St. Jerome's Reel

32 bar reel for 5 couples in a longwise set

by Tim Harrison (2000)


Bars     Directions
1-8 1st couple turn partner, giving right hands, cast off one place, and dance a figure of eight around 2nd couple, crossing up between 2nd couple to begin. At the same time, 5th couple turn partner giving right hands, cast up one place, and dance a figure of eight around 4th couple, crossing down between 4th couple to begin. 2nd and 4th couples step up or down on bars 3 & 4 to end of set.
9-16 1st man, 3rd woman, and 5th woman dance a reel of three on the side, 1st man and 3rd woman giving right shoulders to begin. 1st woman, 3rd man, and 5th man dance a reel of three on the side, 1st woman and 3rd man giving right shoulders to begin. 1st couple finish back-to-back in the middle of the set in 2nd place, face opposite side of the set. 5th couple finish back-to-back in the middle of the set in 4th place, face opposite side of thee set.
17-24 2nd , 1st , and 3rd couples dance double triangles. At the same time, 3rd , 5th , and 4th couples dance double triangles. 1st and 5th couple finish on own side of set, face out of set. Finish in the order 21354. All are on own side of set.
25-28 2nd , 1st , and 3rd women dance half a reel of three on the side, 2nd woman and 1st woman giving left shoulders to begin. At the same time, 2nd , 1st , and 3rd men dance half a reel of three on the side, 2nd man and 1st man giving right shoulders to begin.
29-32 2nd , 5th , and 4th women dance half a reel of three on the side, 2nd woman and 5th woman giving left shoulders to begin. 2nd , 5th , and 4th men dance half a reel of three on the side, 2nd man and 5th man giving left shoulders to begin. Finish in the order 31452.

Recommended tune: Any good reel.


Note: This dance was devised during Teachers' Association (Canada) Summer School in 2000 at the University of Waterloo in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. Housing was at St. Jerome's University.