A fun Hula that Hilde Otterholt learned from Kumu Blain Kamalani Kia. This song was written in 1966 for the film Hawai’i. Lyrics are by Mack David, and music is by Elmer Bernstein.
Pronunciation: I Am Hawai’i
Music: 4/4 meter Moea by Blaine Kamalani Kia, Band 20
Formation: Individually in lines, with arms-length distance between each dancer. All face the same direction.
Presented by Hilde P. Otterholt 2010. View pdf here.
This is a women’s Kopanica from lhtiman, Šop region (Western Bulgaria). The word “Kopaníca” is
derived from the verb “Kopaja” (“to dig”). In dance and music terminology, Kopaníca means a dance in 11/8 meter (2-2-3-2-2) and it is also the name of its basic step.
Pronunciation: ee-tee-MAHN-skah KOP-ah-nee-tsah
Music: 11/8 meter Bulgarian Folk Dances with Jaap Leegwater, counted as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Stockton Edition, Track 6
Formation: Open circle. Hands belt hold, R arm under, L arm over.
Presented by Jaap Leegwater in 2011. View pd here.
The Romanian word încâlcita means confusing or unclear. In popular music it refers to a bit of cleverness by musicians (lautari) to surprise both listeners and dancers. The music begins with an introduction in 3/4 time, leading everyone to believe it’s a waltz. On the fifth measure, however, the musician turns the rhythm into a 4/4, throwing the disconcerted dancers into a muddle.
Încâlcita in Moldavia, Floricica in Oltenia and Brâuleţul in Muntenia are examples of dances requiring considerable skill and agility. The steps are fast, small and precise, enhanced with many crossing movements forward and back. They are done on the ball of the foot or the heel, in syncopated rhythms.
Presented by Sonia Dion & Cristian Florescu in 2008. View pdf here.
Ijswals was written down by Mrs. A. Sanson-Catz in 1925 as one of the traditional dances of the
Netherlands. The music originally was called “Oude Passepie” and was performed in the theater in Amsterdam from 1696 to 1716. The dance reflects the skating of couples on ice. This dance was originally presented at Stockton Folk Dance Camp in 1984 by Jaap Leegwater. In 1996, Tineke Van Geel also presented the dance to a different version of the music that has a much longer introduction.
Presented by Bruce Mitchell in 2012. View pdf here.
Ikaria is an island in the east Aegean Sea. It derives its name from Icarus, the son of Daedalus who, according to Greek mythology, fell into the sea nearby. Τoday, Icaria is considered one of the world's five “Blue Zones” – places where the population regularly lives to an advanced age (one in three make it to their 90s). This is due to healthy diets and lifestyle.
Presented by Lilian Vlandi in 2013. View pdf here.
This dance was choreographed by Lucia Cordeiro in 2013 to a song by Noca da Portela, Tranka and Toninho do Nascimento from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The singer is Maria Bethania, a favorite Brazilian artists. The lyrics are a prayer to the Divine Lady.
Presented by Lucia Cordeiro in 2013. View pdf here.
An easy 4-wall line dance choreographed by Jerry and Kathy Helt.
Music: 2/4 meter BLUE STAR RECORD, 2219-B or any fun,
jazzy music with a 2/4 rhythm
Formation: Individuals dancing in lines all facing the same direction. Begin facing the front of the hall.
Presented by Jerry and Kathy Helt in 2013. View pdf here.
Pronunciation: EE-nah EE-nah
Music: 2/4 meter Sonia Dion & Cristian Florescu Romanian Realm Vol. 5, Band 9
Formation: Open mixed circle; hands joined in W-pos extended slightly fwd, facing ctr.
Presented by Sonia Dion & Cristian Florescu in 2010. View pdf here.
Pronunciation: eun-TOHAHR-sah deh lah puh-oo-LEECH
Music: 2/4 meter Sonia Dion & Cristian Florescu Romanian Realm Vol. 5, Band 7
Formation: Longways set. Partners facing each other holding hands; M’s R hand holding W’s L hand, straight arms down; M’s L hand holding W’s R hand, straight arms down.
Presented by Sonia Dion & Cristian Florescu in 2010. View pdf here.
This women’s dance was learned from Belčo Stanev.
Pronunciation: EE-shu BYAH-la NEH-doh
Music: 11/8 meter, counted 1 2 3 4 5 or Balkan I 2010 Steve’s Dances CD, Band 13
1 2 3 & 4 5, QQSS+ or QQQSS+
Formation: Closed circle; hands joined in escort hold.
Presented by Stephen Kotansky in 2010. View pdf here.
This dance has traditionally been performed at the Matsuyama Summer Festival, one of Shikoku’s largest festivals. “Iyono Matsuyama Tsuzumi Odori” has been deeply influenced by Noh, a formal theater art popular among the residents of Mastuyama. It traditionally was danced with a tsuzumi, a two-headed drum used in Noh. Recently, however, it was musically rearranged in the style of the Cuban dance, the mambo! This reinvention eventually became the Yakyu-ken Odori and Yakyu Samba, both of which are now popular at the Matsuyama Summer Festival in place of the traditional “Iyono Matsuyama Tsuzumi Odori.” [See full map of Japan at the beginning of this
section for location of this island.]
Presented by Iwao Tamaoki in 2012. View pdf here.
