Gay Gordons Ceilidh Dance Instructions

Music Info: (M16) March 2/4 or 4/4
- Usually danced to a 2/4 or 4/4 march like 'Scotland the Brave' or the tune 'The Gordon Highlanders' composed by James Scott Skinner in 1915 and dedicated to P.M. George S. MacLennan.

Introduction: Round the room dance, Couples facing anticlockwise around room

Formation: March n x 16 bars 1 Couple Repeat 1 Couple Set Round the Room Set
This is the ceilidh version, not strict RSCDS.
Start with all couples facing anticlockwise around the room, each L on M's right.

Dance Steps:

(Bar 1-2): Taking allemande hold, march forward for 3 paces and turn on the spot halfway under the raised arms on the 4th pace to face backwards, L on M's left;
(Bars 3-4): march backward for 4 paces (still travelling anticlockwise);
(Bars 5-6): march forward for 3 paces (travelling clockwise) and turn on the spot halfway under the raised arms on the 4th pace to face anticlockwise, L on M's right;
(Bars 7-8): march backward for 4 paces (still travelling clockwise), finishing with M facing L, dropping left hands and retaining hold with right hand above L's head;
(Bars 9-12): M set twice (or just stand) WHILE L set twice, turning on the spot under his right hand;
(Bars 13-16): taking waltz hold, polka once round (making some progress anticlockwise around the room in this) to finish facing as at bar 1.

 


 

Music by: New Syne Band