Gosti Vikaja (Macedonia)

Gosti Vikaja

Гости Викаја

Pirin, Macedonia

These notes ©2016, Andrew Carnie. The dance was originally taught by Michel Cartier and was also taught by Dick Crum.  The version I learned from Gerry Spinks, which is in the video I have linked below is noted below. Michael Cartier's version is slightly different. You can find a link to his notes below as well.

Music: Folk Dancer, MH110; Folk Dancer LP1.
Meter: 7/8 counted as SQQ
Formation: Open circle, hands in W position. Lead to the right.
Introduction: None

This is the way Gerry does it. Michael Cartier's notes are different!

Bar 1: Facing slightly R of center, Step R to R (S), Čukče on R (Q), Cross L over R (Q)
Bar 2: Step R to R (S), Lift L in front (QQ)
Bar 3: Step L to L (S), Lift R in front (QQ)
Bars 4-6: repeat bars 1-3
Bars 7-12: repeat bars 1-6 (for a total of 4 lesnoto steps in bars 1-12)
Bar 13: Step on R to R (S), Touch L heel forward with toe pointed out to L (QQ)
Bar 14: Swing L toe inward, keeping L heel on the ground (S), Swing L toe out again, heel stays on ground (QQ)
Bars 15-16: repeat bars 13-14 with opposite footwork.

Other notes on the web:

• Cartier's version: Page 78 of the (1960) Stockton Folk Dance Camp Syllabus

Tucson Video

Lyrics

From Cartier's original notes. The music we have is an instrumental version only
Gosti vi Kajat gorno no male
Idam nejdam, Idam nejdam
Stebe ne idam sama ke dojdam

Gosti vi Kaja gorno me male
Idam nejdam, Idam nejdam
Stebe Nejdam šo ke mi činiš

You are invited, maybe I will go, Maybe I will not.

Also spelled: Викайа

Read More

Primavera En Salonico (Sephardic/Greece)

Primavera En Salonico 

Sephardic/Greece

These notes ©2016, Andrew Carnie. Choreographed by Steve Kotansky, who based the steps on a Greek Zeibekikos.  The song is sung in Ladino.  The title means "Spring in Thessalonika"

Music: Primarvera en Salonico is the name of the group and the song. It appears on Savina Giannatou's album Spring in Salonico (1994)  track B6 (LYRA 4756), Track 16 on the CD.  (https://youtu.be/UQnGeNOdeuY)
Meter: 17/4 counted as SSSQQSSSQQQ (1,2)(3,4)(5,6)(7)(8)(9,10)(11,12)(13,14)(15)(16)(17)
Formation:Solo dancers in a circle
Introduction: During bouzouki taxim, walk forward in a circle.  Start the dance immediately when the regular beat starts.

Bar 1: in LOD step R (S),  L (S), R (S); Rock back in RLOD on L (Q), Rock forward in LOD on R (Q); Grapevine: Cross L over R (S), Turn to face center, step R to R (S), Step on L behind R (S); Sway to the R on R (Q), Sway to the L on L (Q), Sway to the R on R (Q) [Alternately the last three quicks can be done as a sway on R (Q),  pause (Q), and a hop on R turning to face RLOD, and lifting L up behind R calf (Q)]
Bar 2: repeat bar 1, with opposite footwork and direction (moving in RLOD)
Bar 3: Into the center step R (S), L (S), R (S);  Rock onto L into the center (Q), Rock back out of center on R (Q); Pulling L shoulder back, take 3 steps (LRL) to make a complete CCW circle on the floor arms are up high like the eagle pose in Zeibekikos; facing center sway to the R on R (Q), Sway to the L on L (Q), Sway to the R on R (Q)
Bars 4-6: repeat bars 1-3 with opposite footwork and direction

repeat until the end of the music

Other Notes on the web:

• http://folkdancesac.org/uploads/3/4/8/4/34848615/cfest_2015_steve_syllabus.pdf

Videos on the web 

Because of copyright restrictions on the music these videos can't be embedded 

• Steve Kotansky teaching and doing the dance: https://youtu.be/P_0394BjkWc
• Calgary Folk Dance Fridays Group: https://youtu.be/BSLAMdXunzQ

Lyrics

from the notes on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQnGeNOdeuY

Primavera en salonico

Primavera en salonico
halli al cafe Maslumuna 
nina de ojos pretos
que canta y sona ud.

