The Blue Mess Jacket
Scottish Country Dance Instruction
THE BLUE MESS JACKET (S4x32) 4C set Douglas Henderson Kinclaven Pocket Book1- 8 2s followed by 1s lead down the middle, 1s cross and cast up to top and curve in to end BtoB facing 2s who have danced back to place
9-16 The Spurtle:
9-12 1s dance ½ RSh reel of 4 with 2s and turn RH to face 3s (M facing L)
13-16 Repeat with 3s but end facing 4s
17-20 Repeat with 4s
21-24 1s continue turn to end in 4th place opposite sides and all set. (2)(3)(4)(1)
25-32 All Petronella to centre and set, Petronella to own sides and set. 2341
(MINICRIB. Dance crib compiled by Charles Upton, Deeside Caledonian Society, and his successors)
The Blue Mess Jacket
Douglas Henderson Kinclaven Book
Strathspey 4 x 32 bars 4 Couple Repeat 4 Couple Set Longwise 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 on opposite sides WHILE 1s turn by the right halfway, progressing down the set to finish on the centre line between 3s, 1M above 1L, Mn facing Ls;
13-16 1s3s dance the spurtle, 3s finishing in 2nd place on opposite sides, 1s between 4s;
17-20 1s4s dance the spurtle, 4s finishing in 3rd place on opposite sides, 1s retaining hold on the centre line in 4th position, 1M above 1L;
21-22 1s turn by the right 1¼ times 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 Notes
7-8 The awkward finish for 1M can be eased by his dancing above 1L's place before dancing in and pulling left shoulder back.
21-22 1s must take care over the phrasing, turning quite quickly to finish in the sidelines ready for setting in the following 2 bars.
Keith Rose's Crib Diagrams
Dance Instruction Videos
The Blue Mess Jacket - Scottish Country Dancing Instruction VideoDance 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.
Blue Mess Jacket - Information Video
Three Canadian Officers In Shawl Or Rolled Collar Jacket And Waistcoat Style Mess Dress Or Mess Kit
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Text from this original Mess dress article on Wikipedia.
Image from Glenlarson, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
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