The breakdown, or eight hand reel

File: macinnislargus-oh-breakdowns_M.mp3

Speakers:

LM – Largus MacInnis

KP – Curator Ken Perlman

.LM An odd time the old folks would get up and they'd dance what they called a "breakdown."

KP And what was that like?

LM It was all stepdancing.

KP Can you describe it?

LM It was generally four couples got up, and they'd face their partner and dance and then two couples would dance across the room and back. And then the two end couples would do the same, and they'd keep on dancing.