No me manques, tu Fortuna,
del cafe de Avram Maslum.
Tu quitas los muestros dertes,
que cantas y sonas ud.

El ud tomas en la mano
con gilves y con sacas.
Los tus ojos relucientes 
a mi me hacen quemar.

Άνοιξη στη Σαλονίκη

Άνοιξη στη Σαλονίκη
βρήκα στου Μαζλούμ τον καφενέ
μια κοπέλα μαυρομάτα
που τραγουδάει παίζοντας ούτι.

Αχ, Φορτούνα, μη μου λείψεις
από του Αβράμ Μαζλούμ τον καφενέ.
Εσύ διώχνεις τους καημούς μας
που τραγουδάς και παίζεις ούτι.

Το ούτι παίρνεις στο 
χέρι σουμε νάζια και καμώματα.
Τα μάτια σου τα φωτεινά
μεγάλη μ'άναψαν φωτιά.

Also spelled: Salonika

Read More

Klapok - Ada's Version (Poland)

Klapok (Ada's Version)

Poland

These notes ©2016, Andrew Carnie. Originally taught by Ada Dziewwnaowska, who learned it from Irena Kik. She also notes that there is a description in the book by Grażyna Dąbrowska (1980) Taniec ludowy na Mazowszu. Richard Schmidt also taught a slightly more complicated version. The dance name come from "klapać", to clap.

Music: XM-46755 "Easy Dances form Poland" (Ada Dziewanowska)
Meter: 2/4
Formation: Couples in a circle, M with back to the middle. Couples are in Ballroom hold to start.
Introduction: 4 bars, no action

Part 1: Polkas

Bars 1-7: take 7 polka steps turning CW, but moving forward in LOD (CCW). M start L foot, W start R.
Bar 8: Jump on both feet.
Bars 9-15: take 7 polka steps turning CCW, and moving in RLOD (CW). M start R foot. W start L
Bar 16: repeat bar 8

Part 2: Claps

Bar 1; Drop hands and face partner. Clap own thighs (1), Clap own hands (2)
Bar 2: Clap R hand against partner's R (1), jump on both feet, hands on hips (2)
Bars 3-4: repeat bars 1-2, except clap L hand against partner's L on count (1) of bar 4.
Bar 5: repeat bar 1
Bar 6: Clap R hand against partner's R (1), Clap L hand against partner's L (2)
Bar 7: repeat bar 1
Bar 8: Clap both hands against partners (1), Jump on both feet, hands on hips (2)
Bars 9-16: repeat bars 1-8

Repeat dance from the beginning two more times, except on the very last count of the dance, bow to partner, leaning agains their hands. 

To do the Dance as a Mixer:

End the polkas in a circle with the M facing LOD and the W facing RLOD. Do clapping sequence with partner as above, except on jump on both feet on count (2) of Bar 8, pull R shoulder back to face person behind you. This is your new partner. Do the repeat of the clapping sequence with this person, and then do the polka with them.

Other Notes on the web

• http://www.tance.edu.pl/en/dances/show/dance/652
• http://www.tance.edu.pl/en/lessons/show/dance/652
• Dziewanowska (1993) Polish folk Dance Workshop - Miami Valley
• Page 37 of (1983) Stockton Folk Dance Camp
• Page 93 of (2004) Stockton Folk Dance Camp (Richard Schmidt's version) 

Bill and Karen Faust's Fayetteville Video

Other videos on the web

Other Sources

• Dziewanowska, Ada (1997) Polish Folk Dances and Songs: A step by Step Guide. Hippocrene books

Read More

Le Capitaine Trompeur (Quebec)

Le Capitaine Trompeur

Québec Canada

These notes ©2016, Andrew Carnie

Music: Any French Canadian Reel
Meter: 2/4
Formation: Circle of couples, facing center. W is on the R. Hands in W position. There is an extra person "le Capitaine" in the middle.

Introduction:

Bars 1-4, circle to the L
Bars 5-8: circle to the R
Bars 9-16: swing for 16 counts. (note that this is not the same as what France's notes say)

Dance Sequence:

Bars 1-8 : The capitaine jigs around the center, doing improvisational steps. The other dancers rest.
Bars 9-16: The capitaine dances around and interweaves around the other dancers. He/She selects a new partner.
Bars 17-24: Everyone swings, the capitaine's new partner's old partner just stands and waits.
Bars 25-32: Everyone promenades, the capaitaine, his/her new partner, and the old partner promenade as a trio. The new capitaine moves into the middle to start the dance again.

repeat from the beginning. 

