Ithaca Reel

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

1- 2 First and second men and first and second women change places with right hands.
3- 4 Second and first couples dance right hands across half-way round.
5- 6 First, second and third couples cross over giving right hands.
7- 8 First, second and third couples set with nearer hands joined on the sides.
9-12 First woman dances a "Petronella" turn to finish in the middle in second place facing second woman then dances a "Petronella" turn to finish in third woman's place
while
second man dances a "Petronella" turn to finish facing first man then dances a "Petronella" turn to finish in first woman's place
while
third man dances a "Petronella" turn to finish facing third woman then dances a "Petronella" turn to finish in second man's place
while
first man and second and third women set twice.
13-14 First, second and third couples set with nearer hands joined on the sides.
15-16 First couple dance "Petronella" turns to finish back to back in the middle with first man facing up and first woman facing down
while
second man dances a "Petronella" turn to finish in first man's place facing down
while
second woman dances a "Petronella" turn to finish in first woman's place facing down
while
third couple dance "Petronella" turns to finish in original places facing up.
17-24 First, second and third couples dance Double Triangles facing up and down the set. On bars 23-24 first couple dance out to own sides in second place. On bar 24 second man and third woman turn to face across the set.
25-28 First couple dance half rights and lefts on the diagonal with second man and third woman - first woman and second man and first man and third woman changing places with right hands to begin
while
second woman and third man dance clockwise half-way round the outside.
Second man and third woman finish facing out.
29-32 First couple dance half rights and lefts on the diagonal with second woman and third man - first woman and second man and first man and third woman changing places with right hands to begin
while
second man and third woman dance counter clockwise half-way round the outside.

Repeat having passed a couple.

(Dance crib compiled by the deviser Rod Downey, Johnsonville SCD Club Tutor)

Dance Instruction Videos

Dance Information

Ithaca is a town in upstate New York, home to Cornell University, where Kristin and I danced with the local group many years ago.

Given to the dance group at Cornell University, I wrote this for them as they were young, and loved complicated, vigorous and energetic dances.

Suitable music - "Ye're Welcome, Charly Stuart" recorded by Colin Finlayson and his Scottish Dance Band on "Music For Twelve Scottish Country Dances Book 7" (RSDCS 9), side 1, track 6 or "Ye're Welcome, Charlie Stuart" recorded by The Berkeley Scottish Players on "None So Pretty" (Cabbage Records 405), side 2, track 2.

(Dance information from The Cane Toad Collection Of Scottish Country Dances, reproduced here with the kind permission of the deviser, Rod Downey)

The area was originally inhabited by the Cayuga people, part of the Iroquois Confederacy. European contact began in the 17th century, with Jesuit missionaries arriving in 1657. The city was named after the Greek island of Ithaca.

Ithaca is home to Cornell University, an Ivy League institution founded in 1865, and Ithaca College, established in 1892. The presence of these institutions contributes significantly to the city's economy and cultural life.

The city's economy is primarily driven by education, agriculture, technology, and tourism. The region hosts about 60 small farms and has a history of dairy production. Tourism is bolstered by natural attractions such as Buttermilk Falls State Park and Taughannock Falls State Park.

Ithaca is known for its walkability. In 2009, it had the highest percentage of commuters walking to work in the United States at 15.1%. The city is served by Ithaca Tompkins International Airport, which underwent a $34.8 million renovation in 2019 to expand its facilities.

The Ithaca Commons is a two-block pedestrian mall in the downtown area, featuring shops, restaurants, and public art. It hosts several annual events, including the Ithaca Festival and the Apple Harvest Festival.

Historic districts in the city include the East Hill Historic District and the Ithaca Downtown Historic District, both listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

As of 2023, the Ithaca metropolitan area has a population of approximately 103,000 people. The city itself covers an area of about 5.39 square miles.

Tioga Street, Ithaca, New York

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