dance groups use either ‘dolphin hey’ (USA) or ‘dolphin reel’ (England), and that wording has also carried into the contra worlds in those two communities. Many callers simply use the term that will be familiar to most of the dancers at a particular event.
Summary As the dolphin reel figure has gained in popularity it has begun to lose its back stories: both to the connection with specific Scottish dances and choreographers, and with the question of why the figure is associated with dolphins and with which dolphins in particular. As more dancers and choreographers encounter the dolphin reel, it is certain that more dances will be devised with this intriguing and popular figure. The value of tracing the evolution and dissemination of the dolphin reel lies in providing proof that, as we enter the second hundred years of what is called ‘the folk revival,’ the worlds of English, Scottish and American country dance remain vibrant, innovative, and open to fruitful cross-pollination. Note: Readers interested in a more detailed discussion of the historic twists and turns of the dolphin hey will enjoy a longer version of this article, complete with directions for twenty dances, which first appeared in the June 2019 issue of Country Dance + Song Online, the scholarly journal of the Country Dance and Song Society (CDSS.org).
RSCDS LEEDS BRANCH
60th ANNIVERSARY
RSCDS LEEDS B
60TH
1962 to 2022
60th ANNIVERSARY BALL Saturday 19 November 2022 The Riley-Smith Hall, Tadcaster LS24 9AB Wine reception 7.00pm Carriages 11.15pm Dancing to the Ian Muir Scottish Dance Band Ticket info: rscdsleeds.org.uk
Shetland Reel:
Formal dress preferred
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZxoUI0nV84 An RSCDS video of Pelorus Jack: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIg2H6gew7Y
A View from the Floor can pick your feet up it is so enjoyable to have you with me on a Thursday, and occasionally for other events (also called ‘Dances’ I believe), obviously moving with grace and pleasure without just shuffling around. I am, and have been, very appreciative of the amount of consideration you show for me. I have heard your teachers on numerous occasions ask you to look up and even to look at your partner, but very many of you, at all skill levels, seem still to be very concerned for my health, and barely take your eyes off me, often throughout a dance. I am very sorry that there have been problems arising from my recent makeover, and hope that there has been some resolution. You will, I hope, understand that, like many of the residents here, my appearance and well-being is entirely in the hands of my carers. It is quite hurtful when I hear, “The floor was not feeling so good this evening” or “There are very slippery patches in that corner”. I do very much appreciate your consideration for my health. (The large mops with which you now treat me at the end of the evening are a really pleasurable experience.) If you
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www.rscds.org
When what I believe is called ‘Honouring your partner’ takes place at the beginning and end of a dance, I even notice that some of you actually look at me, instead of at your partner, which I find quite flattering. I am not sensitive enough to be sure what a partner feels about that, however. I have heard teachers, especially visiting teachers at what I believe you call ‘Day Schools’, often say, “You do not need to look at the floor - it is not going to go away or disappear.” I would like to reassure you that to the best of my knowledge and belief, neither option is open to me.
From my lowly viewpoint, I can honestly say that while I appreciate your concerns, I am more than happy to provide as good a service as I can, as unobtrusively as possible. In fact, may I take the liberty of saying I am forming the opinion that keeping your head up improves your posture and results in a much more comfortable relationship between us? Furthermore, I am not attention seeking, but can observe at first hand the benefits of looking at your partner. It is obvious to me that both of you can benefit from the interaction, and it certainly takes some pressure off me if you provide mutual support and engagement. I have noticed that a more experienced dancer can often provide reassurance to a less experienced dancer if there is mutual eye contact. I have also noticed that it is not unknown for the roles to be reversed on occasion. To have heard the comment, “I have danced all evening, but no-one has danced with me.” leaves me hoping that it has not been due to any shortcoming on my part. I do hope to continue to give satisfaction to the best of my ability, and that you will be happy to continue to keep me company and enjoy your dancing.
Andrew Smith, Bristol Branch
