Virginia reel (dance) facts for kids
The Virginia reel is a fun and energetic folk dance that has been around for a long time, since the 1600s! Even though it might have started in Scottish country dance or even an Irish dance called the Rinnce Fada, people usually think of it as an English country dance. This dance was super popular in America between 1830 and 1890.
The Virginia reel was a favorite dance, and different places had their own slightly different ways of doing it. This is why there are many versions of the dance called the Virginia reel today. All these versions share some things in common, like the special "reel" part.
Today, the Virginia reel is still danced! For example, students in Finland often dance it at their high school proms, called Vanhojen tanssit.
Contents
How to Dance the Virginia Reel
Here's one common way to dance the Virginia reel. It's a lively and social dance!
Getting Started: The Formation
Dancers usually line up in two long lines. You'll need about 5 to 8 pairs of partners. Partners stand facing each other. Traditionally, boys would be on one side and girls on the other, but it's fine for anyone to be on either side now.
One end of the lines is called the "head," usually closest to the music. The other end is the "foot." The pair at the head of the lines is called the "head couple." The pair at the foot is the "foot couple." This setup is the same for all Virginia reel dances.
The Dance Steps
Here are the main moves you'll do in the Virginia reel:
Head Couple and Foot Couple Moves
- Head lady and foot gentleman forward and back: The lady from the head couple and the man from the foot couple walk four steps towards each other. Then, they walk four steps backward to their starting spots.
- Forward again with both hands round: The head lady and foot man walk forward again. They join both hands and spin around once completely. Then, they go back to their places. After they finish, the head man and the foot lady do the exact same thing.
- Do-si-do: The head lady and foot man walk towards each other. They pass right shoulder to right shoulder, without turning around. They go around each other back-to-back and then walk backward to their spots. The head man and foot lady then do the same. This move is then repeated, but passing left shoulder to left shoulder.
Head Couple Gallop
- Head couple gallops through the aisle and back: The head couple holds both hands. They slide sideways (this is called a "chasse") down the middle of the two lines for four steps. Then, they slide back up to their starting spot at the head of the lines.
The Reel Figure
- Right arm to partner and reel: This is the main part of the dance!
- The head couple links their right arms and turns around one and a half times. This makes the lady face the line of men, and the man face the line of ladies.
- The head lady then turns the second man in the men's line (the one right behind the head man) once around using left arms. At the same time, the head man does the same with the second lady in the ladies' line.
- This continues down the line! The head lady turns the next man, and the head man turns the next lady.
- When the head lady and head man reach the very end of the line, they only turn halfway around. This makes sure the lady ends up on her side of the line and the man on his side.
- The head couple then joins hands across the lines. They slide sideways (chasse) back up to the head of the lines. They let go of hands and get ready for the "march."
The March
- The march: The head couple separates. The man turns outwards and walks towards the foot of the lines, staying behind the men's line. All the other men follow him in a single line. At the same time, the head lady does the same thing on her side, with all the other ladies following her.
- The head couple meets at the foot of the lines and walks together back to the head. All the other couples follow them, staying in their pairs.
- Once everyone is back in their original places, all the couples (except the head couple) join hands and lift them high. This forms a long archway.
- The head couple, holding hands, walks under this archway to the foot of the lines.
- Now, the original second couple becomes the new head couple! The whole dance pattern starts again. This continues until every couple has had a turn being the head couple.
The Basic Step
When you "sashay" (slide sideways) down the middle or when you do the "reel" part, the step often has a little bounce to it. It keeps the dance lively!
Variations of the Dance
As we mentioned, there are many ways to dance the Virginia reel! Here's a common variation:
- When the head couple reaches the foot of the lines, they stop and join both hands to form an arch. The couples behind them then join hands and walk under this arch, moving up the center towards the head position. This leaves the original head couple at the foot, and the second couple now becomes the new head couple.
Another variation is when all couples, not just the head and foot, do the "advance and retire," the "two-hand turn," and the "do-si-do" with their own partners.
Calls for the Dance
Sometimes, a leader will call out the steps. This helps beginners know what to do next. It also helps if there are many groups dancing at once, so everyone stays together.
Music for the Virginia Reel
The Virginia reel is usually danced to lively, old-time reel music. Some popular tunes include Durang's Hornpipe or Old Zip Coon (also known as Turkey in the Straw).
Students at the University of Virginia sometimes dance the reel to songs like 'The Rattlin' Bog' or 'Scotland the Brave.'
See also
- List of Scottish country dances
