Capering & Kickery

New Scotia Quadrille

A while back I discussed the wonderful dance CD Music for Quadrilles, by the English band Green Ginger (with Kevin Smith).  At the time, I skimmed over the tracks for five modern Scottish (RSCDS) dances, since I didn't have any way to check the ones with historical sources against the originals.  Since then, I've come across a copy of one of the editions of D. (David) Anderson's Ball-Room Guide, a "New, Enlarged, & Complete Edition", which the liner notes of Music for Quadrilles cite as the source for one of the historical dances, New Scotia Quadrille.

According to J. P. (Joan) and T. M. Flett in Traditional Dancing in Scotland, David Anderson taught in Dundee and in a number of other towns from c1850-1911.  His Ball-Room Guide seems to have gone through at least five editions, with the "New, Enlarged" versions appearing between the mid-1880s and late 1890s.  Since the one I examined is not dated, and I have no others to compare it to, I cannot date it precisely.

New Scotia Quadrille is a single-figure quadrille, one of several in Anderson.  No author is given, but it presumably was not Anderson himself, since he was not shy about putting his name on several other dances of his own creation in his book.  For the most part, it has very standard figures, much like other single-figure quadrilles of the late nineteenth century.  The RSCDS version follows the original instructions fairly closely.  But it has one interesting quirk at the end that did not make it into the modern version, and Anderson includes information on quadrille performance in (presumably) at least the Dundee area of Scotland during this era that is also of interest to me in showing regional variation.

I'll give the figures first and then discuss these details.

Digging It

I keep coming across what I can only call weird little 1950s novelty dances that were supposedly enormously popular among teenagers of the time.  In the case of The Dig, I can't quite see it, myself, or even imagine it as a less-jaded teenager...but then I remember that the Bunny Hop was a genuine teenage fad during the same era, so anything is possible.  The Dig was at least briefly regionally popular, appearing on Oklahoma Bandstand, the local version of the televised dance program, American Bandstand.

As described in the November 1958 issue of Dance Magazine by columnist Dorothea Duryea Ohl (daughter of the famous Oscar Duryea), The Dig was not a spontanous dance-floor innovation like its contemporary, the hand jive.  It was choreographed by Oklahoma City dance instructor Jimmie Crowell:

The owner of a recording company wanted a dance for teen-agers to fit an as-yet-untitled number.  He liked Jimmie's brainchild so much that he gave the same title to the record: The Dig, now on Chess label, Ken Kash Kwintet, No. 1699 (Flip side: Vicious Vodka)

Crowell died only a few years ago, after a long career as a dance instructor.  Other than that Chess single, I can find no trace of the Ken Kash Kwintet.  I suspect that they were an in-house group of Chess musicians pulled together for this recording.

A Vauxhall Masquerade (11th Annual Regency Assembly), Saturday, October 12th, New Haven, CT

Saturday, October 12th, in New Haven, Connecticut we will have a night of Regency-era revelry with a masquerade ball in the style of Vauxhall Gardens, the famous pleasure gardens of early 19th century London!  This will be our eleventh annual Regency Assembly in New Haven.

Regency-style fancy dress costume is welcome (though not required; plain Regency costume and/or modern formal wear is also acceptable).  Masks are encouraged! 

I will be calling the dances to the wonderful dance music of Spare Parts. Light refreshments in the famous Vauxhall style will be served!  Dances will include country dances, cotillions, reels, and waltz.  An afternoon workshop (free with ball registration) will review the dances for the evening.

Registration is limited to 60 people. No partner is required. $30 per person in advance ($20 for ages 13-21; under 13 free with parent).  More at the door!

Please see the Vauxhall Masquerade website for more details and registration information and/or join our event on Facebook for updates!

Updated 9/25/13: Hotel arrangements and pre-ball workshop details for New York, Middletown, and the afternoon of the ball are now up on the website.

Updated 9/30/13: Costume suggestions are now up on the website!

September 2013 Gig Calendar

Back in the swing of things for fall!  I'll be teaching 19th century dance in Chicago, Connecticut, and New York and doing blues DJ gigs in New York, New Haven, and Boston.  In between there'll be a bit of Renaissance dance and a Regency tea dance in Connecticut, a basic cross-step waltz class series, and a walking tour of historical song and dance in Boston!  Here's the schedule as it stands, subject to a few more additions.  I'll be adding details and Facebook event links as they become available.

Wednesday, September 4th ~ Oak Park, Illinois (Chicago area)
Dance Like Dickens!  English dancing in the 1812-1870 era.  (PDF flyer)
7:00-10:00pm

Sunday, September 8th ~ New Haven, Connecticut
Swing & Blues Practicum for Yale Swing & Blues (Facebook event)
8:00-11:00pm  DJing blues from 9:30-11:00.

Tuesday, September 10th ~ Middletown, Connecticut
Jane Austen Era Dancing (Facebook event)
Beginner-friendly lesson 8:15-9:30pm.  No costume needed.

Friday, September 13th ~ New York City
Friday Night Blues (Facebook event)
7:00pm-2:00am.  DJing blues for some part of 10:00pm-2:00am.

Saturday, September 14th ~ New York City
Regency Dance Workshop (Facebook event)
Beginner-friendly lesson 3:00-5:00pm.  No costume needed.

Tuesday, September 17th ~ Somerville, Massachusetts (Boston area)
Bluesy Tuesy (Facebook event)
7:30-11:00pm.  DJing blues from 9:45-11:00.

Thursday, September 19th ~ Somerville, Massachusetts (Boston area)
Blues Union (Facebook event)
7:30-11:30pm.  DJing blues from 9:30-10:30.

Sunday, September 22nd ~ Boston, Massachusetts
Historical Dance & Music in Boston walking tour (Facebook event) (email Donna La Rue for more information)
2:00-4:00pm

Monday, September 23rd ~ New Haven, Connecticut
Basic Cross-Step Waltz class series starts.  Three Monday nights plus a Friday night party.  Contact me directly for details.
7:00-8:00pm

Saturday, September 28th ~ Middletown, Connecticut
Renaissance Dance for All!  (ages 10 and up welcome) (Facebook event)
2:00-4:00pm. 

Sunday, September 29th ~ Middletown, Connecticut
A Regency Tea Dance (Facebook event)
2:00-5:00pm.  Costumes encouraged!

Sunday, September 29th ~ New Haven, Connecticut
Swing & Blues Practicum for Yale Swing & Blues (Facebook group)
8:00-11:00pm  DJing blues from 9:30-11:00.

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I am available for private lessons in Connecticut or on my various travels; during the latter, you must provide the dance space.  Email me directly if you would like to schedule a private lesson.

New Haven & Middletown, Connecticut: September 9-13, 16, 24-30
New York City: September 13-14
Boston area: September 18-22

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Coming in October: the 11th Annual Regency Assembly: A Vauxhall Masquerade!  Registration is open now!