Hooked on Bells 32J4 (set)

Tuesday, September 27th, 2022, we danced at Dance Spot of DuPage. We reviewed rights and lefts: making the changes a bit curved and not holding on too long or pulling hands down. We also reviewed the timing in dancing down for 3, up for 3, and casting off 1 place. We danced several dances from the Milwaukee Halloween dance and one from the Fall dance program.

Dances done:

Tuesday, September 20th, 2022, we danced at Dance Spot of DuPage. We reviewed handing – graceful bends in arms when turning and not pulling hands down when passing. We danced a few dances from the Milwaukee Halloween program and the Fall Dance program.

Dances done:

Thunderbird 5 32R5 (5-person dance)
Mrs Stewart’s Jig 32J3
Torf’s Watching! 32S3
The Spring Fling Reel 40R3
Alan’s Romp 32J3 (need to re-do this one as we didn’t get through it)
The Long Goodbye 32S3 (new Sue dance)
Madame de Staël 32R4 (square)
Wilma of Oban 32S3
Shiftin’ Bobbins 32R3

Tuesday, September 13th, 2022, we danced at Dance Spot of DuPage. We danced a dance in honor of Her Majesty. We also did a few more dances from the Milwaukee Halloween program and the Fall Dance program.

Dances done:

Up the Pond 32J3
Send Her Victorious 32S3 (set)
Aileen’s Reel 32R3
City of Belfast 32S3 (set)
Eileen Watt’s Reel 32R3 (set)
Missing Judee 32S3 (new Sue dance)
The Australian Ladies 32R3

Tuesday, September 6th, 2022, we danced at Dance Spot of DuPage. The plan was to start working through dances from the Milwaukee Halloween Dance and our own Fall Dance but because of several people being away for various reasons, we had a small class and pivoted to other dances.

Dances done:

Granville Market 32J3 (Milwaukee dance)
Loch Effect 32J5 (5-person dance – back by request)
Still Crazy After All These Years 32S3 (new Sue dance)
Alan’s Romp 32J3
Folksy Fivesome 32R5 (5-person dance)
Dragonflies 32S5 (5-person dance)
The Ghost and Mary Jo 32J5 (5-person dance)
The Nightingale Floor 32R5 (5-person dance)
Polka Dot Polka 32R5 (5-person dance)

Tuesday, August 30th, 2002, we danced at Dance Spot of DuPage. This class focused on covering, i.e. timing. We discussed covering for several figures in several dances. We started the class with only 5 dancers so got to try another 5-person dance.

Dances done:

Domino Five 32R5 (5-person dance)
Beach Dancer 32J3
Debbie the Hungarian Lady 32R2
The Earl of Northampton 32S2
Cargill’s Leap 32J3
Chain-Chain-Chain 32R3 (new Sue dance)
The Indian River Strathspey 32S3 (triangle)
Culla Bar 32S4 (square)
Baldyquash 32R3

Tuesday, August 23rd, 2022, we danced at Dance Spot of DuPage. This class focused on ladies’ chain and all but one dance had a ladies’ chain figure.

Dances done:

Tuesday, August 16th, 2022, we danced at Dance Spot of DuPage. This class focused on anticipation and all the dances have areas where dancers need to be ready for the next part of the dance.

Dances done:

Tuesday, August 9th, 2022, we danced at Dance Spot of DuPage. Once again we started with 5 people and once again danced a 5-person dance as more people arrived. This class focused on figures of 8 and nearly every dance had a figure of 8 figure (one couple dancing solo, 2 couples dancing both from next to each other and when separated by a couple acting as posts). We also reviewed the timing and positioning for the quicktime poussette and the rondel.

Dances done:

Tuesday, August 2nd, 2022, we danced at Dance Spot of DuPage. We started with only 5 people so we did a 5-person dance and a few more people arrived. We reviewed timing in the knot (both 2-couple and 3-couple) and handing in rights and lefts for 3 couples.

