St Matthew's Guild

Plague Rat Dancers

Headed by: Lola

Come and learn the ancient art of English and Scottish country dance with the "Plague Rat Country Dancers."
The Plague Rat Dancers are St. Matthew's Guild's English and Scottish Country dance troupe. Good news, we're coming off of hiatus. Now don't worry if you've never danced before, experience is not required. All that is required is the ability to count to four and the willingness to show up and participate at practice.
We meet on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of every month, at 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm at Lola's house. Our goal for the coming Faire season is to be able to perform a street set or two at each of the Faires that we attend. So hope to see you there!

Dances

Scottish dances can be found at dance

Rufty Tufty • Hearts Ease • Greenwood • Stingo

Rufty Tufty
For four; in three parts

Music	Description
Part One
A 1-4	In a double, and back.
5-8	That again.
B 1-4	Partners set and turn single.
5-8	That again.
C 1-2	Take your partner out a double.
3-4	Bring your partner back to place.
5-6	All turn single.
7-8	Take your corner out a double.
9-104	Bring your corner back to place.
11-12	All turn single.
Part Two
A 1-4	Partners side with eachother.
5-8	That again.
B 1-4	Partners set and turn single.
5-8	That again.
C 1-2	Take your partner out a double.
3-4	Bring your partner back to place.
5-6	All turn single.
7-8	Take your corner out a double.
9-104	Bring your corner back to place.
11-12	All turn single.
Part Three
A 1-4	Partners arm with the right.
5-8	Partners arm with the left.
B 1-4	Partners set and turn single.
5-8	That again.
C 1-2	Take your partner out a double.
3-4	Bring your partner back to place.
5-6	All turn single.
7-8	Take your corner out a double.
9-104	Bring your corner back to place.
11-12	All turn single.

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Hearts Ease
For four; in three parts

Music	Description
Part One
A 1-4	In a double, and back.
5-8	That again.
B1 1-4	1st man and 2nd woman face down; 1st woman and 2nd man face up. All fall back a double and move forward a double.
5-8	Turn corners with right hand and fall back to places.
B2 1-4	All fall back a double and move forward a double to places.
3-4	Turn partner with left hands.
Part Two
A 1-4	Partners side.
5-8	Corners side.
B1 1-4	1st man and 2nd woman face down; 1st woman and 2nd man face up. All fall back a double and move forward a double.
5-8	Turn corners with right hand and fall back to places.
B2 1-4	All fall back a double and move forward a double to places.
3-4	Turn partner with left hands.
Part Three
A 1-4	Partners arm right.
5-8	Corners arm left.
B1 1-4	1st man and 2nd woman face down; 1st woman and 2nd man face up. All fall back a double and move forward a double.
5-8	Turn corners with right hand and fall back to places.
B2 1-4	All fall back a double and move forward a double to places.
3-4	Turn partner with left hands.

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Greenwood
Longways for six; in six parts
1W 2M 3W
1M 2W 3M

Music	Description
Part One
A1 1-4	Up a double, and back.
5-8	Partners set and turn single.
A2 1-4	Sides out a double, and back.
5-8	Partners set and turn single.
A3 1-4	2M sides 2W, 1M sides 3M, 1M sides 3W
5-8	Partners set and turn single.
A4 1-4	1M sides 2W, 2M sides 1W, 3M sides 3W
5-8	Partners set and turn single.
A5 1-4	2M sides 3W, 3M sides 2W, 1M sides 1W
5-8	Partners set and turn single.
Part Two
A1 1-4	Up a double, and back.
5-8	Partners set and turn single.
A2 1-4	Sides out a double, and back.
5-8	Partners set and turn single.
A3 1-4	2M arm right 2W, 1M arm right 3M, 1M arm right 3W
5-8	Partners set and turn single.
A4 1-4	1M arm right 2W, 2M arm rightt 1W, 3M arm right 3W
5-8	Partners set and turn single.
A5 1-4	2M arm left 3W, 3M arm left 2W, 1M arm left 1W
5-8	Partners set and turn single.
Part Three
A1 1-4	Up a double, and back.
5-8	Partners set and turn single.
A2 1-4	Sides out a double, and back.
5-8	Partners set and turn single.
A3 1-4	Each file hands-three
5-8	Partners set and turn single.
A4 1-4	1 Couple and 2M hands-three; 3 Couple and 2W hands-three
5-8	Partners set and turn single.
A5 1-4	1 Couple and 2W hands-three; 3 Couple and 2M hands-three
5-8	Partners set and turn single.
Part Four
A1 1-4	Up a double, and back.
5-8	Partners set and turn single.
A2 1-4	Sides out a double, and back.
5-8	Partners set and turn single.
A3 1-8	Each file hey, 2M facing 1W, 2W facing 3M
A4 1-8	1W moves between 1M and 2M, hey 2M passing 1W by right; 3M moves between 2W and 2M, hey 3M passing 2W by right
A5 1-8	1M moves between 1W and 2W, hey 1M passing 2W by left; 3W moves between 2M and 3M, hey 3W passing 2M by Left
Part Five
A1 1-4	Up a double, and back.
5-8	Partners set and turn single.
A2 1-4	Sides out a double, and back.
5-8	Partners set and turn single.
A3 1-4	Three men go hands-three round 2W
5-8	Partners set and turn single.
A4 1-4	Three women go hands-three round 2M
5-8	Partners set and turn single.
Part Six
A1 1-4	Up a double, and back.
5-8	Partners set and turn single.
A2 1-4	Sides out a double, and back.
5-8	Partners set and turn single.
A3 1-8	2W fall back; 3 Men hey, 2M facing 3M pass by right
A4 1-8	2M fall back; 3 Women hey, 2W facing 1W pass by right
A5 1-4	Up a double, and back.
5-8	Partners set and turn single.

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Stingo
Longways for six; in three parts

Music	Description
A1	Back a double Up a double
B1	Men's right hand star all set and turn Women's left hand star all set and turn
A2	Siding Siding
B2	Lines slip left then right Hey Lines slip right then left Hey
A3	Arm right Arm left
B3	Top couple, two hand cross places with each other while 2nd and 3rd couple face up the set Top couple set facing 2nd couple; set through Top couple cast up and back to place, one hand cross Top couple cast away , cross each other, two hand switch, spin out Cast down (2nd and 3rd couples follow, first and third couples swap places)
Ususally done through twice (as first and third couple switch) Honor your partner

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Rufty Tufty • Hearts Ease • Greenwood • Stingo
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