Virginia Reel
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| Characteristics: |
Directions: |
Variations: |
| Contra Dance: Two lines, partners facing each other. |
Girls in right hand line, boys in left hand line. |
Skip instead of walk
Noted in parentheses |
Music: Order from Kimbo Educational at
http://www.kimboed.com/.
Lyrics:
Honor Your Partner
Girls curtsy, boys bow.
Everybody Forward and Back
Walk forward toward partner 4 steps, then backward 4 steps
Forward and Back, One More Time
Walk forward toward partner 4 steps, then backward 4 steps
Right to Your Partner, Round You Go
Partners join right hands (or elbows) and walk (or skip) in a circle clockwise
Left Hand Now, Don’t Be Slow
Partners join left hands (or elbows) and walk (or skip) in a circle counterclockwise
Forward, Both Hands Around
Partners join both hands and walk in a circle clockwise
Dos-A-Do Your Partner
[Place hands on opposite elbows and hold arms slightly away from body]
Walk forward, passing partner with right shoulder, making a box, return to place passing
left shoulder
Head Couple Down the Center
Head couple join hands and do 8 sliding steps to end of the line [“foot of the set”]
Get Back Home
8 sliding steps back to place
Ready Now, Cast Off
Girls turn to right and lead their line to foot of the set
Boys turn right and lead their line to foot of the set
Ladies Right, Gents Left
Continue “cast off” step
Head Couple Form and Arch
Head couple joins hands and form an arch
Join Hands Passing Through
With second couple leading, they join hands and go under arch.
When through the arch, join hands and side-step back to position.
Second couple is now the head couple.
Everybody Forward and Back, etc.
Repeat
Article reprinted from November 1997
NTA Newsletter
VIRGINIA REEL
One of the oldest dances enjoyed in the New World by the colonists (and it just might
be the oldest) is the 'Virginia Reel'. The dance was first published in England in 1685 by
Sir Roger De Coverly. The Virginia Reel was named after our own beautiful state. Now
whether it originated here or in England, we are not sure and it really doesn't matter.
What matters is that it had been enjoyed since colonial times both here in the US and
around the world.
Movie makers have chosen the Virginal Reel more than any other dance when the script
called for a dance to be portrayed. Versions of the Virginal Reel can be seen in scores of
movies depicting the colonial period in American history on through the great movement to
settle the west and even movies depicting today's country settings.
There are many variations of the dance, some are very simple and some are more
complicated; however, all are enjoyable. Several versions of this dance have been
performed in Great Britain and here at home. As country/western dancing many times sets a
hoe-down atmosphere, dancers of this caliber are enjoying a new popularity. This version
has been submitted by Dick & Geneva Matteis - they would love to have other
versions of this dance.
FORMATION: Two lines of couples, partners facing each other with 5-7 feet
between the lines. The lines have a head and a foot with the head couple being the nearest
the band or music source and the foot couple at the other end of the line. This dance is
best executed with not more than six couples in each set.
STEP: The step is a light walk on the toes or balls of the feet.
CALLS: The following numbered calls are given by the leader for beginners, or
where there are several sets, in order that all may keep together.
MUSIC: Choose lively old time reel music such as 'Durang's Hornpipe' or 'Old Zip
Coon" or you may wish to use newer music such as a selection from the Atlanta Pops album,
Hooked on Country.
PART 1 - THE TURN
- Head lady and foot gentleman forward and back.
(Honor your partner.)
The head lady and the foot man advance diagonally toward each other four steps, curtsey
and bow, and retire four steps backward into place. The head man and foot lady do
likewise immediately.
- Forward and turn with the right hand round.
The head lady and the foot man advance, join left hands (shoulder high), make one
complete turn and return to places. The head man and foot lady do the same.
- Forward again with the left hand round.
The head lady and foot man advance, join both hands straight across and make one
complete turn, then return to places. The head man and foot lady do the same.
- Do-Si-Do
(pronounced dough-see-dough)
The head lady and foot man advance, pass each other right shoulder to right shoulder,
and without turning, go around each other back to back and retire backwards to places.
The head man and foot lady do the same. Repeat the Do-si-do by left shoulder.
- Head couple down the centre and back.
The head couple join both hands and chasse (side slip and close) down inside of the
lines four steps and return to the head position.
PART 2 - THE REEL
- Right arm to partner and reel.
(Right to centre, left to the side.)
The head couple link arms and turn one and a half around. (This leaves the lady backing
the men's line and the man facing the ladies line). The head lady turns the second man
in line around in his place with left arms linked, while the head man does likewise with
the second lady in line. Head couple then return to the middle and turn to each other
again with right arms linked. To teach the reel, it is sometimes helpful for the leader
to call, "Right to the centre, left to the side').
This is continued, each swinging the next in line until they reach the foot of the
lines, where they swing each other half way around with right arms linked, so that the
lady finished on her own side and the man on the men's side.
The head couple then join hands across and chasse (side slip and close) with side steps
back to the head position of the set. They drop hands and turn out ready for the march.
PART 3 - THE MARCH
- The head couple separate.
The man turning out and marching toward the foot directly behind the men's line,
followed by the men in single file, and the head lady at the same time marching down the
outside of the lady's line followed by all the ladies in single file. Then the head
couple meet at the head of the set, followed by the other couples. When all have reached
their original places, all the partners, except the head couple, join hands and hold
them high to form a long archway under which the head couple, with hands joined, side
step quickly to the foot, where they remain. The original second couple now become head
couple and the whole pattern is repeated until all have been head couple.
VARIATIONS:
When the head couple reach the foot of the set, they stop, join both hands to form an arch
while the couples who are behind them join hands and go under the arch and up the centre
toward the head position. This leaves the original head couple at the foot and the second
couple now becomes the head couple.
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