Dances done:

Loch Effect 5J32 (5-person set dance)
Miss Allie Anderson 32J3
Beeswing 32R3
The Morning After 32S2
Cheeky Chipmunk 32J3 (new Sue dance)
A Stroller in Hades 32R3
Moulin Brae 32S3 (set)
Airyhall Delight 32J3
The Blethering Ghillie 32S3
The Peat Road 32R3

Tuesday, July 26th, 2022, we danced at Dance Spot of DuPage. Noel Chávez taught the class and concentrated on advance and retire, back to back, and petronella in tandem.

Dances done:

Tuesday, July 19, 2022, we danced at Dance Spot of DuPage. As a farewell to Carrie, we danced a program of dances all written by Chicago-affiliated devisors. We reviewed rights and lefts for 3 couples again, but this time danced *across* the set and we reviewed the bourrel for 3 couples.

Dances done:

Tuesday, July 12, 2002, we danced at Dance Spot of DuPage. We reviewed the knot, double triangles, inveran reels, and rights and lefts for 3 couples and danced dances incorporating those figures.

Dances done:

Tuesday, July 5, 2002, we danced at Dance Spot of DuPage. We danced a couple of dances for the Queen’s Jubilee, a dance for midsummer (a bit late), and a few fun dances. We reviewed the strathspey poussette from all positions, including both sides of the set.

Dances done:

Tuesday, June 28, 2022, we danced at Dance Spot of DuPage. We re-tried our top 3 trial dances to pick an favorite prior to sending our results to HQ. We also did a couple of simpler dances with basic figures for our new dancer Marnie (who didn’t need this as she is very quick to catch on).

Dances done:

The Buckie Jig 32J2
The Ballater Reel 32R2
Tinkling Jade 32S3 (new Sue dance)
trial strathspey
trial strathspey
trial reel

Tuesday, June 21, 2022, we danced at Dance Spot of DuPage. We tried some of the dances from the Midwest Scottish Weekend and a couple of lovely strathspeys not done at the weekend.

Dances done:

The Lady Wynd 32J3
A Taste of Home 32R3
Virtual Happiness 32S3 (Set)
Rachel’s Bakery 32J3
High Maintenance 32R3 (Set) (new Sue dance)
Memories from Lyon 32S3 (Set) – note on the same page as A Taste of Home
35 Years and Counting 32J3

Tuesday, June 14, 2022, we danced at Dance Spot of DuPage. We finished trying the trial dances for Book 53 and plan to revisit the top vote getters to pick our overall favorite on the 30th. We were pleased to have visitors (Atia and Judy) from Cincinnati join us on their way home from the Midwest Scottish Weekend.

Dances done:

Hooper’s Jig 32J3
trial reel
trial strathspey
trial jig
trial reel
trial strathspey

Tuesday, June 7, 2022, we danced at Dance Spot of DuPage. We taught the remaining not-taught dance from the MSW and covered a few of the challenging ones we’d not danced recently.

Dances done:

Tuesday, May 31, 2022, we danced at Dance Spot of DuPage. Noel Chávez taught the class and concentrated on handing and timing in turns and crossings. We covered 4- and 2-bar turns in strathspey time and in rights and lefts. We also covered strathspey traveling and setting steps then used our knowledge in set to and turn corners in both strathspey and quicktime. We then worked on corner-partner in both tempos.

Dances done:

Tuesday, May 24, 2022, we danced at Dance Spot of DuPage. We mostly worked to try out dances submitted for Book 53 and added a couple of other dances for fun.

Dances done:

Le Papillon 32J3
trial reel
trial strathspey
trial jig
trial strathspey
Golden Splendor 32J3 (new Sue dance)
The Highlandman Kissed His Mother 32R3

Tuesday, May 17, 2022, we danced at Dance Spot of DuPage. We did one dance from the MSW Friday dance program and one dance from the MSW Ball. We also started working on trial dances for possible inclusion in Book 53.

Dances done:

Gloria’s Wee Jig 32J2
Clutha 48R4 (square)
The Duchess Tree 32S3
trial jig
Circle of Life 32S3 (new Sue dance)
All For Mary 32R3

Tuesday, May 10, 2022, we danced at Dance Spot of DuPage. We reviewed ladies chain and grand chain and did several dances including those figures. We danced dances from the MSW dance programs and the Boston weekend programs as well as a couple of favorites.

