Vishoek

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

1-8 First, second and third couple dance right shoulder parallel reels of three on the sides.
9-16 First and second couples dance La Spirale.
 La Spirale is a new progression. (described here for 1C and 2C)
 9-10 First and second couple dance ¾ of a two hand pas de Basque turn, to finish in a line of 4 up and down, first man back to back with second lady.
 11-12 First man and second lady cast around each other (pulling back RS and skip change) to finish first man in second man's place and second lady in first lady's place, while first lady dances clockwise around the outside of the set to second lady's place and similarly second man to first man's place.
 13-16 1C and 2C turn partners with right hand.
17-24 First lady cuts a reel of three across with third couple giving right shoulder to third man to begin.
First man cuts a reel of three across with second couple giving right shoulder to second lady to begin; second man should anticipate the direction change into the reel by casting around his left shoulder into the reel.
At the end first couple pass left shoulder to face first corners
25-32 First couple and corners turn corner-partner-corner-partner, using elbow grip except for bars 31 and 32, where a left hand should be given for the final cross to place.

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

Dance Notes

1-2 First and second couple dance ¾ of a two hand pas de Basque turn, to finish in a line of 4 up and down, first man back to back with second lady.
3-4 First man and second lady cast around each other (pulling back RS and skip change) to finish first man in second man's place and second lady in first lady's place, while first lady dances clockwise around the outside of the set to second lady's place and similarly second man to first man's place.
5-8 1C and 2C turn partners with right hand.

When teaching La Spirale, it is important that the casting couples remain with a tight cast and do not cast by going forward first. Else the covering will be lost.

When teaching this formation, it is often helpful if the first lady retains right hand with first man's left momentarily at the beginning of bar 3, and similarly second man's right with second lady's left.

Keith Rose's Crib Diagrams

Vishoek - Full Size And Key To Symbols

Dance Information

Vishoek or Fish Hoek is a lovely town on the Cape Town peninsula.

I taught a class there in one windy night 2011 and the group was a lot of fun.

I have been meaning to write a dance for them, and it occurred to me, that the La Spirale is a bit like a fish hook...

Recommended music is the set of Irish Reels by the Sound Company. Another excellent alternative would be the Peter Elmes set for Mr William Brown's Reel from "Thistle Hall," which could be described as "Bothy Ballads." Otherwise a good driving reel in one of these styles.

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

Fish Hoek - Cape Town - Information Video

Fish Hoek, Cape Town, South Africa

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