Last week we covered the Hasapiko and Hassaposervico or Fast Hasapiko as it is commonly referred to in non Greek venues. Let's take a quick review of the Hasapiko dance its origin and steps. The information comes to us from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hasapiko and
Dick Oakes: http://www.phantomranch.net/folkdanc/dances/hasapiko.htm
"The hasapiko (Greek: χασάπικο, pronounced [xaˈsapiko], meaning “the butcher's [dance]” from Turkmen: kasap “butcher”) is a Greek folk dance from Constantinople. The dance originated in the Middle Ages as a battle mime with swords performed by the Greek butchers guild, which adopted it from the military of Byzantine era.[1] In Constantinople during the Byzantine times, it was called in Greek μακελλάρικος χορός (makellárikos horós from μακελλάρioς “butcher”). Some Greeks, however, reserve the latter term only for the fast version of the dance.
The slow version of the dance is called χασάπικο βαρύ (hasapiko vary) or χασάπικος βαρύς (hasapikos varys — βαρύς meaning “heavy”) and generally employs a 4/4 meter. The fast version of the dance uses a 2/4 meter. It is variously called γρήγορο χασάπικο, μακελλάριος χορός, χασαποσέρβικο (grigoro hasapiko, makellarios horos, hasaposerviko — the latter a reference to Serbian and other Balkan influences on this version of the dance).
Hasapiko served as one of the bases for the Sirtaki."
HASAPIKOSGreek
PRONUNCIATION:hah-SAH-pee-kohs TRANSLATION:Butchers' dance SOURCE:Dick Oakes learned this dance in the Greek community of Los Angeles. Athan Karras, a prominent Greek dance researcher, also has taught Hasapikos to folk dancers in the United States, as have many other teachers of Greek dance, including Dave Rosenberg at the 1960 Santa Barbara Folk Dance Conference, Oliver "Sonny" Newman at the 1963 Stockton Folk Dance Camp, Vilma Matchette at the 1967 Santa Barbara Folk Dance Conference, and John Filcich at the 1970 Stockton Folk Dance Camp. BACKGROUND:The Hasapikos was called Makellarion Horon (makellarios is the Greek word for "butcher") during Byzantine days because it was adopted by the butchers' guild in Constantinople (now İstanbul, Turkey). The dance is also spelled Hassapikos (Hassip is Turkish for "butcher"). It is also known as Grigoro (fast) Hasapikos, or simply Zoero (lively). The dance is mostly known outside of Greece because of its being danced during the Syrtaki in the film Alexis Zorbas (titled Zorba the Greek in America). The Hasapikos is sometimes referred to as Hasaposervikos, whose basic step is based on that of the fast Hasapikos. Other dances that have a similar dance motif are the Arkan of the Ukraine, Hora of Israel, the Debki of the Arab countries, the Kasapsko Horo of Bulgaria, the Kasapsko Kolo of Serbia, the Lesnoto of Macedonia, and the Soorch Bar of Armenia. MUSIC:Festival (45rpm) 3513-B Folkraft (LP) 8 or any fast hasapikos music. FORMATION:Lines of mixed M and W with hands holding neighbors' shldrs in "T" pos. The dance also may be seen being danced with hands joined with elbows bent and held at shldr height in "W" pos (although this is not as stable).
METER/RHYTHM:2/4 STEPS/STYLE:
The dance has a happy, joyful, high-spirited, and carefree nature.
MEASURE MOVEMENT DESCRIPTION INTRODUCTION
None or at the discretion of the leader. THE DANCE 1Step (or leap) R swd (ct 1); step (or leap) L across in back of R (ct 2);2Step (or leap) R swd (ct 1); hop R, swinging L across in front of R (ct 2);3Step (or leap) L swd (ct 1); hop L, swinging R across in front of L (ct 2). Repeat dance from beg. VARIATIONS Several variations are danced, such as:
Tomorrow we will be covering the Ballos and Tsamiko. Here is the Ballos steps and Tsamiko steps. Please bear in mind that the steps here are the generally accepted steps but may vary in style and sequence depending on the region. What we hope to accomplish is the ability to do the dances in step and in time with the music so that the natural feel and character of the dance becomes one with you and you with it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballos
"The Ballos Sirtos (Greek: Μπάλος) (from the Italian ballo[1] via Latin "ballo"[2][3] which derives from the Greek verb "βαλλίζω" ballizo, "to dance, to jump"),[4][5][6] is one of the best known Greek folk island dances in Greece. There are also different versions in other Balkan countries. The Ballos is of Greek origin, with ancient Greek elements.[7]
The melody of a ballos is generally joyous and lyrical which is typical of the music of the Aegean Islands. This couples' dance incorporates all the elements of courtship: attraction, flirtation, display of masculine prowess and feminine virtue, pursuit,and rejection followed by eventual capture and surrender.
