Kentucky Mountain Square Dancing
Written in 1949 and republished many times, this is a vital reference for anyone interested in southern Appalachian dance. Patrick Napier was a well-known dance leader at the Christmas Country Dance School in Berea, Kentucky, and this is his compilation of dance figures from eastern Kentucky. It is a PDF file available for download (easier reference) from the electronic library of Country Dance and Song Society.
Napier presents scores of figures in detailed descriptions and diagrams. He differentiates between figures for the Big Set (a large circle with many couples who then interact in pairs) and the Running Set, a four-couple square. Among the figures described:
Big Set
Arkansas Girl (Swing your Ma)
Cage the Bird
Double Bow Knot
Eight Hands 'Cross (California Show Basket)
Four-Leaf Clover
Lady 'Round the Lady
Mountaineer Loop
Old Side Door
Swing at the Wall
Take a Little Peek
Running Set
Around the World
* Grapevine Twist
Shoot the Owl
Up Town and Back
Wild Goose Chase
Those interested in southern Appalachian dance will enjoy the videos on this website called by Bill Ohse and Phil Jamison.
* A search for "Grapevine Twist" in this project's digital collection will return references, audio clips, and video clips showing that figure, including Elizabeth Burchenal's silent footage from the 1930s. Similarly, examples of many other figures can be found by using the SEARCH or ADVANCED SEARCH function.
Subjects: Southern / Appalachian / Big sets, Southern / Appalachian / Four-couple squares, Southern Appalachian - general
Tags: big set, Kentucky, Kentucky Mountain Square Dancing, Kentucky running set, Patrick Napier, running set, set running
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Written in 1949 and republished many times, this is a vital reference for anyone interested in southern Appalachian dance. Patrick Napier was a well-known dance leader at the Christmas Country Dance School in Berea, Kentucky, and this is his compilation of dance figures from eastern Kentucky. It is a PDF file available for download (easier reference) from the electronic library of Country Dance and Song Society.
Napier presents scores of figures in detailed descriptions and diagrams. He differentiates between figures for the Big Set (a large circle with many couples who then interact in pairs) and the Running Set, a four-couple square. Among the figures described:
Big Set
Arkansas Girl (Swing your Ma)
Cage the Bird
Double Bow Knot
Eight Hands 'Cross (California Show Basket)
Four-Leaf Clover
Lady 'Round the Lady
Mountaineer Loop
Old Side Door
Swing at the Wall
Take a Little Peek
Running Set
Around the World
* Grapevine Twist
Shoot the Owl
Up Town and Back
Wild Goose Chase
Those interested in southern Appalachian dance will enjoy the videos on this website called by Bill Ohse and Phil Jamison.
* A search for "Grapevine Twist" in this project's digital collection will return references, audio clips, and video clips showing that figure, including Elizabeth Burchenal's silent footage from the 1930s. Similarly, examples of many other figures can be found by using the SEARCH or ADVANCED SEARCH function.