Ovčepolsko (ohv-cheh-POHL-skoh), or Ovčepolsko Oro, is a dance form of the northern Ovčepole(sheep’s field) dance region, centered east of the Vardar River approximately 50 kilometers southeast of Skopje. Coinciding roughly with the Ovčepole plain, this is bounded on the northwest by Sveti Nicole, on the northeast by Kratovo, on the […]
Originally taught in the USA by Marianne Herman and Dick Crum. Karapyet is a nickname for people who come from the Caucasus. Dance notes… Alternate Videos
Theodor Vasilescu reconstructed this dance from the musicologist Anton Pann’s description of a hora from Muntenia. The song was published in the Anton Pann Collecton in 1852. The dance is also called “Hora Anton Pann” and very confusingly Hora Veche (which is also the name of a different dance choreographed […]
Taught by Theodor and Lia Vasilescu. Also taught by Nico Hilferink and Daniel Sandu. A different version of this dance by this name was taught by Daniel Sandu. The song this dance is set to was notated by Anton Pann in the mid-19th century. This version of the dance comes […]
Introduced to the US by Rickey Holden. The song was sung by Roger Mgrdichigan and the Gomides Band and released in 1920. There is another dance done to this music called Hooshig Mooshig. Dance notes… Alternate Videos
Originally taught by Theodor Vasilescu. Also taught by Bianca de Jong. The dance was originally called Jianul de la Slanic. Vasilescu renamed the dance Hora Libertatea after the December Revolution of the 1990s. Slănic is name of a town in Muntenia. Dance notes…
Joc batranesc din Niculitel (ZHOHK buh-trah-NESK deen nee-koo-lee-TSEL) was taught by Theodor Vasilescu at the 1995 University of the Pacific Folk Dance Camp in Stockton, California. Joc means “dance,” bAtr&nesc means “ancient” and Niculitel is a village in Dobrogea near the Black Sea. Dance notes…
Razvivaj Dobro freely translates into “may life unfold well” and can be considered a wish for fertility, growth and prosperity. It is a dance song associated with local Lent customs from the Rhodope Mountain Region in Southern Bulgaria. Razvivaj Dobro is a Horovodna Pesen (a song accompanying a dance) and […]
A women’s dance from the region of Goce Delcevv (Nevrokop) done at weddings to the song Zaspala e Fida. Originally taught by Yves Moreau. Dance notes…
A Tropanka variation from the villages west of Varna in Dobrudža taught by Yves Moreau. Dance notes… Alternate Videos
Siriu is the name of a small river crossing the wonderful region of Siriu Mountain. In the local folklore of Buzau region where this river and mountain are to be found, there is also a well-known song and a dance wearing the same name. The dance accompanying the Siriu song […]
Taught by Theodor Vasilescu and Michael Ginsburg. The title means “Romani dance”. Dance notes…
From Prigorje, Croatia. Popularized by the Aman ensemble in Los Angeles. Dance notes…
Introduced by Yoav Ashriel. Also taught by Loui Tucker and Shlomo Bachar. Dance notes…
This version origially taught by Theodor Vasilescu. Also taught by Maurits van Geel and Sunni Bloland. The Motocs taught a different dance by this same name. Dance notes…
Arranged by Bianca de Jong in 2011 out of traditional steps to fit this recording. Taught by Bianca de Jong at the Winter Stockton Folk Dance Camp 2021 and by Roberto Bagnoli at various events.
This belongs to the category of modern, choreographed folk dances such as Ciganskoto or Kupondjisko Horo which are quite popular in the Bulgarian dance movement in Bulgaria and the Bulgarian Diaspora. Dance notes…
De Boca Del Dyo (meaning From the Mouth of God). Introduced by Jim Gold in Judeo/Bosnian folk dance style. Sung in Ladino language. Formation: Open circle, low hands, V position.
