Paparangi

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

1-8 First and second couples set (2), dance 4 hands across (2), set (2) and dance 4 hands across (2), but finishing in the middle with both hands joined ready for...
9-16 A Borders' Poussette. To wit (all in pas de Basque):
 9-13 All dance the first 5 bars of a standard poussette, except that the men begin on the right foot.
 14 All dancers dance a quarter turn instead of a half turn for a normal poussette. All dancers are in a line up and down the centre of the set, in order from the top, 2W, 2M, 1W, and 1M. Dancers should be careful not to be too far apart from their partners.
 15-16 All dancers cast to own sides pulling back right shoulders, as in double triangles.
17-24 The three men dance a reel of 3 on the sides, first man giving right shoulder to second man to begin, and the three women likewise, again with first lady giving right shoulder to second lady to begin. First lady will need to anticipate the entry into this reel.
25-32 The three couples dance a Wheelie Chain To wit:
 25-26 First man and second couple dance three hands across right hand half way, so that first man will be in first lady's place, second man in second lady's place, and second lady in first man's place, second lady should finish facing out and down.
Meanwhile: First lady dances likewise with third couple. First lady finishes in third man's place, third lady in second man's place, and third man in third lady's place facing out and up.
 27-28 The three men dance left hand half way across on the sides. They finish with first man in third lady's place, second man in second lady's place and third man in first lady's position. The ladies dance likewise on the men's side, finishing in order from the top, 1W, 3W, 2W. There should be no polite turns for 1W or 1M.
 29-30 First man and second couple dance three hands across right hand halfway at the foot of the set, finishing with first man in second man's place, second man in third man's place and second lady in third lady's place facing up and out. First lady and third couple dance likewise at the top finishing with third man in first man's place facing out and down, first lady in second lady's place and third lady in first lady's place.
 31-32 The three men dance three hands across half way with the left hands to finish in order 2,1,3; and similarly the women on the ladies' side.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

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

Dance Notes

As per John Drewry's instructions the Wheelie Chain should be danced in a round-ish fashion, rather than on a square.

The Wheelie Chain is due to John Drewrey in the Bankhead Book Vol. 3. Having messed up teaching "Blaven" from that book on the 8th April, particularly misinterpreting the instructions for this formation twice, I wrote the above since it seemed appropriate, and I could not get the formation out of my head.

Notes as to the origin of the Borders' Poussette can be found on Borders' Traditional.

(Dance notes by the deviser, Rod Downey)

Dance Information

The Tuesday group dance at the Paparangi School Hall, hence the name.

The recommended tune is "The Man From Skye" by Pipe Major Donald MacLeod played ABAB and my preferred recording is by Muriel Johnstone on "A Skye Collection," this being the lead tune for "Broadford Bay." This not being available, I suggest a driving real with strong 2 bar phrases.

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

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