Dances done:

Mrs Stewart’s Jig 32J3
Bratach Bana 32R3
The Dundee Whaler 32S4 (set)
The Express 40R3
The White City 32S3 (new Sue dance)
The Falls of Rogie 32R3
Blue Bonnets 32J2

Tuesday, May 3, 2022, we danced at Dance Spot of DuPage. Noel Chávez taught the class and provided an intensive review of quicktime traveling step with an emphasis on getting the hops in the correct places and making the carry-through smooth and continuous. She also reviewed grand chain.

Dances done:

Tuesday, April 26, 2022, we danced at Dance Spot of DuPage. We spent time working on reels of 3 and reels of 4, both right-shoulder and left-shoulder and walked from all positions. We then danced dances incorporating those reels. We also spent time reviewing the strathspey poussette. We danced a couple of dances from the Boston program and one from the MSW Friday dance program.

Dances done:

The Isle 32J3
Currie Mountain 32R3
Dream Angus 32S3
Just a Little Jig 32J3 (new Sue dance)
Da Rain Dancin’ 32R3
The Gentleman 32S3

Tuesday, April 19th, 2022, we danced at Dance Spot of DuPage. We spent time on strathspey traveling and setting steps and emphasized adjusting your steps and timing for covering different distances in dances. We also reviewed the rondel. We did some dances from the MSW Ball and the Boston dance weekend.

Dances done:

The Ayr Promenade (var in the last 8 bars to make a 3 couple dance) 32J3
Fair Donald 32S3
The Australian Ladies 32R3
The Flight of the Falcon 32J3
The Three Sisters 32S3
Anderson’s Rant 32R3
Trotter at Play 32J3 (new Sue dance)
Bob Campbell 32S3

Tuesday, April 12th, 2022, we danced at Dance Spot of DuPage. We’d billed this as a ‘bring a friend’ night, so had prepared some introductory dances to start with, but we didn’t actually have any new dancers. There were quite a few friends we’d not seen in a bit, so we had a nice crowd and tweaked the program to match. We started with some simpler dances and a ceilidh dance, then did a couple of dances from the MSW Ball, Blue Sky, Yellow Sun in honor of Ukraine, an old friend, and a tartan-themed dance in honor of Tartan Day last week.

Dances done:

Tuesday, April 5th, 2022, we danced at Dance Spot of DuPage. Mady Newfield taught the class and reviewed quicktime skip change and corners pass and turn both the regular figure and the modified figure in Drewry’s dance. We did a couple of dances in honor of Tartan Day and 3 dances from the MSW Ball.

Dances done:

Tartan Plaidie 32S2 also done as 32J2
Happy Tartan 32R3
The Lantern of the North 32J3
The Hazel Tree 32J3
Oompah, Oompah, Shove It Up Your Joompah! 32R2

Tuesday, March 29, 2022, we danced at Dance Spot of DuPage. Noel Chávez taught the class and reviewed all the quicktime steps: traveling, slip step, and pas-de-basque, both stationary and traveling. She also covered the quicktime poussette and reviewed rights and lefts in strathspey time, both with 2 bars per change and 1 bar per change. We had a new dancer who picked up SCD very quickly – welcome, Carrie!

Dances done:

Tuesday, March 22, 2022, we danced at Dance Spot of DuPage. We were pleased to welcome a visitor – welcome, Benjamin! We reviewed strathspey setting and hello-goodbye setting in both strathspey time and quicktime. We also reviewed ladies’ chain up and down the set and the tournée. We did a dance to celebrate cherry blossom time, 2 dances from the MSW ball and 1 dance from the MSW Friday dance program.

Dances done:

Tuesday, March 15, 2022, we danced at Dance Spot of DuPage. We reviewed the timing for a 3-couple promenade and did some dances in celebration of St Patrick’s Day. We did Regina Freinbichler’s dance in her memory and one dance from the Midwest Scottish Weekend Friday Dance Program.

Dances done:

Tuesday, March 8, 2022, we danced at Dance Spot of DuPage. We reviewed the 2- and 3-couple allemande in both strathspey and reel time. We also danced a dance in honor of International Women’s Day and a dance in honor of Wind in the Willows day. We incorporated 2 dances from the upcoming Midwest Scottish Weekend Ball program into the class as well.

