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THE ECLECTIC CALLER
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ANNA MARIA ©Bernard Bentley
This Bentley version is a variation on Budd 1781 - which is not the same as Young 1721.
Three couple longways – standard progression
3x32 bar reel (“Anna Maria”- anne skinner variation)
[] 1st man sets twice to 2nd lady; these two two-hand turn
[] 1st couple lead down and up, cross & cast to middle place
[] Lines foot it twice; same three circle left
[] Right-hand turn partner; 1st couple cast to bottom & left-hand turn halfway WHILE others left-hand turn partner
There are two tracks for this on the CD - the second is for the variation by anne & sibby which has a 10-bar phrase to begin followed by 8-bar phrases for the rest of the turn.
[10] 1st man sets twice to partner, honour and two-hand turn
[ 8] 1st couple lead down 2 places and up 2 places, cross & cast to middle place
[ 8] Lines foot it twice; same three circle left
[ 8] Right-hand turn partner; 1st couple cast to bottom & left-hand turn halfway WHILE others left-hand turn partner.
APPLE MINT (anne skinner 2020)
square set - no progression
4x32 bar reel (green apple quickstep - portland selection)
[] Grand Square (leading couple and opposites leading in to start)
[] Leading couple and opposites Ladies’ Chain halfway,
set & star through
[] dip & dive halfway
(leading couple start going under opposites arch)
[] Leading couple & opposites Ladies’ Chain halfway & star through & fall back
WHILE other couples promenade halfway & swing
sequence: each couple leads in turn
BARRY’S BOUTADE ©sibby
longways 3 couples
16 bar march (WIDE GLIDE: barry’s boutade ©chris carpenter)
[] Grimstock Hey
[] Dip & Dive
[] Two-hand Cascade (Four moves)
[] Swing Partner
Cascade: Top couple chasse down as others move up; then new top couple; then new top couple; then (original) top couple
BOATMAN (john playford 1650)
3 couple longways - no progression
3x32 bar jig (boatman; south benfleet ©anne skinner)
running step throughout
FIRST PART
[] Lead up a double & fall back; set & turn single
[] Repeat
[] 1st couple & 2nd man hey 4 changes (start 1st lady & second man) WHILE 3rd couple & 2nd lady same (start 2nd woman & 3rd man);
all turn partner to finish improper
[] Hey again (2nd man with 3rd couple, 2nd lady with 1st couple);
all turn partner to original places
SECOND PART
[] Sides all; set & turn single
[] Repeat
[] 1st couple & 2nd man circle left halfway to a line facing down (2nd man in centre) WHILE others same (2nd lady in centre), fall back 2 steps then forward 2 steps;
Ends turn once WHILE 2s turn once-and-a-quarter (all improper)
[] 2s switch & repeat (all end home)
THIRD PART
[] Arm right; set & turn single
[] Arm left; set & turn single
[] 1st & 3rd men & 2nd lady circle round 2nd man to place;
2nd man turns his partner
[] 1st & 3rd lady & 2nd man circle round 2nd lady to place;
2nd man turns his partner
During the pandemic lockdown in 2021, Sibby was invited to call his dance “Benfleet Boatman” on Zoom for the Victorian Folk Music Club in Australia. Anne recorded the tune and added her own composition entitled South Benfleet - dedicated to VFMC. The dance “The Boatman” was interpreted by Cecil Sharp and included in The Country Dance Book part 4.
CROWN OF ROSES ©Peter Nixon 2019
Peter wanted to devise a dance for his wife’s special birthday. One of Lyn’s favourite pieces of music is “Crown of Roses” by Tchaikovsky and Peter asked Anne to make a suitable arrangement and recording.
