Oxford International folk dance group
Traditional dances from Europe and beyond...
Examples of our dances
During the Covid pandemic, we found (or made) videos of some of the dances that we do. Due to the constraints of dancing alone in a small space, or later outside but not holding hands, these dances do not represent the the full range of dances that the group knows. However, it may be helpful if you are new to this type of dance to see the sort of dances and rythmns that we use.
The dances are grouped into ones that are suitable for Zoom, those that are better outside (they need more space but are still individual dances) and then ones requiring partners, but otherwise in no particular order.
Notice to Cossington dancers:
If you would like information in the dances we taught, including ones that are not on this page, please contact us at EIFF@soft-hedgehog.co.uk
Dances for small spaces
- Alunelul (Romania)
- Clear teaching also explains the lyrics at the end (actually on a different occasion and the dance comes again afterwards with better lighting). They hold their hands low (V) whereas we have ours in "W" hold.
- Lively dancing. They use the same recording that we do. They use shoulder hold, which I have never encountered in England.
- Children's stage performance
- Nigun Atik (Israel)
- Dramskoto (Bulgaria)
- Yves Moreau teaching in minute detail
- Kolo Dragan is a clear performance.
- Michanicos (Greece)
- Our video shows the dance as we know it.
- This video probably has the best acting.
- Mavilim (Turkey)
Taught to us by Karin Bellaart at Eastbourne in May 2019- Ahmet Luleci teaches this thoroughly.
- Belasičko (Macedonia)
- This Chinese teacher is clear although rather flat-footed and puts an extra hop at the beginning of the third figure.
- This group is more our style but the photography is poorer.
- Henry Has the same hand movements as us.
- This comprehensive analysis contains written instructions and other information. Beware the second video link (Paul Mulders) and avoid the Israeli teaching one
- Lalica (Bulgaria)
Not a lot on the web for this one- This video shows it as we know it
- Instructions to match
- Raca Plava (Croatia)
We learnt this from Jan Knoppers in Eastbourne 2007. As it was part of a suite of three dances, he only taught the basic dance.- This video shows it as we know it
- Whereas this shows two figures and how the sideways step is supposed to be very bouncy, although we seem incapable of doing it.
- Sulam Ya'akov - Jacob's ladder (Israel)
- This teacher shows the dance in great detail
- This demonstration shows the common variant for the second figure (grapevine rather than Yemenite)
- Melniško (Bulgaria)
Another one from Karin Bellaart at Eastbourne 2019. There are a number of different versions, notably the one that Yves Moreau teaches, but little on our version.- Andrew Carnie provides written instructions and a (rather uninspiring) video of the dance once through
- We made a complete version although there are mistakes near the end
- Makazice (Serbia)
- Žensko za Râka (Macedonia)
There are two reasonable videos of our version of this (others put in step-touch, rather than step-lift/bounce):- A high-resolution video with the teacher and leader mainly from behind, with poor audio
- A low-resolution video with poor lighting but decent audio. Live as well as recorded music and the teacher from the front.
- Rumunjsko Kolo (Serbia)
The SIFD calls this Romansko Kolo and says it is a Romanian dance (which just the meaning of the name).- There was nothing on the web, so we created one ourselves
- Recently, however, there is another version also made in isolation. The first figure differs from our version.
- Esmer (Turkey)
We appear to do this in a different phase to the music than others. We travel in the instrumental and stay on the spot during the vocals- The Israeli Dunav group does not lean back when the foot extends forwards, and some shake their shoulders which no-one else does.
- This social dance you can see from the rear, but others come in front of the camera, which could be confusing.
- Hora Veche (Romania)
There is another (less common) dance of the same name. This one is sometimes known as "Hora Veche 2" as a consequence.- Ira Wiesburd teaches this, but is not particularly visible. The arms do not go high - possibly a limitation of the pupils
- Chinese dancers clearly visible and the arms are good
- Tsadik Katamar [yifrach] (Israel)
"The righteous [shall flourish] like a palm tree" Psalm 92 - La mușată armânâ (Romania)
"The beautiful Aromanian girl". A song in Aromanian- A rather dull but accurate performance
- a more livey but less easy to follow class
- Kruchmarsko (Bulgaria)
This is the pub dance - Google Translate says "pub", but that might be because this dance is the only use of this word! - To Milo (Greece)
(The apple) We learnt this dance from Cristina in Eastbourne 2009.- Good lighting and some calls, but the teacher is hidden by the other dancers quite frequently
- Poor lighting but the leader's feet are followed (possibly a little dizzy-making)
- Lǎmîiţǎ (Romania)
Taught by Silviu. Name means both the Mock Orange (Philadelphus coronarius) or Lemon Verbena.