Dances done:

Pint o’ Ale Is Fain 32J3
Sandy O’er the Lea 32S2
5 Feisty Women and Michael 32R3 (set – danced 2X)
Major Ian Stewart 32J3
The Byron Strathspey 32S3 (set)
The German Figure 32R3 (new Sue dance)
Toad of Toad Hall 32R3

Tuesday, March 1, 2022, we danced at Dance Spot of DuPage. We reviewed pas-de-basque, both in place and traveling and reviewed the set to partner and corner (hello-goodbye) figure. We also reviewed strathspey setting advancing and turning two hands back to place. We included two dances from the Midwest Scottish Weekend Friday Dance Program and one dance from the postponed Madison Ball.

Dances done:

Tuesday, February 22, 2022, we danced at Dance Spot of DuPage. We found one kind-of Presidents’ Day/George Washington’s Birthday-themed dance to try. We also tried out Wouter Joubert’s dance and music written to celebrate Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Anniversary. We covered the quicktime setting step (pas-de-basque) and reviewed the form of the quicktime poussette. We drew on the Madison Ball program (which sadly has been pushed to next year) and the Midwest Scottish Weekend Ball program for a couple of other dances.

Dances done:

Tuesday, February 15, 2022. we danced at Dance Spot of DuPage. We danced a few Valentines Day-themed dances, one dance from the proposed Madison Ball program, and a dance left over from the Burns night celebration a couple of weeks ago. We talked about timing in dances and used a simple-seeming dance to illustrate how hard a ‘simple’ dance can be with complex timing.

Dances done:

Granville Market 32J3
When Hearts Meet 32R3
The Braes of Breadalbane 32S3
Two Hearts Entwined 32R3 (new Sue dance)
Asilomar Romantic 32S3
Linton Ploughman 32J3
The Valentine 32S3
Joie de Vivre 32J3
The Deil Amang the Tailors 32R3

Tuesday, February 8, 2022, we danced at Dance Spot of DuPage. This week we tried 5 strathspeys to select one to send to HQ for consideration for Book 53.

Dances done:

Hello Neighbor 32J3
Shiftin’ Bobbins 32R3
73 Is the Perfect Number 32S3 (Sue dance)
A Hame in the East 32S3 (Mady dance)
23 / 7 32S3 (Sue dance)
Stormontfield 16S+16R (Mady dance)
The 18th of November 32S3 (Sue dance)

Tuesday, February 2, 2022, we danced at Dance Spot of DuPage. Noel Chávez taught the class and reviewed strathspey setting, the half strathspey poussette, and interesting reels.

Dances done:

Tuesday, January 25, 2022, we danced at Dance Spot of DuPage. This week we tried 5 reels to see if the Branch should send any to HQ for Book 53. The rest of the evening we danced Burns-themed dances for Robbie Burns.

Dances done:

Cutty Sark 32J3
The Lea Rig 32S2
Tunes of Glory 48R3 (Sue dance)
The Winding Path 32R3 (Mady dance)
Corinne’s Caper 32H3 (Sue dance)
Hooty Hollow 32R3 (Mady dance)
Super Blue Blood Moon 32R4 (set) (Sue dance)
Burns Night 32J2

Tuesday, January 18, 2022, we danced at Dance Spot of DuPage. We tried 5 jigs to see if the Branch should send one to HQ for consideration for Book 53. The rest of the evening we danced snow-themed dances for Snowman Day.

Dances done:

Snowdrops in the Glen 32R3
Snow Flurries 32S3 (set)
Grandpa Squeezebox 32J3 (Sue dance)
Remembering Ingrid 32J3 (Mady dance)
Carefree Highway 32J3 (Sue dance)
Flying Geese 32J3 (set) (Mady dance)
Four Daughters 32J4 (set) (Sue dance)
Snowdrops 32S3 (set)
Snowball Fight 32R3

Tuesday, January 11, 2022, we returned to dancing at Dance Spot of DuPage. We celebrated the arrival of the New Year with a few ‘new’-themed dances.