Other notes on the web

• Page 36 of the 1985 Laguna Folk Dance Festival

Bill and Karen Faust's Fayetteville Video

Other Sources

• Bourque-Moreau, France (1986) type written dance notes. Maine Folk Dance Camp.

Read More

Jacok - Faust's version (Poland)

Jacok (Faust's version)

Poland

These notes ©2016, Andrew Carnie. One version of this was taught by Jaček and Bozena Marek. The version below is different from the version they taught -- it only has 4 parts, whereas the Mareks' version has 6 parts. The dance is from the Rzeszow region.

Music: Marek "Dances of Poland"
Meter: 2/4
Formation: Couples facing LOD, M on the inside. M's R hand around W's waist, W's L hand on M's R shoulder.
Introduction: 2 bars no action.

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

Basic Footwork (unless otherwise noted)

Bar 1: Step O, I, O, bounce on O
Bar 2: Step I, O, I, bounce on I

Part 1 (Melody A)

Bar 1: facing center, do one basic step (OIO) into the center on the diagonal R
Bar 2: Do one basic (IOI) backing out to diagonal R
Bar 3: repeat bar 1
Bar 4: Make a complete CW turn as a couple, M dancing forward, W backing up.
Bars 5-7: repeat bars 1-3
Bar 8: Jump on both feet (1) Lift woman up on M's hip (2,3), making a complete CW turn. land on both (4)
Bars 9-16: repeat bars 1-8

Part 2 (Melody B)

Bars 1-7: putting hands on hips (thumbs pointing back and elbows slightly forward). Form a single file with W in front of M all facing LOD.  Walk forward with 7 basic steps.
Bar 8:  W pull her R shoulder back to face partner, Stepping I then touching O heel forward. Man does the same footwork but stays facing LOD
Bars 9-16: repeat bars 1-8

Part 3 (Melody A)

repeat the footwork of part 1.

Part 4 (Melody B)

Use the same footwork and hand position as part 2, and continue to move forward in LOD. However, each makes a solo full turn every two bars. W turns CW, M turns CCW.

Other Notes on the web

• Marek Version: Page 115 of (1986) Stockton Folk Dance Festival

Bill and Karen Faust's Fayetteville Video

 Other Sources

• Marek, Jaček and Bozena Marek (1997) Dance Poland. Self published.

Read More

Margaret's Waltz (England)

Margaret's Waltz 

England

These notes ©2016, Andrew Carnie. Choreographed by Pat Shaw.

Music: Any nice English waltz will work, but Pat Shaw did write a tune specifically for this dance.
Meter: 3/4
Formation: Sicilian Circle (Couple facing couple in a circle around the room; W is on M's R)
Introduction: Depends upon the recording, but typically a chord, where you bow to your partner.

Bars 1-2: Every one start R throughout. Holding nearer hands with partner. Take two waltz steps forward towards opposite.
Bars 3-4: Take two waltz steps retiring away from opposite
Bars 5-8: Allemand R with opposite
Bars 9-12: Allemand L with partner
Bars 13-16: Ladies 1/2 chain (Ladies give R hands to each other crossing over. Do a courtesy turn with opposite M)
Pars 17-18: As couples advance to the R diagonal to end L shoulder with other couple, stepping R (1) close L (2,3), then R (1), touch L next to R (2,3)
Bars 19-20: As couples advance two waltz steps to the diagonal L to end back to back with other couple, stepping L (1) close R (2,3), then L (1), touch R next to L (2,3)
Bars 21-24: Drop hands and pull R shoulder back to face other couple. Do a R hand star (aka R hands across) 3/4 of the way around to end in original position, with 4 waltz steps
Bars 25-28: Dosido opposite with 4 waltz steps
Bars 29-32: In ballroom position, waltz partner around in a CCW circle exchanging places with opposite couple. Open up to face new couple.

repeat the dance progressing with partner around the room to a new couple each time.

