The Virginia reel is a folk dance that dates from the 17th century. Though the reel may have its origins in Scottish country dance and the Highland reel, and perhaps have an even earlier origin from an Irish dance called the Rinnce Fada, it is generally considered to be an English country dance. The dance was most popular in America from 1830 to 1890.
The Virginia reel was a popular dance, with slight regional variations. This has given rise to a large number of dances called the Virginia reel, all of which share certain similarities, such as the reel figure, in which the dancers at the head of the line alternately swing each other and the other dancers in the line.
History
According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, the Virginia reel stems from the Rinnce Fadha, a pre-Christian Irish dance. It evolved into the English dance called the Sir Roger de Coverley. English colonists brought the dance to Virginia and the Sir Roger de Coverley in time became the Virginia reel.
See also
- List of Scottish country dances