2 couples, becket formation
4 x 16 Tchaikovsky arr. Anne Skinner (4 bars Introduction)
I 1 – 8 Circle R then L,
9 – 12 Men cross, ladies cross,
13 – 16 2 changes, partner first;
II 1 – 8 Partners turn out, take inside hands, move out, turn solo and return,
9 – 16 Neighbours turn out, take inside hands, move out turn solo and return;
III 1 – 8 Side R with partner, L with neighbour,
9 – 16 Men slow L allemande, picking up partner with other hand, once round then partner on to her place;
IV 1 – 8 Arm R with partner, L with neighbour,
9 – 16 Women slow allemande R, picking up partner with other hand, once round then partner on to his place. Honour.
DAFFODILS ©dave kerridge
4 couple longways - standard progression
4x32 bar waltz (freda’s waltz ©dave kerridge)
[] End couples right-hand turn partners; in fours, star left
[] In same fours, circle right, balance forward & back & turn single
[] In same fours, 1st corners cross then 2nd corners cross;
all 8 circle left halfway
[] Bottom couple lead to top WHILE others cast down one place as passed (timing casts to finish at same time);
all two-hand turn partners
GRIM GODDESSES ©sibby 2021
3 couple longways - standard progression
3x32 bar reel (medley: grimstock/goddesses - arr. anne skinner)
[] grimstock hey
[] all cast down then cast up
[] 1st couple cross & cast one place, cross & cast to bottom
[] lines fall back, go forward a double; set & turn single
HARBOUR’S ALLEMANDE (melusine wood 1960)
square set - no progression
64 bar reel (harbour’s allemande)
[] Circle left
[] continue circle left
[] Head couples go forward a double & rigaudon step;
pass through & rigaudon step facing out
[] Side couples do the same
[] Promenade one position around the square & rigaudon step; Repeat
[] Chasse past partner (lady behind man) & rigaudon step;
Repeat (man behind lady) & rigaudon step
[] Pass corner (give right hand), with next tulloch turn left then right;
Pass this one & turn the next
[] Continue thus to home places
HARBOUR’S ALLEMANDE (melusine wood 1960)
longways duple minor - double progression
7x32 bar reel (harbour’s allemande)
[] 1s tulloch turn (left) & lead down 2 places
[] then lead up to home position & cast down 1 place
[] then tulloch turn (left) & lead down 2 places
[] then cast up one place & two-hand turn
from “Advanced Historical Dances”; these are dated 1784
HEAVEN-HAVEN ©sibby 2004
Longways – 3 couples - standard progression
3x32 bar march (heaven-haven ©david pattenden)
A1
Top man changes with middle lady, giving right hand, then with bottom lady, giving left hand;
Then bottom (3rd) man changes with middle lady (his partner), giving right hand, then with top lady, giving left hand.
(Set now alternate man-lady in circle)
A2
Grand chain 3 changes (men anti-clockwise, ladies clockwise) and two-hand turn the next person.
B1
Circle 6 to the left (until all opposite own partner, in longways set, with middle couple improper);
Back-to-back right shoulder with partner
B2
Middle couple cross up as top couple cast down into symmetrical reels of three on the sides.
I DANCED IN THE MORNING ©Peter Nixon 2019
Three couple circle – no progression
3x32 bar hornpipe (“Lord of the Dance”)
[] Leading couple split & divide nearer pair, continue around outside to meet, lead through back to place & turn single away.
[] Left-hand turn corner; right-hand turn partner
[] Grand Chain halfway; left-hand turn partner
[] Promenade home & honour partner
Peter Nixon (v.Crown of Roses) asked Anne to record “Shaker’s Hymn”.for a 3x32 bar dance. As the tune is 16-bar length, the recording needed to be 6 times through.
Anne recorded the piano accompaniment first, then the tune on flute. To add variety, Anne then recorded a second flute track starting with improvised harmonies in major and minor keys. Then came contrapuntal strains of “Rochdale Coconut Dance”, “Early One Morning” and “Rakes of Mallow”. The resultant final meddling medley suggested another Sibby dance - see “Meddling”
INDIAN RIVER WALTZ sibby 2022
(variation of INDIAN RIVER STRATHSPEY devised by george senyk)
music: danbury palace
3 couples in circle (or triangle)
[] 1s separate & dance figure eight through nearer side couples
[] 1s cross for handy-hand teapots with other side couple, then switch
[] 1s set & lead down & cast home WHILE sides ladies' chain
[] All circle left 2/3 then two-hand turn partners.