Hora din Giurgiuleşti is from the village of Giurgiuleşti in southern Moldova. Hora is a national dance that requires a relatively large group of people to hold hands and form a circle. There can be several circles one inside of the other, all moving in opposite directions. This dance was […]
Oj Ti Momče Ohrigjanče (OY tee MOHM-cheh OH-ree-DJAHN-cheh) translates to “Hey, you Ohrid lad.” Stephen Kotansky learned this dance from Filip Arilon, a musician and dance teacher from Macedonia. The song has been recorded by many recording artists. The dance is a choreography. Stephen Kotansky taught this dance at the […]
Originally taught by Lia and Theodor Vasilescu. From the Banat region, the title translates as “Dance of the Girls”. Vesilescu’s original notes say: “Joc de fete” means dance of girls. Such dances are encountered all over Romania. Originally, they had a ritual meaning as premarital girl dances and they were […]
Originally taught by Theodora and Lia Vasilescu. The title translates as “In John’s Garden.” Dance notes… Alternate Videos
Circle dance from Russia. Danced with a V hold. Introduced by Bianca de Jong at Maine Folk Dance Camp, 1990. Dance notes… Alternate Videos
Taught by Ahmet Lüleci. Not to be confused with the Macedonian dance Arap, although both titles mean “Arab.” Dance notes…
U Kruševo Ogin Gori (In Krusevo a fire burns) was introduced by Dennis Boxell but also has been taught by Yves Morea, Michael Ginsburg, and others. A different dance was taught to the same music by Atanas Kolarovski. The dance Mečkin Kamen is nearly identical but came much later. Dance […]
This is a version of the traditional dance Širto choreographed by Iliana Bozhanova. Dance notes…
Choreographed and taught by Tineke and Maurits Van Geel. The title translates as “life”. Dance notes…
Introduced by Steve Kotansky, this dance is based on steps done in Kastoria Greece by the Sephardic Jewish residents. Dance notes… Alternate Videos
Vikivaki, the national dance of Iceland, is an old ring dance that has been celebrated throughout the Nordic Region from the Middle Ages until today and has been a crucial part of Icelandic society since its earliest times. Dance notes… Alternate Video
Bal in da Straat (BARE uhn dad STRAHT) is a progressive dance from Belgium. It was first written as a round dance by Dot and Date Foster of Decatur, Illinois, under the name “Dancing in the Street” (a literal translation of the Belgian title). The round dance has two progressions […]
This Scottish dance was composed in Canada by Prudence Edwards of Fredericton, NB. It was the winning dance in the competition to select a Scottish country dance to commemorate Canada’s Centennial in 1967. C. Stewart Smith introduced it at the Folk Dance Federation of California, Inc. Statewide Institute, Oakland, California, […]
Originally taught by Edward Gollar, who learned it at the Festival in Uddevala of the Svenska Ungdomsringen fro Bygdekultur Dance notes… Alternate Videos
This dance is popular in upper‑Brittany and is a variant of the Laridé dance type. Presented by Yves Moreau at the 1977 Mendocino Folklore Camp. Dance notes… Alternate Videos
Ersko Kolo (AIR-skoh KOH-loh) was introduced at the University of the Pacific Folk Dance Camp in 1955 by Richard Crum, who learned it in (the former) Yugoslavia. Dance notes… Alternate Videos
Ankeliini (AHN-keh-lee-nee) is a 19th century couple dance from south Finland. It was taught by Jussi Aronen and Lennu Ylaneva at the 1999 Stockton Folk Dance Camp held at the University of the Pacific. Dance notes… Alternate Videos
W Moim Ogródecku (VUH MO-yem oh-gruh-DETS-kuh), also spelled W Moim Ogródeczku, means “In My Garden.” The group that sings this song is Rokiczanka, based in Rokitno near Lubartow in Lubelskie county in Poland. This dance was choreographed and first taught by Ira Weisburd at Margate, Florida in 2014. It has […]
Tzadik Katamar (tsah-DEEK kah-tah-MAR) is translated as “Righteousness shall flourish”. The music is by A. Neiman, the choreography by Jonathon Gabait, and the dance was presented by Shlomo Bachar at the 1973 University of the Pacific Folk Dance Camp. Dance notes…
A variation on the basic Pravo Rodopsko Horo from the region around the town of Čepelare. Observed by Yves Moreau at the Rožen Pee Festival in July 1972. The dance has a typical 10-meas structure which is typical of many Rhodope folk songs. The song used here is Pena e […]
The music of Körtánc (KOOR-tants) is from Nyitra County, now politically part of western Slovakia. The dance was arranged by Kálmán Magyar. It was presented by Kálmán and Judith Magyar at the 1981 University of the Pacific Folk Dance Camp. Dance notes…
Originally taught by Nico Hilferink. Nico taught the dance under both the names Joc Batrânesc and Dado La Dado. Dance notes
Originally taught in the USA by Jaap Leegwater. Dance notes…
This is a member of the large cacak family which comes from the small district of Zaplanje in Eastern Serbia. This version by Dick Crum. Dance notes…
Taught in the USA by Ira Weisburd, Paul Collins, and others. Also taught in Australia by Anke Koelman and Andre van de Plas and taught in the Netherlands by Helena Pauli. Dance notes…
Ketri Ketri (KEH-tree KEH-tree) is a contemporary Gypsy song sung in Rom, the Gypsy language, by Kalyi Jag, a popular Gypsy ensemble living in Hungary. The dance was introducedbly.Steve Kotansky at Mendocino Folklore Camp, ’91, and Stockton Camp, ’94. The steps are based on a slow Coeek of the eriance […]
Originally taught in the US by Eugenia Popescu-Judetz.
