Pillings vs descriptions unbriefed

Graham Mackenzie

Message 10533 · 3 Feb 1998 12:10:42 · Fixed-width font · Whole thread

At 23:02 2/2/98 -0500, Ron Macnaughton wrote:
>I'm preparing for the Toronto Tartan Ball which will be on Feb. 14. It's
>always a classy affair in the elegant Royal York Hotel. (For info email
>xxxxx@xxxx.xx.xxxxxx.xxxx.xx, $65 Canadian).
>
>I've heard that dancing unbriefed dances (and getting hanged in the morning)
>tends to focus the mind.
>
>I'm reviewing the dances, pacing paths on my livingroom floor.
>
>I find it helps me to look at both the descriptions in the briefing book and
>the Pillings version of the dance. The Pillings diagram of Swiss Lassie
>gives a better general view, while the description has the fine details
>such as dance towards each other to begin.
>
>Just before ther music starts, this visual learner finds it most useful to
>glance at the Pillings version.
>
>By the way do many other branches have Balls with unbriefed dances? I
>rather like the idea.
>
>Ron Macnaughton
>Bolton Ontario

Where have I been all my life? In this area not only the formal Balls
(RSCDS or other), but even the small Friday/Saturday night dances, are
normally done without recaps/briefings - unless an organizer puts a new
dance on the program and thinks most people won't know it. Hence Pilling
(or equivalent personal collections of dances) are not only desirable but
essential. I should occasionally love the luxury of not having to spend an
hour beforehand boning up on the moves, and in the end getting confused on
the floor!

(Graham Mackenzie
Doocot Lodge, 7 Doocot Road,
St Andrews, Fife, Scotland, KY16 8QP.
Telephone: 01334 - 475604)