Details
Virtual doors open 6:50, dancing until 8:30.
The dances for tonight are
- Mrs. Savage’s Whim from Dancing Master, 1710 as reconstructed by Bernard Bentley, 1962
- Doctor Fauci’s Return, a Coronavirus dance by David Smukler 2021, Tune by Debbie Jackson
- The Hand That Rocks the Cradle by Meg Grindrod, 2021 Tune: Turlute à Bassinette, by André Brunet
- Love’s Triumph from Dancing Master, 1710 As reconstructed by David Smukler (2021)
- Love’s Triumph has already been interpreted by Bernard Bentley, Fried Herman, Philippe
Callens, Colin Hume, and others. My version largely follows Colin Hume’s 2007 interpretation,
which is the only one I have seen that neatly solves the problem of finishing the A-parts with all
on their original side. I chose to re-interpret it because none of the authors mentioned above
manage to include the final “Back to Back with your Partners” from the original directions (just
before “lead thro’”). I found I could accomplish that using a little bit of Fried Herman’s rather
creative interpretation (two right-hand turns in a row). The reason there are so many
reconstructions is that the original text is not entirely clear. Every one of these interpretations,
including mine, have some elements that are difficult to justify based on the 1710 instructions.
- Love’s Triumph has already been interpreted by Bernard Bentley, Fried Herman, Philippe
David’s full notes for tonight’s dance are here: deep dive 17
Caller
David Smukler
David Smukler leads evenings of contras and squares, English country dances, family dances, school programs, and special events such as weddings, festivals, etc. He has also presented workshops on numerous dance related topics. His taste in dances is eclectic, and he presents a wide variety of dances. His repertoire includes plenty of New England contras, as well as an assortment of squares, singing calls, mixers, old chestnuts and freshly minted dances. He has a special fondness for English country dances, and his English programs also blend old favorites with new gems.
David grew up singing folk songs with his mom and began dancing contras in New Hampshire as a teen. In 1981 he was drafted to call for his local dance and has been calling ever since. David calls contras and squares, English country dances, and family and community dances, and is also a choreographer.
David is a retired inclusive early childhood and childhood educator who has also taught for years at the college level in a teacher preparation program. He has frequently used dance and song in his teaching, both with children and adults, sometimes to the great surprise of his students. A teacher through and through, David believes that people can always learn and grow. While welcoming change and evolution, David has enormous respect for the value of folk traditions and is the author (with David Millstone) of Cracking Chestnuts: The Living Tradition of Classic American Contra Dances, published in 2008 by CDSS.
Band
Laurel Sharp
Laurel Sharp (recorders, whistles and oboe)
Laurel is a true multi-instrumentalist, equally at home with with recorders, pennywhistle, and oboe, and adding variety to any ensemble she works with.