strathspey@strathspey.org:63994

Robert Lambie

RE: re Open Meeting in Edinburgh!Q!

April 24, 2013, 12:53 a.m. (Message 63994)

I wonder how many of the responders have ventured at all into the rest
of the world of Country Dancing? I agree with you that RSCDS style is
very enjoyable - it is what I do more than any other. BUT I am also
aware that it feels remarkably narrow, or perhaps "thin" is a better
description, than the experience of those who dance the full range. I
like triple time dances, a variety of footwork, putting in "cuts" ( as
described by Dickens in his "A Christmas Carol", in Country dancing
before it was nationalised), and generally following the description
in "the Art of Dancing" by Soame Jenyns as best I can; but all this as
well as RSCDS.My view point is much the same as the people who wanted
to dance Mairi's Wedding to the intense disapproval of the RSCDS,
which I remember well. New dances were totally banned from RSCDS
programmes, unless given special permission - such as Robertson Rant,
and Reel of 51st.AND yes, when I dance at EDFSS style dances, I desire
to get nearer to baroque technique/RSCDS technique - unless I am tired
or my feet hurt!I don't have any desire to REPLACE the Milligan style,
but to be less fixated on that as the only possible one, exactly as is
expressed in "the Art of Dancing", to choose whatever is appropriate
for the circumstances and the dance.I will shortly be going to Mull to
dance EFDSS style for a week, but it will include some RSCDS, Contra,
Square, and possibly others that I wot not of! The full Monty - great!
> 
> "Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it’s time to pause
> and reflect." - Mark Twain
>