The Dance Program for the December 3, 2006 Kickoff Celebration and Dance is a mixed format of Scottish Country Dances, Contra Dances, and a few traditional ballroom dances such as Waltzes and two steps.  Our hope is that the dance format will provide an enjoyable evening for those with little or no dance background and for those who have been dancing for several years.

The program follows and the dances require varying degrees of experience.  While some dances have been selected because they are quite basic and can be enjoyed by those with little or no experience, others are more complicated.  For this reason, we have devised a code to help you decide which dances are best suited for your level of dance skill. These codes are devised to encourage and NOT discourage you from dancing. The dances noted as "no experience necessary" will be taught and the more experienced dancers will help you through the formations.  Our hope is that everyone will want to join in on these dances!  The codes are explained in detail below.

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VERSION OF CHEAT SHEET
Please note that document includes general notes on the dance
as well as the dance notations. You may want to
pick and choose the pages you wish to print.
A detailed description of "Sailor Hector" appears at the end of the Cheat Sheet
noted above or it can also be accessed by scrolling to the bottom of this page
and clicking on "Print Friendly Verson of the Dance Sailor Hector." This dance will 
ONLY be demonstrated on December 3rd.  If interested in participating
on the demonstration team please contact the organizers at macdonaldball@aol.com

Please see "Sailor Hector" tab at left for brief history of Sailor Hector McNeill
and for print friendly version of the suite of tunes writen by John Turner.

Dance Codes Explained

N No Experience Necessary

Everyone should feel free to participate in these dances.  They are either less complicated dances or are open/free dances such as waltzes in which participants of many different levels can all dance at the same time.  All of these dances will be taught.  

B Beginner

While it is helpful to have some background in the dance form to participate in these dances, the dances themselves are not complicated.  If you can pick up formations fairly quickly you should try your hand with these. 

I Intermediate

At least one year of experience in either Scottish Country or Contra dance suggested as well as an ability to pick up new formations.


A  Advanced

Minimum of two years experience in the dance form is suggested.  These dances will be briefed only.

PLEASE NOTE: NO extra time has been allowed for the “A” dances-they will be briefed and danced. The Scottish country groups may want to review Ed Abdill’s dance “Starlight” and perhaps the other two “A” dances and of course “Sailor Hector” -- if interested in being part of the demonstration.

2:30 pm - Event starts with a dance class.
             Brief Orientation Class
             Scottish Country/Contra 
3:05 pm - Dance program begins.

               Dance                                                  Code
             Borrowdale Exchange (Ceilidh)                 N*                    
             Simplicity Swing (Contra)                        N*
             Midwest Folklore (Contra)                        B*
             Tick Tick Timing (Contra)                          I
             Waltz                                                     N
             Kendall’s Hornpipe (Scottish)                   B                    
             St. John River (Scottish)                          B
             Starlight (Scottish)                                  A
             Waltz                                                     N
             Demonstration of Sailor Hector (Scottish Hornpipe)
Scottish country dance named for Sailor Hector McNeill, the founder of Red Springs.
Check Presentation Ceremony
Intermission
Refreshments served
Second Half Begins
             Gay Gordons                                         N*                  
             TBA (Contra)                                         N*
             TBA (Contra)                                         B
             Clydebank Strathspey (Scottish)             B*
             Maxwell’s Rant (Scottish)                       I
             Pelorus Jack (Scottish)                          A
             Miss Milligan’s Strathspey (Scottish)       A
             TBA (Contra)                                         B
             Reel of the Royal Scots (Scottish)           B
             Bye bye!
Extra Contra Dances: TBA
Extra Scottish Country Dances: Irish Rover, Cumberland Reel
* Slightly extra teaching-time is allotted for these dances