Trava Trava (TRAH-vah TRAH-vah) (move on or travel on) was presented by John Filcich at University of the Pacific Folk Dance Camp in 1962. Dance notes…
Originally introduced to folk dancers by Tom Bozegian, who learned it in Detroit, from Jimmy Haboian. One finds the dance variously listed as Turkish, Armenian and Kurdish depending upon the source. Of course these communities all lived together in Eastern Anatolia, so it’s possible that they all did it.Ron Houston’s […]
Ina Ina(EE-nahEE-nah),meaning”Come Come”, is from the Aroman community of Romanian Dobrogea. It was taught by Sonia Dion and Cristian Florescu at the May 10, 2010 Berkeley Folk Dancers’ workshop and at the 2010 Stockton Folk Dance Camp. Dance notes…
Introduced by Maurits van Geel and also taught by Roberto Bagnol and Ira Weisburd. Choreographed by Maurits van Geel in honor of Cristi Catargiu of the Het International Danstheater, who died in a helicopter crash in Australia in 2008. The tune was one of his favorites. Dance notes…
Line dance from South Serbia originally presented by Dick Crum or Anatol Joukowsky. Dance notes…
Taï Taï (TAHY TAHY) of Thessaly, Greece is a specific a cappella song/dance from the village of Aidohonori in the mountains of southern Thessaly. It is performed only once a year, on Easter Monday, and signifies the end of the ritual aspect of the celebration of Easter. Joe Graziosi taught […]
Hopa Hopa (HOH-pah, HOH-pah). Dick Crum first learned this dance in Yugoslavia under the name “Hopa cupa.” It-is a Slavonian (eastern Croatian) variant of a dance known elsewhere in that country as “Zaplet,” “Frugke, jabuke, ” “Vinigko kolo,” etc. Presented by Dick Crum at the 1974 Stockton Folk Dance Camp. […]
Sej Sej Bob (say say bahp), which refers to planting beans, is a type of line-râčenica found throughout Dobrudža under various names: Kucata, Brâsni Cârvul, Pandalaš, etc. It was learned from Liliana Zafirova and Stefan Vaglarov, of Sofia, by Yves Moreau, who taught it at the ’81 and ’97 Stockton […]
Vrni Se Vrni (Ver-nee See Ver-nee) is translated as “Come back, come back”. The dance takes its title from the song which is being sung, in which the rejected lover pleads for his love to return to him. It was introduced by Atanas Kolarovski at the University of the Pacific […]
This dance originates in the village of Alona (formerly Armensko) in the Florina district of the province of Macedonia in northern Greece. Alona is well known for its fine musicians and dancers, as are its neighboring villages of Akritas (Buf) and Kratero (Rakovo) with which it shares common musical and […]
Nola is a novelty dance. Of unknown choreographer, the dance is done frequently among folk dance groups of the Eastern US. Dance notes…
Karoun (kah-ROON), which means ‘springtime’, was presented by Tom Bozigian at the 1973 University of the Pacific Folk Dance Camp. The Armenian youth organization of Los Angeles is its source. Dance notes… Alternate Video
“Shoror” from Shatag. Shoror literally means a to-and-fro movement of the torso. Shorors are, in general, quiet dances and often dances for women. Dance notes…
Brestaška Rŭčenica (breh-STAHSH-kah ruh-cheh-NEE-tsah) is a dance of the Gagauzi (Turkish speaking Christians) from Brestak, Bulgaria. It was learned from Belčo Stanev of Varna, and taught by Steve Kotansky at the 1999 University of the Pacific Stockton Folk Dance Camp. Dance notes…
Jondane Johane originates from Soule and was arranged by Mixel Etxekopar. It has been introduced in the USA by Steve Kotansky, Roberto Bagnoli and Ira Weisburd. This dance and song are performed at the bonfire celebrations on June 23 the day of San Juan Eguna or St. John the Baptist. […]
This sacred circle dance is to a song by Aziza of the Sahrawi people of Western Sahara has two patterns and has its roots in the Greek Syrtos. Formation: closed circle leading to the right in W hand hold. Music Video
Choreographer: Viktor Gabay
Elerinka(eh-lehr-EEN-kah) is a women’s dance from the Pirin Mountains in Bulgaria. It was presentedby Iliana Hristova Bozhanova at the Laguna Folkdancers Festival in 2009. Dance notes… Alternate Video
