The Blue Mess Jacket

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

THE BLUE MESS JACKET (S4x32) 4C set D Henderson Kinclaven Bk

1- 8 2s followed by 1s lead down the middle, 1s cross and cast up to top and turn in to face 2s who have danced back to place
9-16 1s dance ½ reel of 4 with 2s and ½ turn partner RH to face 3s, 1s dance ½ reel of 4 with 3s and ½ turn partner RH to face 4s
17-24 1s dance ½ reel of 4 with 4s and ½ turn RH, continue turn to end in 4th place opposite sides and all set
25-32 All Petronella to centre and set, Petronella to own sides and set

(MINICRIB, Dance crib compiled by Charles Upton. Deeside Caledonian Society.)

The Blue Mess Jacket
D Henderson   Kinclaven Book
Strathspey   4 x 32 bars   4 Couple Repeat   4 Couple Set   Lengthwise Set

1-4      2s followed by 1s lead down below 4s;
5-8      2s lead up to place WHILE 1s cross, cast to the top and meet in the centre, finishing between 2s, Mn facing Ls;
9-12    1s2s dance the spurtle:
9-10    2M1L1M2L start a half reel of 4 across;
11-12  2s complete the half reel of 4 across, finishing in 1st place WHILE 1s turn by the right halfway, progressing down the set to finish between 3s, Mn facing Ls;
13-16  1s3s dance the spurtle, 3s finishing in 2nd place, 1s between 4s;
17-20  1s4s dance the spurtle, 4s finishing in 3rd place, 1s as at bar 16, retaining hold;
21-22  1s turn by the right halfway to finish in 4th place, all on opposite sides;
23-24  all set on the sides;
25-28  all petronella turn and set;
29-32  all petronella turn and set, finishing 2s3s4s1s.

(MAXICRIB, Scottish country dancing instructions compiled by Reuben Freemantle.)

Dance Information

Class of uniform, in order; dress, full dress, mess dress and special evening dress.

Mess dress is the military term for the formal evening dress worn in the mess or at other formal occasions, also known as mess uniform and mess kit. This style of military dress is largely restricted to the British, Commonwealth of Nations and United States armed forces.

Mess uniforms first appeared in the British Army in about 1845. The original purpose was to provide a relatively comfortable and inexpensive alternative to the stiff and elaborate full dress uniforms then worn by officers for evening social functions such as regimental dinners or balls.

Three Canadian Officers In Shawl Or Rolled Collar Jacket And Waistcoat Style Mess Dress Or Mess Kit

Dance Information licensed under this Creative Commons Licence.
Text from this original Mess dress article on Wikipedia.
Image by G. Larson.

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