Šokačko Malo Kolo (Croatia) ~ Folk Dance Musings

Šokačko Malo Kolo
Croatia

These notes ©2016, Andrew Carnie. Taught by Dick Crum, Michael Ginsburg and others. Steve Kotansky taught a different dance by this name.

Music: FLP1501 "Malo Kolo"
Meter: 4/4: but counted as SQSQS "GET your PAPers HERE" (1&)(2)(&3)(&)(4&)
Formation: Closed circle, alternating men and women. M have hands joined behind W's back, W's hands rest on neighbors shoulders. Alternately it can be done in V position.
Introduction: 6 chords, then start with main melody.

Part 1

facing center
Bar 1: Rock on R to R (S). Hop on R (Q). Step on L to L (S), Hop on L (Q), Step on R next to L (S)
Bar 2: Step on L to L (S). Hop on L (Q). Close R next to L, kicking L forward low (S), Hop on R, lift L up and around to back (reel) (Q). Step on L behind R (S)
Bars 3-8: repeat bars 1-2, three more times (or until leader calls a change, or at the discretion of the individual dancer)

Part 2

Bar 1: Leap on R to R (S), Step on L in front of R (some groups step on L heel, others step on flat foot (Q), Step on R in place (S), Step on L in front of R (Q), Step on R in place (S)
Bar 2: repeat bar 1 with opposite footwork and direction
Bars 3-8: repeat bars 1-2 three more times (or until leader calls a change, or at the discretion of the individual dancer)

Part 3

Bar 1: Cross R over L (S), hop on R (Q), Step back on L (S) Step on R next to L (Q), Step on L next to R (S)
Bar 2: (Rhythm of step changes slightly here): Step on R to R (1&). Hop on R (2&). Step on L to L (3). Step on R behind L (&), Step on L to L (4&).
Bars 3-8: repeat bars 1-2 three more times (or until leader calls a change, or at the discretion of the individual dancer)

Sequence:

Traditionally, as in many Serbian Kolos, individual dancers would do whatever figure took their fancy at the time and would improvise and individual sequence, independent of the dancers around them. In the US, some groups do the dance as a leader called sequence. Others change steps with each change in the music (every 8 bars).

Folk Dance Musings

Sunday, 28 August 2016