Instructions For The Winespring Reel

Author: Eleyan Al'Landerin

The following dance is simple and is based on the reel described in The Eye of the World . We attempted to recreate the dance as faithfully as possible. Unfortunately, the dance cannot be done as described in the straight lines indicated in the chapters. Therefore, the major discrepancy between this dance and the version in the books is the formation of dancers in a Wheel (which is most common in reels anyhow). The books indicate the dance begins with reeling one's partner and switching to another, the following by a promenade that completely changes partners. Promenades do not, by their very nature, change partners. This has been replaced by a do se do. We did all in our power to recreate the dance in the spirit indicated by the author, rather than his use of terminology, which was, at best, questionable.

Partners stand in two circles, men on the inside, and women on the outside. Dancers bend knees in rhythm while waiting for melody to start.

http://www.the-muses.net/tower/step1.bmp

Four counts partners come in to meet each other half way, and four counts to bow or curtsy.

http://www.the-muses.net/tower/step2.bmp

Four counts partners return to their original position and four counts to turn themselves in place clockwise.

http://www.the-muses.net/tower/step3.bmp

Next four counts each partnership again approaches each other, and then they spin their partner for four counts clockwise (right hand on partners waist and left hand in the air)

http://www.the-muses.net/tower/step4.bmp

Partners are then switched for four counts (men go counter clockwise, women go clockwise) and reach for the waist of their next partner, and swing them for four counts.

http://www.the-muses.net/tower/step5.bmp

All Dancers now execute a do se do, or a passing of partners indicated by putting forth first your right hand, then your left, grabbing a partners hand and then pulling then past you to the next person. The effect looks a bit like the two lines weaving in and out. This is done for 8 counts (or four partner passes). The final formation looks as follows:

http://www.the-muses.net/tower/step6.bmp

Partners then take four counts to step back, and four counts to bow before starting again.

http://www.the-muses.net/tower/step7.bmp

Dance Steps Divided into Eight count Format

1-8 Bend knees in rythym while waiting for main melody to start.
1-4 Walk in to partner
1-4 Bow our curtsy to partner
1-4 Back away from partner to original position
1-4 Turn yourself around in place clockwise
1-4 Walk into Partner and place right hand on partners waist, left hand in the air
1-4 Spin partner in a clockwise direction.
1-4 Pass your partner on to the next person (men go counter-clockwise, women go clockwise)
1-4 Swing new partner clockwise.
1-8 All Dancers execute a Do Se Do (men counter clockwise, women clockwise)
1-4 Back away from new Partner
1-4 Bow to New Partner.

Begin again from the top until you are so dizzy that you fall down!!!!