Foggy River Reel

 

*   40 bar Reel for 3 couples   *

 

For Stella Fogg, devoted teacher, mentor and friend, teacher of Scottish Country Dance in Richmond, Virginia, USA.  Richmond is a "river city" as the James River runs through the middle of the city. The James River has many rocks and  rapids (some class 5 rapids for you river rats out there) and one of my favorite things to do is to take my 2 boys and 2  dogs down to the river to run about and play on the rocks. The water "reels" and "turns" around the rocks and puts  me in mind of some of our dances.

                                                                                                Jana Blue

                                                                                                Richmond, VA USA March 2001

 

1 - 4       1st couple turn with right hands and cast, 2nd couple step up on bars 3 & 4.

5 - 8       1st couple dance between 3rd couple and cast up to 2nd place.

9 - 16     1st couple dance reels of 3 across the dance, begin by giving left shoulder to 1st corner (lady up with 2nd couple and man down with 3rd couple).

17 - 18   1st couple turn with right hands ¾  to face 1st corner.

19 - 20   1st couple turn 1st corner with left hands to face 2nd corner.

21 - 22   1st couple turn 2nd corner with right hands to finish between corners.

23 - 24   2nd, 1st and 3rd couple set.

25 - 26   1st couple turn with right hands ¾  to face partner’s 1st corner.

27 - 28   1st couple turn partner’s 1st corner with left hands to face partner’s 2nd  corner.

29 - 30   1st couple turn partner’s 2nd corner with right hands to finish in second place on own side.

31 - 32  2nd,  1st and 3rd couple set.

33 - 40  2nd,  1st and 3rd couple dance 6 hands round and back.

________________________

 

Teaching Notes:

* This dance is best with a wide set with lots of space for dancing!

* Bars 9 - 16: don't rush the reel...you have plenty of time to enjoy it.

* Bars 17 - 32: the figure was fondly named "the Jana Chain" by our class.

* Bar 22 and Bar 30: quick hand change for the corner person - not awkward if you anticipate it.

* Bar 33: foot change for transition from PDB to slip step.

 

Music Notes:

The definitive music for this dance was arranged by David Knight and recorded by Waverley Station (Liz Donaldson, David Knight and Ralph Gordon) on their CD, "First Stop!"  It is track #6.

The arrangement comprises three DRIVING reels played ABABB in the order 1-2-3-1-2-3-2-1.  The tunes are:

1. The Phoenix - by Dave Hennessy

2. Travelling West - by Richard Wood

3. Spirit of the House - from Danny Carnahan and Robin Petrie.