Other notes on the web

• http://www.patshaw.info/dances/#margaret
• http://www.folkdance.com/LDNotations/MargaretsWaltz1966LD.pdf
• http://www.patshaw.info/Dance%20Notations/Margaret's%20Waltz.pdf
• Page 28 of (1965) Stockton Folk Dance Syllabus
• Page 99 of (1966) Stockton Folk Dance Syllabus
• Page 67 of (2011) Stockton Folk Dance Syllabus

Bill and Karen Faust's Fayetteville Video

Other videos on the web

Sheet Music:

• http://www.blackflute.com/music/tunes/waltzes/margwalz.html
• https://thesession.org/tunes/1678
• http://www.traditionalmusic.co.uk/american-mandolin-tab/margarets_waltz.htm
• http://www.traditionalmusic.co.uk/old-time-music/006557.HTM
• http://tippleflutes.com/tunebook-with-sheet-music-and-mp3-audio/
• http://100fiddletunes.com/margarets-waltz
• Pixton, Tom (n.d.) The Pinewoods collection

Other sources

• Barclay, Les and Ian Jones (2015) Community Dances Manual. Revised Edition. English Folk Dance and Song Society. 
• Shaw Pat (1986a) The Pat Shaw Collection Book 2, Kaap Press 

Read More

Otanav - Mayroume - Օդանավ (Armenia)

Otanav (Mayroume)

Օդանավ

Armenia

These notes ©2016, Andrew Carnie. This is a modern choreography by Gegik Mkhitaryan, the director of the Nor Nork dance studio in London. It is apparently based on Mayroume. I learned it at Calgary Folk Dance Fridays. The first part of the music is a song about Arto Tunçboyacin's children, the second part "Otanav" is a song about joining him on an airplane on the way to Armenia.  Mayroume is the second dance in the suite commonly done after Daronee. But to be honest, I don't see the connection between the Mayroume done in Daronee and the dance described here.

Music: Arto Tunçboyacıyan - Ara Dinkjian "Balantin, Seto, Otanav". Album: Tears of Dignity
Meter: 4/4
Formation: Open circle, start facing LOD,. Start with hands held, L hand in small of own back. Leads to the R
Introduction: Start with singing

Part 1

Bar 1: Walk in LOD: R (1,2), L (3,4)

Bar 2: Repeat bar 1

Bar 3: Turn to face center, hands drop to V position. Step R to R (1,2), lift L behind R calf (3,4)

Bar 4: Step  L to L, raising hands to W position (1,2), Lift R in front (3,4)

Bars 5-6: repeat bars 3-4, arms drop to V position on first count of bar 5

Bar 7: Sway on R to R, arms windshield wiper to R (1,2), Sway on L to L, arms windshield wiper to L (3,4)

Bar 8: repeat bar 7

In Calgary, they do an upper body swaying/wave motion raising R shoulder and R elbow when swaying to the R and L shoulder and L elbow when swaying to the L. I didn't teach this in Tucson, instead I substituted a more traditional Armenian windshield wiper movement, where forearms swing to the R and L bent at the elbow. 

repeat this step throughout the "Ba'ntin" and "Seto" verses. When the singing stops, continue doing this step two more times. Then do the transition.

Transition

Bars 1-4: repeat bar 1 of part 1, four times (i.e., 8 walking steps)

These bars are done during the "heavy strumming" part of the music

Part 2

Bar 1: Walk in LOD: R (1,2), L (3,4)

Bar 2-4: Repeat bar 1, three more times

Bar 5: Turn to face center, hands drop to V position. Step R to R (1,2), lift L behind R calf (3,4)

Bar 6: Step  L to L, raising hands to W position (1,2), Lift R in front (3,4)

Bar 7: Sway on R to R, arms windshield wiper to R (1,2), Sway on L to L, arms windshield wiper to L (3,4)

Bar 8: repeat bar 7

This part starts when the "Otanav" verses are sung and is danced all the way to the end. 

Other notes on the web

• http://www.andybettis.com/dance/steps/Otanav.html

Calgary Folk Dance Fridays Video

I don't think the upper body wiggles here can be part of the authentic Mayroume dance, in my own group we've substituted more traditional Armenian windshield wiper arms

Lyrics

These seem to have been transcribed by a Turkish speaker instead of the usual Armenian transliteration. Lyrics are taken from a Youtube video of the song. 