There is nothing on the internet, so we have created our own - Karamfil (Bulgaria)
Created by Japp Leegwater. The name means Carnation- Chinese class is clear but the turns move a long way
- Staid demonatration although the followers are livelier than the leader
- History, instructions, lyrics etc.
- Orijent (Serbia)
One of the earliest dances to be introduced to the west. The style has changed over the years- Sedate style is probably closest to the original
- More lively with the second figure better, especially the first time through
- 95-year-old still showing excessive energy
- Geamparele (Bulgaria)
This is type of dance rather than one specific, but nothing on the web anything close to our version (from David Mowat) - Cobancat (Albania)
Choerographed by Lee Otterholt this century to a lovely Albanian song "The shepherdesses". The original has hands V all the way through and ends feet together. No-one appears to do this elsewhere!- Spaniard's excellent teaching and dancing
- More usual circle
- Hora Miresii (Romania)
Choreographed around 1990, with a mutation appearing fairly soon afterwards - Hora de la Risipiţi (Romania)
There are many minor variations of this and nothing on the internet is the same as our version. These are the closest- Dancers but the leader (who knows it best) is on the far side of the room
- Instructions and other information
- Ksipna Perdikomata (Greece)
We learnt this dance from Joe Graziosi at the 2020 Texa-Kolo festival. It is the (more sedate and less improvised) women's version of the dance. The Greek spelling of this song's name is Ξύπνα περδικομάτα μου- Dancers from above although they sway in twice rather than once
- Display group eventually gives a decent view of the women's version.
- Drjanovska Racenica (Romania)
A dance from Yves Moreau in 1998 to the song "Izgrjala e mesečinka" (the moon has risen) sung by Trio Bulgarka.
There is another (later) dance of the same name.
There are only two videos showing our version:- View from rear is clear once people have stopped wandering around (about 30s)
- Live band dancers from side which show arms well
- Ahi Vahi (Greece)
Although we had a dance to this tune a long time ago, we have little memory of it, so are doing the one that Joe Graziosi taught at the Texa-Kolo festival in November 2020
The dance can travel to the left, right or alternately (which makes a slightly more interesting dance)- Alternate directions although audience members obsure the view at times
- Two teams one going left, the other right
- Ayumar Behar Hamor (Israel)
Taught by Anne Leach in 2007
There is little on the internet, so we created our own, and then we discovered a good one as well.- Sally teaching
- Sally dancing
- Hebrew teaching and dancing
- Garoon Garoon (Armenia)
- Assoulis (Armenia)
Dance from Tineke van Geel, retaught by her in Stockton 2021 (Zoom)- Exactly as taught front and rear views
- Teaching hands. Should turn when moving forward (beats 5&6) and does not include "hold"
- Malisorka (Macedonia)
Taught by Anne Leach in 2012. She taught some variations, not all of which others do.- In a confined space with vague instructions
- Mostly our version. Woman in centre of line is probably the easiest to follow
- Joc de bâtă (Romania)
Taught by Cristian & Sonia in Kolo festival 2020 (Zoom). "Dance with stick" - originally an acrobatic solo man's dance- Good footwork Arms are incorrectly static except for woman on far side
- Domonstration shows the arms and stick work well.
- Dojdi Lenke Pod Ladna Senka (Macedonia)
Introduced by Vlasto Petovski in February 2021. Being a new dance, there is nothing on the web - Romanian Clublife (Romania)
Another one from Cristina in 2009. There are two dances on the web to this music, one is very boring and the other incomplete, so we made our own: - Svekrvino (Macedonia)
"Mother-in-law's dance". It is only recently that a video has appeared, so we had created our own:- Teaching
- Dancing
- Slightly simplified version
- Joc din Rebrisoara (Romania)
Sonia & Cristian taught this on Zoom in 2021. It can be done in a circle or as a couple - Hora Femeilor (Romania)
A long dance with many short sequences. Not done very often. The final figure has two taps in our version, rather than tap-brush- Dull performance but clear
- Livelier. Sometimes the teacher is obscured
- Hassapiko (Greece)
There are many, many sequences that can be danced in an Hassapiko. Some are complicated, others are simple. We have several dances that use some of those sequences, normally named after the tune that we use for it. This dance is a fairly simple sequence that we have adopted and keeps the original name. It should be done with a shoulder hold, but many of our dancers find it uncommfortable to do a whole dance like that, so we show it with W hold. - Sus pe Munte (Romania)
This appears to be unknown outside our group. We have known this for many years and it is a useful beginners' dance or for a warm-up.
