FOREIGN FOLK DANCES

FOREIGN FOLK DANCES

Foreign folk dance applies to those dances which come from countries other than the Philippines.

STYLES IN FOREIGN FOLK DANCE

• It is important to execute the styling and mannerisms inherent in the dance of other countries as it is to be able to dance the steps and pattern sequences.
• ALEMANDE LEFT– each dancer faces his partner and extends his left hand. Both move counter clockwise in a circle around each other and return to original position.
• ALL HANDS ROUND- All eight people in the square join hands, while in four hands round call, fur people or two couples join hands together.
• BALANCE FORWARD-Couples or dancers specified by the caller take two steps forward take a bow, and then take two steps backward. It can also be done backward.
• BOW, HONOR OR ADDRESS – Gentleman places right arm in front and left arm behind and bows to acknowledge the lady.
• BREAK – dancers who have join hands release hold or drop hands.
• CAST OFF – In long ways or contra formation, all couples face front and with the head couple leading, counter march outward to the foot of the set. As the head couple meets, they form an arch through which the other dancers pass.
•  CIRCLE – Designated couples join and walk clock wise to the left if the instruction is circle left. Circle right is done counter clockwise. One step is taken to every count.
• CURTSY – It is done in response to the bow of the men. It can be done with step sideward right and pointing the left foot to the right in the rear, behind the knee, head, and trunk slightly.
• DO-SI-DO-designated dancers face each other and cross their arms holding them at chest level in front of the body. They walk forward passing right shoulders slightly beyond each other, step sideward right to right, and without turning, walk backward passing left to left to original position. Do-si-do right can be done.
• GRAND RIGHT AND LEFT – all couples face partners, join right hands and walk pass each other passing right shoulders. As partners pass each other, they extend the left hand to the next gentleman or lady. They continue around the circle alternately extending right and left hand to the people they meet. The figure continued until everyone returns to their original position.
• LADIES CHAIN – Two couples face each other. The ladies walk forward to meet at the center. They give their right hands to each other and pass shoulders. The gentleman takes the left hand of the opposite lady in his left hand, places his right hand on the lady’s waist and turns her around once counter clockwise. The figure is repeated as the ladies go back to place.

 

• LINK ELBOWS – hook left (right) elbow with partner or any dancer.
• OPENING POSITION – Partners holding in ballroom dancing, facing one direction, toward extended arms.
• PARTNER’S SIDE – Partners change with four light running steps passing by the left shoulders. They turn left about to face partner and return to original position, passing by the shoulders.
• PROMENADE – partners are side by side, left shoulder toward the center, holding in skating position (right hands join over the join left hands) at waist level or in varsovienne position ( boy’s right arm around back of girl, holding her right hand close and at level of her right shoulder, and his left hand holds her left hand in front or at the side), they walk around  in counter clockwise direction until they reach their home position.            
• SET – it is a dance or unit formation. In square dance formation, a set is composed of four pair standing on the side of a hallow square facing the center. The boys stand at left side of their respective partners. The distance across the couples is from eight to ten feet.

 DANCE STEPS AND STEP PATTERNS

DANCE STEPS                                                MUSIC TIME SIGNATURE

1. BLEKING                                                   2/4
2. CHASSE                                                     2/4
3. DUTCH STEP                                             3/4
4. GALOP                                                      2/4
5. HOPSA                                                      2/4
6. MAZURKA                                                 3/4      
7. MINCING                                                  2/4      
8. MINUET                                                    2/4
9. SCHOTTISCHE                                           4/4      
10. SHUFFLING                                               2/4      
11. BALLROOM WALTZ                                  3/4      
12. BOX SQUARE WALTZ                               3/4
13. CROSS WALTZ                                          3/4
14. WALTZ TURN                                            3/4
15. VARSOVIENNE                                          3/4

 

LA CUCARACHA – means “La Cucaracha” this is a dance known to all Mexicans. This dance is usually performed during social gatherings.

MINUET – This is a court dance popular in France during the time to Louis XV. It is a very stately, graceful and dignified dance depicting the grandeur and magnificence of the court during that time. It is perfect expression of an age in which courtesy, ceremony, and chivalry were brilliantly polished.

VARSOVIENNE – This is a very delightful dance for girls but boys may take part if desired.

FURLANA – dance from time immemorial at public festivals, is widely known in region of Fruili, the North section of Venice, where it is dance a bit differently in each town. One of the ancient mimed dances, flirting, quarreling and understanding are the essential part of the dance.