Virginia reel (dance)
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The Virginia reel is an American folk dance that dates from the 17th century. Though the reel may have its origins in Scottish country dance and the Highland reel, and perhaps have an even earlier influence from an Irish dance called the Rinnce Fada, it is generally considered to be an English country dance. The dance was most popular in America from 1830-1890 and was first published in England (1865).
The Virginia reel was a popular dance, and in each area there would be slight differences. This has given rise to a la
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[edit] The dance
Described below is one version of the Virginia reel.
The dancers line up in two lines of 5-7 couples, partners facing each other. Traditionally men would line up on one side, and women on the other, but that is not necessary. The lines have a head and a foot, with the head couple being the nearest the band or music source and the foot couple at the other end of the line. This formation is the same for any version of the Virginia reel.
- Head lady and foot gentleman forward and back.
- The head lady and the foot man advance diagonally toward each other four steps, the lady curtsey and the gentleman bow, and retire four steps backward into place. The head man and foot lady do likewise immediately.
- Forward and turn with the right hand round.
- The head lady and the foot man advance, join left hands (shoulder high), make one complete turn and return to places. The head man and foot lady do the same.
- Forward again with the left hand round.
- The head lady and foot man advance, join both hands straight across and make one complete turn, then return to places. The head man and foot lady do the same.
- Do-si-do (pronounced dough-see-dough)
- The head lady and foot man advance, pass each other right shoulder to right shoulder, and without turning, go around each other back to back and retire backwards to places. The head man and foot lady do the same. Repeat the Do-si-do by left shoulder.
- Head couple down the centre and back.
- The head couple join both hands and chasse (side slip and close) down inside of the lines four steps and return to the head position.
- Right arm to partner and reel. (Right to centre, left to the side.)
- The head couple link arms and turns around once and a half. (This leaves the lady facing the men's line and the man facing the ladies line). The head lady turns the second man (the second man from the head of the line) once around in his place with left arms linked, while the head man does likewise with the second lady.
- Head couple then returns to the middle and turns each other again (once around) with right arms linked, and move on to the third couple.
- This is continued until they reach the foot of the lines, where they turn half way around only, instead of a full turn, so that the lady ends up on her side and the man on the men's side. The head couple then join hands across and chasse (side slip and close) with side steps back to the head of the set. They drop hands and turn out ready for the march.
- The march
- The head couple separate. The man turns outwards and walks toward the foot directly behind the men's line, followed by all the men in single file. At the same time the head lady does the same thing on her side of the set.
- Then the head couple meet at the foot of the set and walk together to the head of the set, followed by the other couples. When all have reached their original places, all the partners, except the head couple, join hands and hold them high to form a long archway under which the head couple, with hands joined, walk quickly to the foot, where they remain. The original second couple now become head couple and the whole pattern is repeated until all have been head couple.
[edit] Variations
As said above, there are many variations. One of the most common is this:
When the head couple reach the foot of the set, they stop, join both hands to form an arch while the couples who are behind them join hands and go under the arch and up the centre toward the head position. This leaves the original head couple at the foot and the second couple now becomes the head couple.
[edit] Step
The step is a light walk on the toes or balls of the feet.
[edit] Calls
The following calls are given by the leader for beginners, or where there are several sets, so that the different sets do the figures at the same time.
[edit] Music
Choose lively old time reel music such as 'Durang's Hornpipe' or 'Old Zip Coon" or you may wish to use newer music such as a selection from the Atlanta Pops album, Hooked on Country.
