strathspey@strathspey.org:27557

e.ferguson

RE: Miss Gibson's Strathspey

Sept. 27, 2001, 4:49 p.m. (Message 27557)

On 26 Sep 2001, at 21:14, Patricia Ruggiero wrote:

> <..<peep>..>  I would like to know what folks think about "staying
> in the middle" as the 1st Cpl finishes corner-partner turns
> before dancing three-hands-across with the supporting couples. 
> I find it satisfying to finish the left-hand turn with my
> partner at the set lines and then surge forward toward the 2d
> cpl for the hands across figure; staying in the center defeats
> this, to my mind. 

> I should add here that I don't have the original/official
> instructions for this dance; <...> 
====================
The original instructions (Pocket Book 32+Leaflets, p. 41) say:

17-24  1st couple turn first corners ..... (etc) .... and partner 
with left hands, finishing ready for

25-28  Right Hands across, 1st man with 3rd couple ...<etc>..., 
passing right shoulders into  ... 
=========================
Our cherished "Blue Manual" says:

24      1st couple stay in the centre of the set at the end of the 
left hand turn ready to dance right hands across.

28      Similarly, 1st couple pass R shoulders in the centre of the 
set to dance left hands across.  They do not dance out to the 
sidelines.  
========================
TACnotes says:

23-24  !st cpl dance a wide, three-quarters LH turn & flow into RH 
across on bar 25

and adds

28  As 1st cpl pass R shldrs, 2nd and 3rd cpl turn inwards ready to 
give LH.  Do not dance out to sidelines.

Each group can of course make its 
own choices, but if you wish to accept any of these "RSCDS 
authorities" I fear that your "surge" stands defeated.
Eric  
Eric T. Ferguson, van Dormaalstraat 15, NL-5624 KH  EINDHOVEN, Netherlands
tel: (+31)(0)40-243 2878 fax:40-246 7036  e-mail: x.xxxxxxxx@xxxxxxx.xx