black valley

BLACK VALLEY SQUARE JIG SET

                        © 2008 Larry E. Taylor



    The set originated in the Kenmare area on the Counties Cork and Kerry border of Ireland.
    Square the Set (16 bars): In waltz hold, all couples slide to the next position on the
                     right -- gents begin on the left foot and ladies on the right foot – slide, step, slide,
                     lift the trailing foot slightly. Beginning with the lifted-foot, dance two bars in-place
                     as couples make only a quarter turn toward the next position on the right. Repeat
                     the slide, step, slide, lift plus two bars in-place with quarter-turn three times to
                     reach home.
    Bar-counts (measures of music) for dance patterns are shown in bold.
    The total bar count for each Figure includes an eight-bar introduction of music.
    A gentle jig step (down-2-3) is to be danced for the first three Figures.
                     A lively jig step (down-2-3) is to be danced for Figure 4 and an ordinary hornpipe
                     step ( lift-2-3-4) is to be danced for Figure 5.
    Documentation is based upon a workshop taught by Tony Ryan at Ellenville, New
                    York USA in April 2004.
    Edition of November 15, 2008 — Contact larryetaylor@hotmail.com

FIGURE 1 -- JIGS (120 BARS)

	LEAD AROUND—SQUARE THE SET—HOUSE
All couples:	lead around anticlockwise in open waltz hold8;
	square the set (see heading)16;
	full house (all houses of the set are in waltz hold)8.
	PINWHEEL—SWING—SQUARE THE SET—HOUSE
Top couples:	pinwheel (star) clockwise with right hands with the couple on the left
	(one revolution)8;
All couples:	swing original partners (all swings of the set are in waltz hold)8;
	square the set16;
	full house8.
Side couples:	repeat from 40.

FIGURE 2 -- JIGS (136 BARS)

	LEAD AROUND—SQUARE THE SET—HOUSE
All couples:	lead around in open waltz hold8;
	square the set16;
	full house8.
	GENTS CROSSOVER & SWING—SLIDE IN & OUT—DANCE IN-PLACE—GENTS CROSS—SWING
Top couples:	gents dance straight across2; swing the opposite lady6;
	new couples slide in and out once4; dance in-place, turning once4;
	gents dance straight across2; swing original partner6.
	SQUARE THE SET—HOUSE
All couples:	square the set16;
	full house8.
Side couples:	repeat from 48.

FIGURE 3 -- JIGS (232 BARS)

	LEAD AROUND—SQUARE THE SET—HOUSE
All couples:	lead around in open waltz hold8;
	square the set16;
	full house8.
	DANCE AT HOME—SLIDE IN & OUT—DANCE AT HOME—CHANGE PARTNERS
Top couples:	dance at home in waltz hold (two revolutions)8;
	slide in and out once in waltz hold4; dance in-place, turning once4;
	gents dance straight across2; swing the opposite lady6;
	new couples slide in and out once4; dance in-place, turning once4;
	gents dance to the lady now on his left2; swing6;
	new couples slide in and out once4; dance in-place, turning once4;
	gents dance straight across2; swing the lady6;
	new couples slide in and out once4; dance in-place, turning once4;
	gents dance to original partner2; swing6.
	SQUARE THE SET—HOUSE
All couples:	square the set16;
	full house8.
Side couples:	repeat from 96.

FIGURE 4 -- JIGS or SLIDES (104 BARS)

	LEAD AROUND—HOUSE—SQUARE INSIDE THREE TIMES—HOUSE
Top couples:	lead around inside the set with gents holding left hands and
	right arms at their partner’s waist behind8;
	house around each other8;
	half-diamond slide (anticlockwise)4 and house to home4 -- three times24;
	house around each other8.
Side couples:	repeat from 48.

FIGURE 5 -- REELS (160 BARS)

	LEAD AROUND—EXCHANGE SEVENS AND THREES—SWING
All couples:	lead around anticlockwise, holding crossed hands in front (rights on top)8;
	while still facing anticlockwise, exchange sevens and threes with partner (with
	the partner dancing to the right dancing behind the other, dance past one
	another to change places2; dance in-place2; change places again2; dance
	in-place2)8;
	swing in waltz hold8.
	DANCE AT HOME—SLIDE IN & OUT—DANCE AT HOME—GENTS CROSSOVER—SWING
Top couples:	dance at home, revolving twice8;
	slide in and out once4; dance at home, turning once4;
	gents dance straight across2; swing the opposite lady6;
	GENTS HOOK AROUND IN CENTER AND DANCE TO HOME
	gents hook left arms in the center and dance around anticlockwise,
	doubling the final two and ending with original partner8.
Side couples:	repeat from 56.
	LEAD AROUND—EXCHANGE SEVENS AND THREES—SWING
All couples:	lead around anticlockwise, holding crossed hands in front, rights on top8;
	while still facing anticlockwise, exchange sevens and threes with partners8;
	swing in waltz hold8.
	SQUARE THE HOUSE DANCING SEVENS—HOUSE TO END THE FIGURE
	*sevens* square the house anticlockwise, in waltz hold (1-2-3-4-5-6-7 to each
	position and turn slightly anticlockwise to face the next position)8;
	full house8.

FIGURE 6 (sometimes Optional) -- HORNPIPES (160 BARS)

	QUARTERHOUSE—HOUSE—ADVANCE AND RETIRE AND CHANGE PARTNERS
All couples:	quarterhouse in waltz hold16;
	full house in waltz hold8;
	take hands in a circle and advance and retire four times (in-2-3, out-2-3,
	in-2-3, out-2-3, in-2-3 , out-2-3 , in-2-3 , out-2-3);
	when advancing a final time (in-2-3 bar seven), only gents
	dance in and ladies dance one position to the right;
	ladies dance in-place at the new position as the gents
	retire (out-2-3 bar eight )8;
	repeat from three times96;
	QUARTERHOUSE—END THE SET WITH A FULL HOUSE
	quarterhouse16;
	full house in waltz hold, doubling the final two bars8.