bantin bantin bantinu, inç gllagor bantinu
bantin gerta hağalu, inç gllagor bantinu

bantin bantin bantinu, inç gllagor bantinu
hink hakust meg orı gı pokhes tun bantinu

bantin bantin bantinu, inç gllagor bantinu
mi pokher şad hakust bantin bantin bantinu

bantin bantin bantinu, inç sirun es bantinu
gudam gyankıs kez hamar, inç sirun es bantinu

bantin bantin bantinu, inç gllagor bantinu
bantin gellagor tursı, inç gıllagor bantinu

seto seto ah seto, inç gllagor ah seto
seto knats hağalu ver, inç gllagor ah seto

seto seto ah seto, inç gllagor ah seto
computer game gı hağas ammen orı ah seto

seto canig ah seto, inç gllagor ah seto
şad mi hağar computer game seto canig ah seto

seto seto ah seto, inç sirun es seto
gudam gyankıs kez hamar, inç sirun es seto

seto canig ah seto, inç tsayneren ah seto
nor computer game arir seto canig ah seto

otanav otanav ur gertas otanav
dar mezi otanav, ur gertas otanav

otanav otanav menk guzenk ertal, hayastan otanav otanav otanav
otanavin meçı bantin yev seton ılla, maman yev baban ılla otanav otanav

otanav otanav ur gertas otanav
dar mezi otanav, hayasdan otanav
otanavin meçı deden yev yayan ılla, onnon yev takon ılla otanav otanav

otanav otanav ur gertas otanav
dar mezi otanav, hayasdan otanav
otanavin meçı selin yev aydan ılla, arman yev ardan ılla otanav otanav

otanav otanav ur gertas otanav
dar mezi otanav, hayasdan otanav
otanavin meçı aran yev arton ılla, azkaganners ılla otanav otanav

otanav otanav ur gertas otanav
menk guzenk ertal hayasdan otanav, dar mezi otanav
otanav otanav ur gertas otanav
dar mezi otanav, hayasdan otanav

Also spelled: Mayroumeh, Mayroome

Read More

Învârtită de la Sibiu (Romania)

Învârtită de la Sibiu

Romania

These notes ©2016, Andrew Carnie. Originally taught by Eugenia Popescu-Judetz, also taught by Dave Vinski

Music: Folkraft LP33
Meter: 2/4
Formation: Couples in shoulder/shoulder blade position, or small circles in back basket hold
Introduction: No introduction

Part 1

Bar 1: Facing center, Step R to R (1), Close L next to R  (2), Step R to R (&)
Bar 2: Close L next to R (1), Step R to R (&), Close L next to R, no weight! (2)
Bars 3-4: repeat bars 1-2 with opposite footwork and direction
Bars 5-8: repeat bars 1-4

Part 2

Bar 1: facing slightly R of center, Stomp on R in LOD (to R) (1), Cross L in front of R -- beginning a buzz step (2), Step R in LOD (&)
Bar 2: Push off on L in front of R (buzz) (1), step R in LOD (&), Buzz on L (2), turning to face center, step on R to R stopping the swing or buzz (&)
Bars 3-4: repeat bars 1-2 with opposite footwork and direction
Bars 5-8: repeat bars 1-4

Part 3

If in couples, turn so that L hip is next to L hip. If in circles face slightly R of center
Bar 1: walk R (1) L (2) forward/in LOD (if in couples turning CCW around each other, if in circle moving forward in LOD.
Bar 2: continuing in the same direction, Hop on L (1), Step forward on R (&), Step forward on L (2), pause (&)
Bar 3: still moving in the same direction, hop on L (1), step forward on R (&), step forward on L (2) Step forward on R (&)
Bar 4: Step forward on L (1), pause (&) hop on L (2), step forward on R (&)
Bar 5: Step forward on L (1) pause  (&) Hop on L (2), step forward on R (&)
Bar 6: Step forward on L (1) step forward on R (&), Step forward on L (2), pause (&)
Bar 7: repeat bar 2
Bar 8: repeat bar 3, turning to face RLOD or CW on last R step. If in couples R hip is now next to R hip.
Bars 9-16: repeat bars 1-8 with opposite footwork and direciton

Repeat dance from the beginning

Other Notes on the Web

• http://www.folkdance.com/LDNotations/InvirtitaDeLaSibiu1971LD.pdf
• OFDA's Kernerman PDF syllabus collection 
• Page 89 of Stockton Folk Dance Camp Syllabus (1971) 

Sheet music:

• Pixton (2004) The Pinewoods Collection 2nd edition 

Other Sources

• Vinski, David 1986 Maine Folk Dance Camp 
• Casey (1981) International Folk Dance USA 

Also spelled: Invirtita, Învirtita

Read More