LA VERDURE (willsem 1755)
Longways triple minor - standard progression
9x32 bar reel (la verdure; netherwyke green ©anne skinner
[] Top 2 couples forward to partner & turn away from neighbour;
1s lead up & back WHILE 2s lead down & back
[] Same couples do-si-do as couples
(1st man & 2nd lady pass right shoulders to start)
[] 1s down outside to middle;
two-hand turn 1st corners and turn single halfway
[] 1s pass by left shoulder, divide end couples & cast left to middle places and two-hand turn
from “English Dances for the Dutch Court” interpreted by Hendrickson
For a 3-couple variation, see “Netherwyke Green”
LACEMAKER (geoffrey mendham 1974)
Three couple longways (middle couple improper)
[] Top couple weave to bottom (start between middle couple) & swing up to top.
[] Bottom couple weave up & swing down
[] Lock-chain-swing 4 changes (top couple start with partner; others start with neighbour) - with stamps or claps after each progression
[] ---
[] Six-hand star right then left
LAUGHING ALL THE WAY devised by anne skinner 2022
Longways Duple Improper - standard progression
32 bar reel (“Jingle Bells”)
[] Lines go forward & back; Do-si-do partner
[] Right-hand star; Left-hand star
[] Full pousette clockwise
[] Balance the ring, circle left halfway; swing partner
MEDDLING ©sibby 2019
Three couple longways (middle couple improper)
– standard progression
3x32 bar hornpipe (“Lord of the Dance”)
[] Middle dancers go to their left for reels of three across the ends
[] Middle dancers go to their right for three-handed stars (right) at ends; Then they cross for three-handed stars (left) at other end
[] All pass through and form lines of 3 (facing out) for half-dixie-twirl*; Repeat
[] Top 2 couples half-rights & lefts WHILE bottom couple right-hand turn; Bottom 2 couples half-rights & lefts WHILE top couple right-hand turn
*Dixie Twirl:
Dancer at top end of line curls to pop under arch made by middle and bottom (who also curl)
Line ends facing in with end dancers having changed places.
NETHERWYKE GREEN ©sibby 2021
3 couple longways - progression from 123 to 321
32 bar reel (netherwyke green ©anne skinner; la verdure)
[] Top 2 couples advance to meet, then turn to face away from neighbour; 1s lead up & down WHILE 2s lead down and loop to 3rd place AND 3s cast to middle
[] 1s & 3s do-si-do as couples
[] 1s cast to middle & handy turn bottom neighbour then handy turn top neighbour
[] Hey on own side, start with 1s going between bottom couple
Variation on “La Verdure” (willsem)
NOEL SUISSE
(Anne Skinner - second version)
Longways 3 couples - standard progression; 2nd couple improper
3x36 bar jig © 2022
First turn:
[8] Lead up a double and fall back; set & turn single
[8] Repeat
[8] Top lady zig-zags down (start left-hand); top man same (start right-hand)
[4] Lines fall back, forward a double
[8] Do-si-do; two-hand turn
Second turn:
In-line sidings right & left instead of lead up
Third turn:
Arm right & left instead of lead up
PERSONAL PLAYFORD ©sibby
We know the Dancing Master included a singing call (Mr Lane’s magot - first published 1695), and a dance for punks (Punk’s Delight - first published 1651)- so maybe the 17th century dancing masters also invented line dance. This resurrection by sibby of such a dance was useful during the covid lockdown as it maintained social distancing.
solo dancers - 4 wall line dance
6x16 bar reel (“Anna Maria” - anne skinner variation)
[] Dance up a double, fall back; set & turn single
[] Slip left 2 steps, right 2 steps;
stamp right, left, right, left, clap twice and jump
turning to the right (1/4 turn)
RABBITS (peggy hazell 1981)
When Anne came across this dance, she asked for her recording of “Leah” (composed for a dearly-missed bunny) to be edited from 40 bars to 32 bars.
