Let's write an Xmarks dance

[Panache]

More power to everyone. I much prefer the partner dances as opposed to the group dances. I like keeping my arms around the lady for the whole dance.

Dave,

You are missing out. With the right Scottish country dance one can flirt with up to 5 different people per dance.

Cheers

Jamie

[MartinGrenoble]

Only five?

Martin

[davedove]

Dave,

You are missing out. With the right Scottish country dance one can flirt with up to 5 different people per dance.

Cheers

Jamie

Oh you married men and your limited flirting, one cannot properly flirt in such a limited time. That's why there are multiple dances, so you can give your undivided flirting attention to one person for the length of a song, then move on.

Seriously though, I have no problem with group dances and will dance them at times; they're just not my preference.

[Panache]

Only five?

Martin

Martin,

I didn't want to intimidate Dave

Cheers

Jamie

[londonpiper]

It has taken me over 2 years of classes to not break out in a cold sweat at the mention of reels!

don't worry Oh F-H.C.A.G. As they're reels of four, just remember left in the middle and right at the ends and you won't go far wrong

I expect the above dance is much easier to do than read though, as most are.

Yes, it is easier to do, and great fun too!!

[Arlen]

I'm a little late on this, but I am going to have a go at writing one in the next few days.
I'm also working on one for our dance class as we're having a competition right now. (Best submitted dances get put into our tenth anniversary dance book.)

I think a wee pack of Xmarks dances would be fantastic!

[londonpiper]

Well, since you asked, o Piper (and to show I am not against the idea, even if my previous post was rather negative) ...

The X reel, for 4 couples in a longway set.

1-8 : All take hands on sides (of the saltire) and set, then 2nd & 3rd cps cross over and cast to nearer ends in 4 steps to form lines across (ends of the saltire), and all set facing up/down.

9-16 : All advance and retire, then 2nd & 3rd cps dance Right Hands across.

17-24 : Keeping RH joined in the centre, 2nd & 3rd cps join LH with corner persons, and all set (X), turn corners halfway with LH, all set (X) again, then turn corners once round in two steps.

25-28 : 2nd & 3rd cps dance half way round anti-clockwise to own sides, while 1st & 4th cps dance 4 hands round in the centre (the Spot?).
29-32 : 1st cp, turn inward to dance up and cast off into 2nd place, while 4th cp turn inward to dance down and cast up inyo 3rd place.

Repeat from new positions.

How about that to add to the list?
Martin

Martin, this sounds great. I'd hoped to try out at least some of the other dances on this post on Wednesday with the Uni group but we spent most of the evening working on a highland demo for our ball next year so didn't have time or energy. I'm hoping to be able to give it a go before Xmas though.

[Kiltman]

Our instructor's husband had to go to the ER. Maybe next week we'll dance it.
PS his OK just a shoulder problem and a lot of pain.

[MartinGrenoble]

I'd hoped to try out at least some ... but we spent most of the evening...

How nice it would be to plan an evening's program!
But, no, something always happens to stop one from doing the dances one intended to do. My usual problem at this time of year, when the dance hall is too cold for comfort, is finding dances that keep everyone moving, not just 4-couple sets. Can't have half a dozen people sitting out. In fact, as we are never either 8 nor 16, we have to improvise and adapt quite a lot, and the 4-couple dances are pushed aside in favour of 5-, 6-, and 7-couple arrangements.
My other problem is teaching a group whose former teacher still attends and "suggests" this dance or that, never mind whether I know it or not!

Back to the dance I submitted: it has been tried, and it works.

Martin