Corrido

The Mexican Corrido is a true folk ballad. Historically this form descended from the Spanish romance which flourished most brilliantly during the 14th and 15th centuries in Spain. The earliest Mexican example that bears a date was issued in Mexico City on August 19, 1684. The music for secular folk dances is in the form of songs. This dance, Corrido, has developed from the ballad form. Three characteristic steps are noted in this dance: “soldado,” a soldier style of dancing from the revolutionary days; a dipping step commonly called the “grapevine;” and a typical sideward step-close. Avis Landis, a member of the Research Committee of the Folk Dance Federation of California, introduced this dance to the Federation. Avis, who has been an active dancer and leader in the local Mexican colony in Oakland, danced Corrido in various parts of Mexico.

Presented by Bruce Mitchell in 2012. View the pdf here.

Ijswals

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.

Totur

Totur is a folk dance from Vejle in Denmark. The name means “two figures.”
Pronunciation:  toh-TOOR
Music:  2/4 meter  Records: Imperial 1038; Kismet 135; Dancer 1021.
Music: “Singing Games and Folk Dances” p. 43, John C. Campbell, Folk School, Brasstown, S.C.; Special 2012 Camp CD, Track 3
Formation:  Single circle of cpls, W to R of ptr, all facing ctr. Hands are joined at shldr level (W-pos).

Presented by Bruce Mitchell in 2012. View pdf here.