Krakowiak (Poland) ~ Folk Dance Musings

Krakowiak
Poland

These notes ©2016, Andrew Carnie. The Krakowiak is from Krakow. The dance is typically done as a stage dance. There are many many many different choreographies all of which use different steps in different orders. This version is the version that Bill and Karen Faust taught.

Music: Victor 25-0977
Meter: 2/4
Formation: Couples in circle. M on the inside, facing partner. Open ballroom position (M's R on W"s waist, L hand up high. W's L on M's R shoulder, R hand holds skirt or also up high.
Introduction: Three beats, no action, then start with main melody.

I = Inside = M's R, W's L
O = Outside = M's L, W's R

Part 1: Sashay

Bar 1: Step on O to O (1), close I next to O (&), Step on O to O (2), close I next to O (&)
Bars 2-7: repeat bar 1, six more times
Bar 8: Step on O to O (1), close I next to O (&), Jump on both feet (2), pause (&)

Part 2: Spin

Bars 1-8: Making a 1/2 turn CCW. M backing up. W dancing forward. Spin using 8 hop step steps (Hop on I (1), Step on O (&), Step on I (2))

Part 3: Polka

Bars 1-8: Using 8 turning (CW) polka steps (start by stepping on O), dance in a CCW direction around

Part 4 Pas-de-basque and clicks

Bar 1-4: Facing center, using 4 pas-de-basque steps (O, I, O, I), dance away from partner, then towards partner, away, together. Free hand sweeps outwards when pas-de-basque to O, and inwards when stepping on I
Bar 5: Hop on I and click O foot in air, while moving into the center, Hop on I and click O foot in the air.
Bar 6: Pas de basque into the center on the O foot
Bars 7-8: repeat bars 5-6 dancing away from the center, with the opposite footwork, I hand is in the air, hold O hand with partner
Bars 9-16: repeat bars 1-8

Part 5: Slide in and out

Bar 1: Slide onto O foot into the center (1) , close I next to O (&), Slide onto O foot into the center (1), close I next to O (&)
Bar 2: repeat bar 1
Bar 3: repeat bar 1
Bar 4: Slide onto O foot into the center (1) , close I next to O (&) Jump on both feet (2) pause (&)
Bars 5-8: repeat bars 1-4 with opposite footwork, sliding away from the center.

Part 6: Brush Step

During this step both M and W do the same footwork. Both start with the R foot free, which you lift after the final jump in part 5
Bar 1: Brush R foot forward (1), Brush R foot back (2)
Bar 2: Step on R in place (1), Step on L next to R (&), Step on R in place (2)
Bars 3-4: repeat bars 1-2 with opposite footwork
Bars 5-8: repeat bars 1-4

Part 7: Swing

As in part 6, both M and W start this step with R foot free. Facing partner, take R hand in R hand and L hand in L hand crossed between partners.
Bars 1-4: Swing around with partner CCW, using a sashay step (slip step), Starting with R foot. End with a jump on both feet on last count .
Bars 5-8: repeat bars 1-4 with opposite footwork turning CW.

Bar 8: Box Step

Bar 1: Drop hands with partner. Travel to your own Right, with two hops on the L, clicking R heel in air on each hop.
Bar 2: Step R (1), L (&), R (2), in place turning a 1/4 to face own right side.
Bars 3-4: repeat bars 1-2 with opposite footwork, moving to own L passing back to back with partner, end facing partner's side, having made another 1/4 turn. R arm is in air.
Bars 5-8: repeat bars 1-4 back to place. Man has to take an extra step so that his L is free for part 9.

Part 9: Sashay

Repeat Part 1

Part 10: Spin

Repeat Part 2

Part 11: Polka

Repeat Part 3, except Roll Women out CW on last bar. End facing center with O hand up in the air.

Other Notes on the web

Bill and Karen Faust's Fayetteville Video

Other Sources

Dziewanowska, Ada. Polish Folk Dances & Songs: A Step by Step Guide. New York: Hippocrene Books, 1999.

Also spelled: Krakoviak, Krakowyak, Cracovienne, Krakauer Tanz

Folk Dance Musings

Saturday, 17 September 2016