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Nevskiy Prospekt (Невский Проспект)

A 32-bar strathspey for three couples in a longwise set

1–4

1st couple set and cast off (2nd couple step up).

5–8

1st couple, giving right hands, lead down, crossing over below 3rd couple, and cast up to finish in the middle of the set in second place on opposite sides, facing down in promenade hold. On bar 8, 2nd and 3rd couples dance into the middle to face up in promenade hold.

9–16

2nd, 1st, and 3rd couples dance a circulating 3-couple allemande. On bars 15–16, 1st couple, giving right hands, turn to face dancers in second corners’ places.

17–20

1st couple and dancers in second corners’ places dance corner pass and turn, corners giving both hands to turn. On bar 20, 1st couple dance round each other by the left shoulder to face dancers in first corners’ places.

21–24

1st couple and dancers in first corners’ places dance corner pass and turn, corners giving both hands to turn. On bars 23–24, 1st couple dance diagonally across to second place on own sides.

25–32

3rd, 1st, and 2nd couples dance six hands round and back.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

For the dancers in St Petersburg, who invited me to teach a workshop there in February, 2015. Nevskiy Prospekt is the main thoroughfare in central St Petersburg.

Devised by Anselm Lingnau, Frankfurt Scottish Country Dance Club, February 2015.

The progression in this dance leaves the couples in the order 3, 1, 2 after the first turn. This works in a three-couple set and also in a four-couple set (even though it feels weird). In a seven couple “beg and borrow” set it leads to strange and undesirable results.

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– George Bernard Shaw