Kulska Šira (KOOL-skah shee-RAH) was learned by Yves Moreau in 1974. This non-partner dance comes from the region around Kula, a town in N.W. Bulgaria,near the border with Serbia and Romania. It is related to an earlier variation of a Sira taught by M. Moreau in 1972. The dance was […]
In Wales, the dance is a Circassian circle couple dance. In North America, the most common form in International folk dance communities is a circle dance, which was devised by Lois Blake in the 1940s. The version described here is the circle dance version. The title translates as “Lazy Robin” […]
The Charleston Madison is a 3-part line dance popularized by Richard Powers. “Madison” is the generic French term for any line dance (especially their version of the Hully Gully), and this 3-part Charleston line dance is based on a 2-part Charleston line dance that Richard learned in France in 2009. […]
This dance was originally taught by Tom Bozigian throughout the US during the early 1970’s and was learned from Zhora Markarian, director of the California Folkloric Ensemble. Mr. Markarian did the dance as a child in his native region of Speetak, situated in the northern part of Armenia. The dance […]
This dance was arranged and originally taught by Tom Bozigian. Tom learned the first dance as a child attending weddings of members of the Armenian diaspora in the Los Angeles area. Mom Bar means “the candle dance”. The dance has also been widely taught by Lee Otterholt. There are different […]
Oj Dimitro Le (oy dee-MEE-troh leh) is from Northwest Bulgaria that Yves Moreau learned from Belco Stanev. Translation: Oh Dimitra (woman’s name). Presented by Yves Moreau at the 2013 Stockton Folk Dance Camp. Dance notes…
This circle dance (tsah-REE-nah deh lah ah-BROOD) was introduced by Mihai David, former member of the Romanian Folk Ballet, at the 1969 San Diego State College Folk Dance Conference. The word “tarina” means dust or ashes and is interpreted in the dance by the stamping steps in Fig II; “de […]
Novelty US solo line dance. It can also be done in a circle or in couples. The dance music iss “Stepping Out with My Baby” music composed by Irving Berlin and theatrically introduced in the 1948 film Easter Parade with Fred Astaire. Dance notes… Alternate Videos
Originally taught in the USA by Roberto Bagnoli. Also taught by Lee Otterholt. This dance comes from the Gagauz minority in southern Moldova. The Gagauz people are a Turkish-speaking group living mostly in southern Moldova, Ukraine, Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, Brasil, the United States and Canada. The Gagauz are Orthodox Christians. […]
This version of Grad Se Beli originates from Medjimurje, Croatia and was introduced by Željko Jergan. Dance notes…
Devojko Mâri Hubava (DEH-voigh-koh MUHR-ee OO-bah-vah), taught by Yves Moreau at Mendocino Folklore Camps 2002 and 2007, is a basic 10-measure “Pravo” from the Rhodopes, danced to a well known and beloved folk song, in which a young woman and man bemoan their very uncertain future together. Dance notes…
A dance from Bucovina, originally taught by Sonia Dion and Cristian Florescu. The name refers to Opinci, the traditional Romanian Dance shoe. Dance notes… Alternate Videos
Dance Choreographed by Iris M. Mooney. Dance notes… Alternate Videos
Smilyana (smihl-YAH-nah) was choreographed by Daniela Ivanova. She used the melody from the repertoire of a famous Bulgarian singer, Lubka Rondova; the melody was composed by the singer’s mother. The music was arranged by Vladimir Mollov. This is a song between a daughter and her mother. The daughter is to […]
Bučimiš was learned by Dennis Boxell in Bulgaria and presented by him at the 1967 University of the Pacific Folk Dance Camp. There are many possible patterns to this dance. Other patterns have been described by Dick Crum and Bruce Mitchell. Dance notes… Alternate Videos
Posadila Rozu (pah-sah-DEE-lah ROH-zhoo) is a love song of the Don Cossacks of the Don River basin of Southern Russia. Their traditional round dance (khorovod) is slow and easy, danced in a closed circle or open line to the vocal accompaniment of the dancers. The “lyrical” round dances composed during […]
Makazice and Bela Rada are two Serbian dances introduced by Dick Crum at the University of the Pacific Folk Dance Camp in the summer of 1955. Makazice dance notes… Bela Rada dance notes… Alternate Videos