Longways set for four couples - standard progression - 4x32 bar jig
[] Do-si-do partners; middle couples cross with partners and cast to nearer ends
[] Repeat
[] Top couple cross & cast to bottom & form arch WHILE others follow and lead up (NB they cross when they reach the top)
[] All swing
REINDEER DANCE (anne skinner 2021)
Square set - Corner progression
4x32 bar reel |(rudolph - anne skinner recording)
[] Head couples forward a double & set to opposites; two-hand hold with opposite & slide out between nearer Side couple, all turn to face
[] In those fours, star right & left
[] Heads lead back in to centre, fall back to place with Partner; all do-si-do Partner
[] Ladies in to centre, turn to their right & out to Corner (progression); all swing
<sequence>Heads twice, Sides twice.
SIBBIJIG (c)sibby 2021
3 couple longways - progression 123
3x32 bar jig (sibbijig (c)anne skinner)
[] 1st couple cross & cast to 2nd place; all pass through, end trade to waves
[] balance, left-hand ends gate middles 3/4; active dancers go to right for half-hey along the lines
[] all set & turn single; circle left half-way
[] do-si-do; two-hand turn
ST EDITH'S SQUARE (anne skinner 2022)
Square set - Corner progression
4x48 bar reel (Cousteau Reel - Anne Skinner)
[] With partner, do-si-do & see-saw
[] Four star ladies' chain (full)
[] Heads forward & back, then cross (1s arch) and turn as couples
[] Sides same (2s arch)
[] Circle left halfway; swing partner
[] Balance & swing Corner (to man's home)
ST PETER'S CHAINS (sibby 2022)
Square set - Corner progression
4x48 bar reel (seven o'clock swing - Anne Skinner)
[] In circle, forward & back; circle left halfway
[] Flutter-chain*
[] Set & turn single; begin grand chain
[] Complete grand chain; gypsy with partner
[] Corner allemande left & promenade to man's home (progression)
[] Balance & swing
<sequence> Heads lead twice, then Sides lead twice
*Flutter-chain: Four ladies star right into - Leaders flutter-wheel WHILE others Ladies Chain then Leaders Ladies Chain WHILE others flutter-wheel
TRIP TO TUNBRIDGE (preston)
3 couple longways - standard progression
3x32 bar jig (trip to tunbridge)
[] 1st couple cast to bottom, “take a peek” and cast up to place
[] 1st couple lead down, turn & skip up to place & cast to middle
[] 1st couple pass by right shoulder & right-hand turn 1st corner;
then pass by right shoulder & right-hand turn 2nd corner
[] 1st couple pass by right shoulder to lines of 3 facing out, lead out & fall back & turn to face partners;
1st couple cast to bottom
WHILE 2nd couple two-hand turn
WHILE 3rd couple lead up to middle place.
[] 1s separate & dance figure eight through nearer side couples
[] 1s cross for handy-hand teapots with other side couple, then switch
[] 1s set & lead down & cast home WHILE sides ladies' chain
[] All circle left 2/3 then two-hand turn partners.
WIDFORD WALTZ (c)sibby 2022
Longways set for 3 couples (2s improper)
3x28 bar waltz (+extra 4 bars final turn)
(widford waltz (c)anne skinner)
[] do-si-do; lines slide left, then right
[] see-saw; line slide right, then left
[] Ladies cast one lady's place anti-clockwise; Men cast one man's place clockwise
[] (4 bars) two-hand turn.
FINAL TURN: (extra 4 bars) partners step-and-honour right & left
Version 2: 3x32 bar: include the step-and-honour every turn.