"Hamish's Mirror" video!

**Kiltman** · 15th May 09, 07:21 PM

Originally Posted by Andrewson

Even worse than trousers for getting twisted the wrong way (if you see what I mean

). Much prefer the kilt, of course.

I couldn't agree with you more. I refuse to wear shorts to dance in, and long pants just drag on the floor. Some think I'm eccentric for dancing in a kilt, but it is the most practical garment to wear for SCD.

**Hamish** · 16th May 09, 03:46 AM

Thank you again, Jamie. I feel totally humbled to have a dance named in my honour and it's a delightful one to watch (presumably also to dance - if only I still could!). Being a Strathspey there is time for the dancers to think ahead and it is therefore a perfect dance for a beginners' class. This is proved by watching Arlen's video. My thanks go also to Arlen and Diane for making it possible for us to see the 'Premier' performance.

Well done, everyone.

Take care,
Ham.

**Panache** · 20th May 09, 07:04 AM

I am going to have a final version of this dance up very soon.

My SCD teacher went over it with me and pointed out that switching the order of the diamond pousette and the right hands across would be better and smoother.

His Lairdship deserves a finely tuned dance after all...

Stay tuned Scottish Country Dancers!

Cheers

Jamie :ootd:

**Panache** · 3rd June 09, 04:13 PM

Hamish's Mirror

A 32 bar strathspey for three couples in a four couple set

by Jamie

Bars

1-8 1st and 2nd couples dance pousette right round

9-12 1st and 2nd couples dance right hands across once round

13-16 1st couple cast off one place and dance up to the top to finish facing out, while 2nd couple dance up to the top and cast off one place to finish facing in (taking nearer hands as they move up the set) .

17-24 Mirror reels of three on the sides, 1s begin dancing out and down, 2s in and down, 3s out and up. (1st and 3rd couple curl into places)

25-28 All three couples turn with both hands twice round.

29-32 1st couple drop hands and continue their turn pulling back right shoulder to face out toward own sides, then cast off to 2nd place, own sides, 2s stepping up on 31-32.

Note: The movement in bars 29-30 is often referred to as a half gypsy.

Written in honor of Hamish Bicknell, kilted gentleman of West Sussex and lifetime member of the RSCDS

My Thanks to SCD Teacher and Red Thistle Dancer Paula Jacobsen for reviewing and revising this dance to make it worthy for his Lairdship

Cheers

Jamie

**Deil the Yin** · 3rd June 09, 05:49 PM

That's pretty daw-gone cool!

**Panache** · 1st July 09, 07:38 AM

Our SCD class continues to meet over the summer but without an official teacher (though ours often comes).

Members of the class bring dances they would like to teach.

So guess what I decided to teach this past Monday night...

Hamish's Mirror!

I did so-so as an instructor but I was very pleased to see that our class really had no difficulties dancing it and the dance does seem to have a very nice flow. After the dance was concluded I received a long round of applause that made me blush.

If I never write another I can be satisfied that at least the first one (with a little help) works!

Cheers

Jamie :ootd:

**vmac3205** · 1st July 09, 09:52 AM

Nicely done, one and all. Arlen....is that a beer belly on Kevin? He'd better be careful.

**Arlen** · 1st July 09, 10:29 AM

It is indeed. He lost it for a while then it started coming back, but he's doing his best to keep it under control.
Even I am managing to keep loosing weight what with all this dancing and building chicken coops!

Jamie, I am absolutely thrilled that the dance went over so well. Huge, Huge congratulations.