It All Started in DeKalb

by Sue McKinnell

8x32 Medley for 3C

Bars

1-8

(strathspey time) 1C & 2C set and dance RH across ½ way. 2C & 1C set and dance LH across ½ way to return to original places.

9-16

1C dance down for four bars, turn BH once round, then dance back up to face 1^st corners; 2C step up on bars 11-12.

17-24

(reel time) All clap. 1C dance a ½ reel of four with 1^st corners, passing RS in the center to face 2^nd corners. 1C dance a ½ reel of four with 2^nd corners, passing RS in the center to face 1^st corners in diagonally opposite positions.

25-32

1C dance a ½ reel of four with 1^st corners, passing RS in the center to face 2^nd corners in diagonally opposite positions. 1C dance a ½ reel of four with 2^nd corners, ending in 2^nd place on own sides.

Repeat.

Suggested music is The Maine Medley from Celebrate 50 Years with the Boston Branch.

I started dancing in September 1994 at Fermilab with a group that had started in DeKalb, IL a few years earlier. This dance captures my experiences that first night. The first dance I danced was De'il Amang the Tailors, which is reflected in bars 1-8. Later that night the more experienced dancers danced Mairi's Wedding as a demo for us newcomers. It was that dance that hooked me on Scottish Country Dancing - I wanted to dance that dance! And bars 17-32 are Mairi's Wedding reels as I prefer to dance them.

11/01