Dances for larger spaces
- Poseyala Baba (Ukraine)
- Dancing on Water (Israel)
- American group is the complete dance but they put in extra hops that we were not taught
- Italian dancers is our version but stops after two turns - the third time has the first phrase repeated. They are a little stiff in their sways
- Ice-breaking version is a different choerography, so just watch the scenery!
- Kirčo na Čardak Sedeše (Bulgaria)
- Original notes from Jaap Leegwater, including music notation, words and translation
- Once through (starting at 40secs)
- This video has better lighting, but the 94-year-old leader is not as bouncy as a younger person would be and the followers are not particularly good.
- Dobrudjanska Pandala (Bulgaria)
- Written instructions
- Clear video although our version only goes through twice!
- Staro Poloskho Oro (Macedonia)
Another one introduced to us by Corry Verheijen. There is nothing on the web, so here are two of ours - Corlu Aromân (Romania)
Another song that is probably in Aromanian. - Hora Chassidit (Israel)
There is only one video of this on the internet, but it is well taught (in Hebrew) and danced
-
The book he refers to is "Israeli Dances for Beginners
part 2" which has a footnote to the dance:
"Rivka Sturman [the choreographer] once taught this dance moving to CW [i.e. left]. As a result, endless confusion has resulted."
Some people start left foot, others right independent of the direction they set off in! We will stick with the original as taught here.
-
The book he refers to is "Israeli Dances for Beginners
part 2" which has a footnote to the dance:
- Kuma Eche (Israel)
- Promoroaca (Romania)
There are a remarkably large number of variations of this.- Children enjoy it, but don't put in the arms
- Dull version is fairly close
- Yoiku (Finland/Sami)
Taught to us by Corry Verheijen at Hursley in September 2018
There is nothing on the web, so we have created our own videos- Teaching
- Dancing
- In the park. In the twilight seems appropriate.
- Basma (Romania)
Another one from Corry in the same session
Again, these are our own videos (with the group) - Tsarina de la Abrud (Romania)
Taught by Anne Leach in 2009. There is another completely different dance of the same name- Staid performance with claps
- Slightly more lively partially from rear but turning direction is inconsistant
- Hora Lui Dobrica (Romania)
We learnt this from Frank Dowling in 2004- Teaching (in Hebrew)
- Live music. Goes to the right rather than left as we were taught
- Oj Vardare Makedonski (Macedonia)
From Paul Mulders, Eastbourne 2014.
Just one video on the web for this
Dances requiring partners
- Krakoviak (Ukraine)
We learnt this from Hennie Konigs in 2005. Since Krakov has been under various juristictions over the centruries, there are many different nationalities claiming this name. On the web I can only find Polish or very boring versions, so here is ours. - Subotas (Lithunia)
Again nothing on the web, so here is ours - Bavarian Landler (Germany)
Landler are precursors on the waltz and there are many from different areas. There are videos on the web showing fairly simple, repeated actions, but to the music we use this is the Oxford version - Dansje voor Elsche (Netherlands)
Esther Willems taught this in 2016. She says that Bert van der Meer created this dance for the 80th birthday of Elsche Korf in 2012 (dance leader for dance troupe Pieremachochel for many years) to thank her for her many dances collected and cheorgraphed. This melody is called Mazulma. "Danced like a French mazurka, soft and fluid".
Since this is a fairly new dance, it does not appear to have been recorded, so here you can see us doing it. - Eide Ratas (Estonia)
(Spinnning wheel) There are various interpretations of this dance on the web. This rather old video shows the version which we have adopted, it being slightly more interesting than our original. - Half Hannekin (England)
This dance was published in the first edition of Playford's English Dancing Master in 1651. It has a very unusual progression for an English dance and the change-partner is otherwise unheard of at that time. The web features several dances of the same name, some using a different length music, but this one is the same as ours, although the dancers are hopeless! - Oige Ja Vasemba (Estonia)
"Rights and Lefts". Esentially a children's dance, but no less fun for that! Here the music is a little weedy but the dancers are accurate - Chilili (Bolivia)
There are loads of recordings on the web, including one with Lego characters!
This one is probably the clearest - Zamar Noded (Israel)
"Song of a Wanderer" Taught in Hebrew, but for some reason we dance a back-to-back rather than the turns shown here. - Wesjolaja Kadril (Russia)
This is another from Hennie Konigs. It is just asking to be hammed up. This demo does the dance well and shows to some extent the silliness. - Re'ach Tapu'ach Odem Shani (Israel)
"The scent of a second ruby apple" is a very strange name!