A Macedonian dance from the village of Ydrea in Almopia. I learned this dance from Tracy Lean in 2010, she learned it from Christos Apsis.
The dance is in a slow, even 4/4 rhythm with a step or touch on every beat. It speeds up considerably halfway through.
Start in a line in a shoulder or W hold, facing right.
Step forward with the right foot, then touch close with the left.
Step forward with the left, then touch close with the right.
Turning to face centre step to the side with the right, make a very small cross behind with the
left (keeping it close to the right heel), step to the side with the right,
then touch close with the left facing slightly right of centre.
Step forward with the left, rock back onto the right, rock forward onto the left,
then touch the right beside the left.
When the music speeds up the steps change. Let the arms drop to a V hold.
Step forward with the right, then lift the left (almost a hop).
Step forward with the left, then lift the right.
Take three steps forward, starting with the right, then turn to face centre while lifting the
left across in front and bringing the arms up into a W hold.
Step to the side with the left, cross in front with the right, replace the left,
then lift the right while turning to face right. Let the arms drop back into a V hold.
I have versions of the music on workshop CDs produced by
Christos Apsis and
Kyriakos Moisidis but I don't know the origins of either
piece.
The dance can begin at the start of any musical phrase.
Dance description by Andy Bettis - April 2010