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Dance Hutton's Unconformity 21150

Strathspey · 32 bars · 4 couples · Longwise - 4   (Progression: 3421)

Devised by
Murrough Landon (2022)
Intensity
8400/8800/8888/8888 = 72% (whole dance)
Formations
Steps
  • Strathspey setting, Strathspey travel
Online Sources
Recommended Music
Extra Info
The dance starts with two chords. On the second chord 3rd woman and 4th man change places so that 1st …

The dance starts with two chords. On the second chord 3rd woman and 4th man change places so that 1st and 2nd couples are facing their partner while 3rd and 4th couples are beside their partner.

This dance commemorates James Hutton (1726–1797) one of Scotland’s foremost scientists who is considered the founder of modern geology. He was one of the first to realise that weathering of rock formations showed the Earth was far older than was assumed at the time. Most famously he found several “unconformities” where strata of sedimentary rocks clearly overlaid older strata at a very different angle indicating that the older rocks must have been raised up from the sea bed, turned over so the strata were vertical, then sunk again and later covered with new sedimentary layers and raised up a second time.

The cross, cast off and dance down figures indicate build up of the sedimentary layers (perhaps silt carried by rivers and falling to the sea floor). These are compressed when 1st and 2nd couples end closer together by bar 16 than at bar 9. The rock layers are turned in bars 17–24. The last figure has a hint of more sedimentation but is mainly oriented across at the top and up/down at the bottom like a typical unconformity.

For more information about unconformities see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hutton%27s_Unconformity. One of the notable unconformities in Scotland is on the island of Arran. See http://www.arrangeopark.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Walk_Leaflets/1.%20Hutton.pdf and https://www.scottishgeology.com/best-places/isle-of-arran/.

Hutton's Unconformity 4/4L · S32

On 2nd chord, 3W & 4M change places so 3c & 4c are beside partner

1–
1c cross RH | cast off (2c up) ; 1c dance down (3M+4M up) | cast to 4pl (3W+4W up) while{4} 2c cross RH | cast off (3M+4M up)
9–
1c followed by 2c dance down (3W+4W up [11–12]) ; 2c followed by 1c dance up to 3pl & 4pl
17–20
3c+4c & 2c+1c ½ Circle4 to L | all turn P BH & reform circles
21–24
3c+4c & 2c+1c ¾ Circle4 to R, all end facing P: 4c & 3c across, 2c & 1c up/down
25–28
4c cross RSh | cast off & join NH facing up while{4} 3c A&R{1+1} | cross up LSh & face down NHJ while{4} 2M+1M & 2W+1W A&R{1+1} up/down | ½ turn P BH to sides facing across & keeping NHJ
29–32
3c+4c S&Link across while{4} 2c+1c S&Link on sides (M side: 3M,4M,2M,2W; W side: 3W,4W,1M,1W)
Hutton's Unconformity 4/4L · S32

2 chords: 2nd chord 3L & 4M change places to be beside partner

1-8

1s cross RH & cast (2s step up); 1s dance down between 3M+4M (who step up), cast behind 3L+4L (who step up) to 4th place opp side while 2s cross RH & cast to 2nd place as 3M+4M step up. [Men’s side: 3M,2L,3L,1L; Ladies’ side: 4M,2M,4L,1M]

9-16

1s followed by 2s dance down (3L+4L step up 11-12); 2s followed by 1s dance up to 3rd/4th place

17-20

3s+4s also 2s+1s circle 4H 1/2 round to left (2 bars), turn partner 2H [Men’s side: 4L,4M,1M,2M; Ladies’ side: 3L,3M,1L,2L]

21-24

3s+4s also 2s+1s circle 4H 3/4 round to right, retain hands with neighbour & face partner, 4s+3s at top, 1s+2s Men facing down Ladies facing up

25-28

4s cross passing RSh, cast & face up NHJ while

3s Adv+Ret (1 bar each), cross up passing LSh & face down NHJ while

1s+2s Adv+Ret up/down (1 bar each) & 1/2 turn partner 2H, retain NH facing in

29-32

3s+4s Set+Link across back to own sides while 1s+2s Set+Link on sides [Men’s side: 3M,4M,2M,2L; Ladies’ side: 3L,4L,1M,1L]

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Watch on YouTube

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London Gay Gordons & Friends, 2022

Added on: 2022-10-24 (Murrough Landon)
Quality: Good

NameDateOwnerLast changed
GOD Gathering - Kirkhill Community Centre - Sun 8th January 2023 2023-01-08 Derek Darnell Jan. 1, 2023, 7:18 p.m.
ML Video Session 17 2022-10-16 Murrough Landon May 26, 2023, 1:17 a.m.
Cambridge RonDancing 2022 Murrough Landon July 3, 2023, 1:09 a.m.

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