Distant Dancing

From the reports I've received everyone managed to cope with my absence last week and this week further rallying around has produced a new selection of dances which are now on the Tuesday Dance programme page. The order may not be the same and there might be a few variations or additions but having a look at the videos should prepare most people for a good night of relatively simple dancing. Over here in wet and windy Manchester regions I am surviving on a rich diet of dance sessions and classes. It is very true that once you become a confident dancer you can confidently attend anything even if you are alone, because dancers are always welcomed. I attended a dance last Saturday and for the princely sum of £3 had a brilliant night - I danced all 20 of the programme dances + one of the extras, despite not knowing a sole before walking in - why more people don't take this type of dancing more seriously is inexplicable to me! Before anyone thinks - "well it's okay for her she knows all the dances" - I had no idea of the programme before I went and when I received a copy at the door I only knew 4 of them (interestingly two of them where The Luckenbooth Brooch and Butterscotch & Honey, dances on this week's Tuesday Class programme) so I had a steep learning curve but  all the dances were recapped and walked through - ostensibly for me - but plenty of others were glad of it too. I've now learnt several dances that we MUST do once I'm home - Staircase in Styria, 5 couple reel, brilliant fun; Broadway, 3 couple Strathspey, slightly weird moves but brilliant music, Indian River Strathspey - another 3 couple Strathspey but in a trianglular set with a very pretty progression; and if we really want to go mad Torridon Lassies and Prince Charlie's Quickstep will sort the men from the boys. Earlier in the week I attended a smaller 'class' and collected Tattie Boggle ( an old dance but I've never danced it before), Never At Sea, a 6 couple recipe for chaos unless you love 'A trip to Bavaria' (but plenty of people do) and The Aviator, fabulous fun but I know I'll find it impossible to teach without a large gin! I'm missing everyone and the sunshine too but as you can see making good use of my time. (and my mum is doing well too) Jxx