The Culver City Collection
A Valentine for Vanessa
A 32-bar Strathspey for 3 couples
Devised by Oberdan Otto
for me dear wife, Vanessa
- 1-8:
- Curving in toward each other, first couple lead down for two steps,
lead back up, cast one place, cross down below third couple and cast up
to second place.
- 9-16:
- Reels of three across the dance with second corner couples, beginning
with first couple giving RIGHT shoulder to second corner's partner, ending
between second corner couple, all facing up or down the dance.
- 17-20:
- All set. As corners change places right hand with opposites up and
down the set, first couple turns right hand 3/4 to end in second place on
own side. All end facing partners across the set.
- 21-24:
- All set. As corners change places with their partners giving right hand,
first couple turns 3/4 with the right hand to end again between their second
corner couples. All end facing up or down.
- 25-28:
- All set. As corners change places right hand with opposites up and down
the set, first couple casts LEFT around first corner positions. All end facing
in on partner's side of set
- 29-32:
- All advance toward partner with one step, then joining crossed hands
(right-in-right over left-in-left), pivot clockwise half-way to change places
with a second step. All are now on own sides in the middle of the set with
crossed hands joined. Using a momentary pause at the end of bar 30 you may
kiss your partner if you are both so inclined. All cast RIGHT into the sideline.
Repeat, having passed a couple.
Note 1: Your second corner couple is your second corner and his/her partner;
similarly for the first corner couple.
Note 2: Cast RIGHT or LEFT means begin the cast by pulling back on the right
or left shoulder respectively.
This dance was originally written as a Jig, but some friends who tried it said
they liked it much better as a StrathspeyÑand I agree. So be it.
© Copyright, 1988, by Oberdan Otto
184 Estaban Drive, Camarillo, CA 93010-1611, U.S.A.
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