Herbie Gaudreau
Massachusetts caller and choreographer Herbie Gaudreau is perhaps better known in today's contra dance world than in the modern square dance world. Gaudreau created a contra dance that he named the Becket Reel-- many of his dances were named for places-- and this was the location of a popular camp where square dance events were held.
Contra dancers today speak of "Becket formation," which refers to couples standing next to their partnerin long lines , unlike the more traditional formation of standing across from your partner. Although Gaudreau's Modern Contra Dancing was published in 1971, Becket Reel appeared in Ralph Page's Northern Junket magazine in 1959, and Ralph Page says it appeared a year or so before then. [Viewers can scroll down to Additional Files to down the reference in Northern Junket.]
Page writes: "This is a real fine contra, one of the best that Herbie Gaudreau has created. It's different; it's interesting; it's fun to dance, and what more can one expect of a dance? Please don't try it with a beginner group, though it is not a difficult dance. You should have some experience with square dancing and perhaps it will sell a few avid square dancers on the joys and fun of contras.
"It was first danced I believe, at the New England Square Dance Camp in Becket, Mass, the late summer of 1958, and Herbie called it then, the "Becket Reel." Since then, it has been' called the "Bucksaw Contra" by some, and because it has been called by other names than its original I have taken the priviledge of giving it the name "Criss Cross Reel”, a name which seems to me quite apropos of its figures. I predict a long and useful life for it under any name.
"Perhaps this is a good time to say a few words, about Herbie Gaudreau. He is a very talented young man, living, in Holbrook, Massachusetts, a town south of Boston. He has been calling for several years and is extremely well-liked in New England, both as a square dance caller and as an individual. He has made many new friends, for contra dances and will make a lot more. I deem it an honor to count him a friend."
Subjects: Person
Tags: Becket, Herbie Gaudreau, Modern Contra Dancing
Item Relations
| This Item | is related to | Item: Hurry, Hurry, Hurry - Herbie Gaudreau |
| This Item | is related to | Item: I Only Want a Buddy - Herbie Gaudreau |
| This Item | is related to | Item: Camp Becket - child's view of square dance camp |
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Contra dancers today speak of "Becket formation," which refers to couples standing next to their partnerin long lines , unlike the more traditional formation of standing across from your partner. Although Gaudreau's Modern Contra Dancing was published in 1971, Becket Reel appeared in Ralph Page's Northern Junket magazine in 1959, and Ralph Page says it appeared a year or so before then. [Viewers can scroll down to Additional Files to down the reference in Northern Junket.]
Page writes: "This is a real fine contra, one of the best that Herbie Gaudreau has created. It's different; it's interesting; it's fun to dance, and what more can one expect of a dance? Please don't try it with a beginner group, though it is not a difficult dance. You should have some experience with square dancing and perhaps it will sell a few avid square dancers on the joys and fun of contras.
"It was first danced I believe, at the New England Square Dance Camp in Becket, Mass, the late summer of 1958, and Herbie called it then, the "Becket Reel." Since then, it has been' called the "Bucksaw Contra" by some, and because it has been called by other names than its original I have taken the priviledge of giving it the name "Criss Cross Reel”, a name which seems to me quite apropos of its figures. I predict a long and useful life for it under any name.
"Perhaps this is a good time to say a few words, about Herbie Gaudreau. He is a very talented young man, living, in Holbrook, Massachusetts, a town south of Boston. He has been calling for several years and is extremely well-liked in New England, both as a square dance caller and as an individual. He has made many new friends, for contra dances and will make a lot more. I deem it an honor to count him a friend."