Dances done:

Ways in New Hall 32R3
New Year’s Eve or Off We Go 32J3
Time to Dance Again 32S3 (new Sue dance)
Fay’s New Reel 32R3
The Minister on the Loch 32S3 (set)
The Newmain Jig 32J2
Border Lassies 32J3
The New River Reel 32R3

Tuesday, December 14, 2021, we danced at Dance Spot of DuPage. We celebrated our last class of the year with holiday-themed dances and some Christmas/Holiday music.

Dances done:

The Dancing Bells 32J3
The Punch Bowl 32R3
Gifts 32S3 (set)
Mistletoe and Holly 32J3
Merry & Bright 32S3 (new Sue dance)
The Candy Cane Reel 32R3
Victoria Plums 32S4 (set)
New Year Jig 32J3
A Christmas Ceilidh 40R3

Tuesday, December 7, 2021, we danced at Dance Spot of DuPage. Noel Chávez taught the class and reviewed strathspey setting, turning 1.5 in four bars, and the geography of the quicktime poussette.

Dances done:

Saturday, December 4, 2021, we had our Fall Dance at Batavia Academy of Dance. The program included dances we’d tried in class and some old favorites. All dances were reviewed in class this Fall. The crib is available here Fall Dance_2021.

The program was:

Tuesday, November 30, 2021, we danced at Dance Spot of DuPage. We celebrated St Andrew’s Day with some dances and reviewed one dance from the Fall Dance program. We reviewed timing in grand chain and ladies’ chain.

Dances done:

* from the Fall Dance program

Tuesday, November 23, 2021, we danced at Dance Spot of DuPage. We completed working on the dances for the Fall Dance (coming up December 4th) and worked a little more on timing and anticipation. We also tried the dance Between Yews and Willows to highlight the devastating effects of and warning signs for ovarian cancer.

Dances done:

The Machine Without Horses 32J3
The Royal Deeside Railway 32R3*
Between Yews and Willows 32S3 (set)
Pelorus Jack 32J3*
Barry’s Birthday Bourrel 32S3 (new Sue dance)
Lady Susan Stewart’s Reel 32R3*
Sugar Candie 32S3

* from the Fall Dance program

Tuesday, November 16, 2021, we danced at Dance Spot of DuPage. Because the class was a small class of reasonably experienced dancers, we modified the plan on-the-fly to incorporate several 3-couple-set dances. We talked a bit about timing and anticipation.

Dances done:

Up the Pond 32J3
The Flower Lady 32S3 (set)*
The Weird Sisters 32R3 (triangle)
Broadway 32S3 (set)
The First Rain of Spring 32J3 (set)
MacDonald of the Isles 32S3 (set)
73 Is the Perfect Number 32S3 (new Sue dance)

* from the Fall Dance program

Tuesday, November 9, 2021, we danced at Dance Spot of DuPage. We worked on various forms of reels: mirror reels where the first couple starts as the middle couple in the reel, crossover mirror reels, Inveran reels, and mirror reels where the first couple starts from middle but go in opposite directions. We continued to work on dances from the Fall dance and revisited Ramadan-ce.

Dances done:

* from the Fall Dance program

Tuesday, November 2, 2021, we danced at Dance Spot of DuPage. We were privileged to have visitors from Cincinnati join us – great to see and dance with Atia and Judy! We reviewed mirror reels of 3 on the sides with an emphasis on the order of passing people in the reels and reviewed timing in poussette right round and the quicktime poussette. We also started working on dances from the upcoming Fall Dance. (See the Special Events page for details.)

Dances done:

* from the Fall Dance program

Tuesday, October 26, 2021, we danced at Dance Spot of DuPage. We celebrated the upcoming Halloween holiday with a program of all Halloween-inspired dances.

Dances done:

Tuesday, October 19, 2021, we danced at Dance Spot of DuPage. We finished going over the dances from the Milwaukee Halloween Dance Program. We reviewed set and rotate and chain progression for 2 couples and revisited a couple of dances from last week which had presented challenges.

Dances done:

Well Done Jack 32J3
Anna’s Wedding Cake 32S3 (set)
Challenge Accepted 32R2*
An Autumn Posy 32S2
The Irish Rover 32R3
Albany 32J3 (new Sue dance as revised)
The Flower Lady 32S3 (set)
Mrs MacLeod 32R3