[MR] Dance #1 - Washerwoman's Branle (previously, Calling Musicians & Dancers for Winter Solstice . . .)

[E. L. Wimett]

I'm awfully glad to see your doing the videos and even more glad that you 
are pointing out the regional variations (in some cases codifications of 
years-ago mistakes in reading instructions!).

Many years ago (>25) some friends and I tried something similar as an 
outgrowth of my Day of Dance events in the East, but the technology did not 
work out as well as we would have liked.  (Portability was an issue, for one 
thing.)

I'm really glad to see you working with the options of new technology to do 
this.  (I have this image of a bunch of people with the music and videos on 
MP3 video players refreshing their memories in a corner before going out on 
the floor.  After all, they fit REALLY well in a pouch.)

Alisoun
Trying to remember where she put her Terpsichore hat. . .

-----Original Message----- 
From: Lady Alexandra Scott
Sent: Tuesday, November 09, 2010 4:01 PM
To: atlantia at atlantia.sca.org
Subject: [MR] Dance #1 - Washerwoman's Branle (previously,Calling Musicians 
& Dancers for Winter Solstice . . .)

Good evening ~


The answer to Lady Murienne's question is yes.  There are many comprehensive
dance resources online.  We are currently filming examples and plan to put 
them
online linked with corresponding music (MP3, sheet, etc.) and written
steps.  Please keep in mind that dancers, including me, hail from different
parts of the world and the interpretation may be slightly different.  This 
does
not make it wrong, just a different interpretation.  In Ansteorra, we did 
things
a bit differently than in Drachenwald.  We have discovered some minor
adaptations were needed with the move to Atlantia, as well.  Consider
it colloquialism.


This first dance is commonly referred to as The Washerwoman's Bransle.  It 
is a
circle dance that is very simple.  So, let's practice it.


Helpful hint:  Don't try to learn several dances in a day.  Listen to the 
music,
practice the simple steps, retain the tune in your mind and dance around 
your
house.  If your knees do not permit the turn, then "step in time."  Dancing
should be fun!  All you Squires should brush up on your steps and invite 
your
Knights to join you on the dance floor.  It's been known to happen.

The video clip shows only 2 dancers and 2 repeats, but I am sure it will do
quite nicely for those of you who wish to practice at home or in limited 
space.
Here is a video clip:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUkwLeNi_YQ, followed 
by
written instructions below.

Resource for more:  http://sca.uwaterloo.ca/Music/

Washerwomen's Bransle (Branle des Lauandieres)
Source: Arbeau.
Setting: A line or circle of dancers
A:  1- 4  Double left, double right.     5- 8  Repeat 1-4.  B:  9-10  Face
partner, single left, right, men shake fingers.    11-12  Repeat with women
shaking fingers.  C: 13-14  Face in, double left, clapping hands,    15-16
double right,    17-18  double left, clapping hands,    19-20  individually 
turn
around to left using 4 kicks.


Discussion:
This is a mimed bransle. Arbeau says (Evans/Sutton translation):
``... is thus designated because by clapping their hands the dancers make a
noise like the women beating the washing on the banks of the Seine.''

Arbeau specifies the finger shaking in the tabulation. When one gender is
shaking their fingers at the other, the other gender should place their 
hands on
their hips.


Stay tuned for more.

Alexandra

_________________________________


Alexandra Scott de Northumberland

Argent, a stag statant and on a chief azure an increscent between two 
mullets of
six points Or

Haus Von Rothenburg
Aire Faucon, Sacred Stone, ATLANTIA




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