Paraliakos (pah-rah-lee-ah-KOHSS) was learned by Lee Otterholt from Giorgios Lelakis in the mid to late 90’s. Mr.
Lelakis was a well known Cretan dance teacher. “Paraliakos” means “by the seaside” and Mr. Lelakis calls the dance
“the beach dance.” Mr. Lelakis believes the dance resembles those like “Gaitenaki rodou.” The melody is sometimes
referred to as “Vrastsera,” a type of boat mentioned in the song test. Lee Otterholt presented the dance at the 2003
Stockton Folk Dance Camp, and at the 2000 at the Laguna Folk Dance Festival institute besides other California venues. Read more…