Short And Very Sweet

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

1- 8 1s dance Figs of 8 on sides (dance between 2s to start) giving hands
9-16 1s+2s+3s dance reels of 3 on sides (1s dance between 2s to start)
17-24 1s+2s dance double Fig of 8 (2s casting to start)
25-32 1L+2L turn LH 1½ times while 1M+2M turn RH 1½ times, 1L+3L turn RH 1½ times while 1M+3M turn LH 1½ times

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

1-8 First couple dance figures of eight on the sides, giving hands as appropriate, dancing in front of the second couple, behind the third couple then returning in front of the third couple and behind the second couple. First couple finish facing down.
9-16 First, second and third couples dance reels of three on the sides. First couple dance down between second couple, second couple dance out and up and third couple dance in and up to begin. First couple finish facing down while second couple finish in original places facing up.
17-24 First and second couples dance a double figure of eight across the dance, giving hands. To begin, first couple cross down and second couple continue the reel movement to dance out and up into the figure. At the end, first couple finish facing in and second couple finish facing out.
25-28 First woman and second woman turn one and a half times with the left hand, first woman finish facing out.
while First man and second man turn one and a half times with the right hand, with first man finishing facing out.
29-32 First woman and third woman turn one and a half time with the right hand.
while First and third men turn one and a half times with the left hand.

Repeat with a new top couple.

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

Keith Rose's Crib Diagrams

Short And Very Sweet - Full Size And Key To Symbols

Dance Instruction Videos

Dance Information

In 2003, Isla Norris, one of our longstanding members turned 90. I had wanted to write a dance for her, but something only came to mind a bit later. I had toyed with several names. "The New Dancers Friend" was one I would like to mention, since she has helped countless new dancers (such as I) down through the years. The other was "Eric's Fancy" to match the dance ("Isla's Fancy") I once wrote for her husband Eric Norris.

Short And Very Sweet seemed most appropriate since Isla is, indeed, both short and very sweet.

The recommended tune is "The Dancing Master," played AABB, and a suitable recording would be "Jig for Joy" track 7, by The Music Makars.

(Dance information from They Stole My Wife From Me Last Night Collection Of Scottish Country Dances, reproduced here with the kind permission of the deviser, Rod Downey)

Short And Very Sweet

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