From: SSRL04::WINSTON 24-JUL-1998 18:01:50.04 To: WINSTON CC: Subj: Re: Dummer's Reel Newsgroups: rec.folk-dancing Path: nntp.Stanford.EDU!news.Stanford.EDU!logbridge.uoregon.edu!europa.clark.net!194.162.162.196!newsfeed.nacamar.de!dispose.news.demon.net!demon!peernews.ftech.net!ayres.ftech.net!news.ftech.net!peernews.cix.co.uk!cix.compulink.co.uk!usenet From: cbrady@cix.compulink.co.uk ("C J Brady") Subject: Re: Dummer's Reel Message-ID: Organization: Compulink Information eXchange References: Date: Thu, 23 Jul 1998 19:30:17 GMT Lines: 102 Xref: nntp.Stanford.EDU rec.folk-dancing:28226 Ahem - if I might interject. This dance is not Dummer's - whoever he/she is supposed to be. It was actually collected from the Women's Institute in the village of Dummer, Hampshire, England in the 1950s by Ann-Marie Hulme. A while later Roy Dommet published it in his notes (apparently published by CDSS and avail. from them). However the basket figure he describes and has taught at various workshops is a far more complicated and sophisticated version than the one first collected. Whilst the directions given in previous post(s) are nearly 'correct' [whatever that means in traditional dance] I have attached below the traditional unadulterated version as first collected. The tune 'Brighton Camp' or 'The Girl I Left Behind Me' fits the dance admirably. The 'jack' is actually a stuffed 'joker' or 'Punch' head held on a stick about 18 inches long. A shrunken head from Papua New Guinea would be admirable [I joke of course but that would be a good example!!]. It should have bells on it so that it rings as it is shaken by the person who is 'it' at the time. DUMMER FIVE-HAND REEL (with joker) Music: 'Brighton Camp', 'Rose Tree', (brisk) - A+ABs Change tune after 2nd basket for next open ring Five people: 1 4 Joker 2 3 Steps: Single pas-de-bas (*), Dolly's back step(**) Dance: A All five circle left with hands, holding joker vertically B All drop hands, and continue circling R, except for joker who turns to R and weaves the moving ring the other way A All stop in ring with joker in centre, joker steps to someone x4, then turns them twice clockwise with two crossed hands and 'buzz-step' (i.e. as for normal non-walking swinging), then B Joker steps to person directly behind x4, and turns them twice. A Reel of three with the joker and those stepped to - this is initiated by the Joker leaving the one just turned, and immediately going to the one behind and passing them by the left shoulder, etc. The reel should continue for 8 bars. B Then all dance forwards into a basket for five, turn this clockwise (to form basket everyone, with his/her left arm diagonally up and right arm diagonally down, dances forwards without turning round into a natural basket - with arms behind the person immediately on either side everyone takes hands with the *next* person round on either side by raising the right arm under the outstretched arms and bringing the left arm over the outstretched arms) A Joker steps to and turns someone new, then B Joker steps to and turns remaining person. A Reel of three with these. B Basket for five during which the Joker is passed on to someone else behind the backs. Music now changes tune and dance repeats. Finish with extra B for a circle L and lead off with joker in front. (*) Traditional 'pas-de-bas': Timing: 1,2,3, pause, 1,2,3, pause, etc., ... Step is entirely on balls of feet, with small weight changes from one foot to the other Step to left (about 12 inches), then place right foot just in front of left toe (so that the raised right heel is just above the left toe) and the same time lift left foot slightly off the ground, step onto left foot again, pause, repeat the other way, ... There should be no bounce or lift as in country dance-style setting, keep it neat and low to the ground. (**) Dolly's 'back step' - collect in a pub in Hampshire from a lady called Dolly: Timing: Hop, 1,2,3, Hop, 1,2,3, etc. Hop on left foot leaning body very SLIGHTLY to the left, place right foot behind left foot and step onto right foot lifting left foot up slightly in front, step onto right foot still in front and lift left foot up slightly at back, step back onto left foot behind right foot; Hop onto right foot leaning very slightly to the right, etc., ... Enjoy. Chris Brady.