Its origin is in the island culture of Greece. Men could not approach women easily, so they created this dance in order to "flirt" with them. There are various forms of the ballos around the islands. The simplest is one in which a single couple goes through a series of spontaneous figures. In another version many couples dance simultaneously as if alone on the dance floor. Yet another version is introduced by a Sirtos. In its most complicated form, a number of couples go through various figures, somewhat reminiscent of the European minuet. Ballos songs are popular and there are many of them. One of the most popular Ballos Asia minor song is: Τι σε μέλλει εσένανε; Ti se mellei esenane ("What do you mind?") etc."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsamiko
"The Tsamiko (Greek: Τσάμικος, Tsamikos) is a popular traditional folk dance of Greece, done to music of 3/4 meter. The name literally means dance of the Chams. It is also known asKleftikos (Greek: Κλέφτικος), literally meaning dance of the Klephts. Danced almost exclusively by men, this dance is strongly reminiscent of the 1821 era in Greek history. Today Tsamiko is a popular dance in festivals and weddings, especially in the rural areas of Central Greece and Peloponnese, as well as Epirus periphery where a slower version is performed.[1] Sometimes the dancers dress in the traditional Greek fustanella. This dance is usually performed to celebrate national events (i.e. anniversary of the declaration of the start of Greek War of Independence in 1821). The dance follows a strict and slow tempo not emphasising on the steps, but more on the "attitude, style and grace" of the dancer. The dancers hold each other from each other's hands, bent 90 degrees upwards at the elbows. It takes a sturdy hand, especially if you are supporting the first or last person of the line (or circle) who will lean on you to perform high acrobatic leaps (usually kicking his right leg up as he takes off followed by the left (in a scissor-like motion), hitting the latter with the back of his hand before landing). The steps are relatively easy but have to be precise and strictly onbeat. The dancer might even stomp his foot in response to a strong beat. There is some improvisation involved and many variations of the steps, depending on which area the dancers come from. Over time the dance has taken on many variations. In the past, it was danced exclusively by men, but in modern times both men and women take part."
Ballos
StepTempo
2/4 or 8/8Traveling Step, used to to move about in all directions including around partner. Begin on right foot.1slowslowStep forward on the right foot.2quickslowStep forward on the left foot.3quickquickStep forward on the right foot bringing arch of right up to left heel.Repeat with opposite footwork. Begin on left foot.Repeat as often as desired, may also be done backwards. Man may occationally take hold of girls right hand with his left and turn her around to her Right under theit arched armes.
Traveling Step - Brush Swing Step
Traveling Step - Brush Swing Step
StepTempo
2/4 or 8/8Brush Swing Step. Begin on right foot.1slowslowStep forward on the right foot.2quickslowBrush left foot across in-front of right foot and3quickquickSwing left foot slightly up off ground in-front of right, lefting right heel of ground.Repeat with opposite footwork. Begin on left foot.Repeat as often as desired. Then revert to Traveling Step.
StepTempo
2/4 or 8/8Pausing Step. Begin on right foot.1slowslowStep to the Right on the right foot.2quickslowStep to the Right on the left foot in-front of right.3quickquickShift weight back onto the right foot.Repeat above steps to the Left with opposite footwork. Begin on left foot.Repeat as often as desired, then revert back to Travailing Step.
Tsamiko
Starting position. Feet together facing obliquely Right.StepTempoOne Step or Traveling Step to the Right.1slowStep to the Right on the right foot.2quickStep to the Right on the left foot in-front of right.3slowStep to the Right on the right foot.4quickStep to the Right on the left foot in-front of right.Continue Traveling Step to the Right Combined with Pausing Step. Begin on right foot.5slowStep to the Right on the right foot.6quickStep to the Right on the left foot in-front of right.7slowStep to the Right on the right foot.8quickSwing the left leg out in-front of right leg with the left knee bent and foot about one foot off ground.Continue Pausing Step Combined with Traveling Step to the Left. Begin on left foot.9slowStep diagonally backwards Left on the left foot to its previous position.10quickStep to the Left on the right foot in-front of left.11slowStep to the Left on the left foot.12quickSwing the right leg out in-front of left leg with the right knee bent and foot about one foot off ground.Repeat the sequence of 12 steps until the dance ends.
###
Dick Oakes: http://www.phantomranch.net/folkdanc/dances/hasapiko.htm
"The hasapiko (Greek: χασάπικο, pronounced [xaˈsapiko], meaning “the butcher's [dance]” from Turkmen: kasap “butcher”) is a Greek folk dance from Constantinople. The dance originated in the Middle Ages as a battle mime with swords performed by the Greek butchers guild, which adopted it from the military of Byzantine era.[1] In Constantinople during the Byzantine times, it was called in Greek μακελλάρικος χορός (makellárikos horós from μακελλάρioς “butcher”). Some Greeks, however, reserve the latter term only for the fast version of the dance.
The slow version of the dance is called χασάπικο βαρύ (hasapiko vary) or χασάπικος βαρύς (hasapikos varys — βαρύς meaning “heavy”) and generally employs a 4/4 meter. The fast version of the dance uses a 2/4 meter. It is variously called γρήγορο χασάπικο, μακελλάριος χορός, χασαποσέρβικο (grigoro hasapiko, makellarios horos, hasaposerviko — the latter a reference to Serbian and other Balkan influences on this version of the dance).
Hasapiko served as one of the bases for the Sirtaki."
HASAPIKOSGreek
PRONUNCIATION:hah-SAH-pee-kohs TRANSLATION:Butchers' dance SOURCE:Dick Oakes learned this dance in the Greek community of Los Angeles. Athan Karras, a prominent Greek dance researcher, also has taught Hasapikos to folk dancers in the United States, as have many other teachers of Greek dance, including Dave Rosenberg at the 1960 Santa Barbara Folk Dance Conference, Oliver "Sonny" Newman at the 1963 Stockton Folk Dance Camp, Vilma Matchette at the 1967 Santa Barbara Folk Dance Conference, and John Filcich at the 1970 Stockton Folk Dance Camp. BACKGROUND:The Hasapikos was called Makellarion Horon (makellarios is the Greek word for "butcher") during Byzantine days because it was adopted by the butchers' guild in Constantinople (now İstanbul, Turkey). The dance is also spelled Hassapikos (Hassip is Turkish for "butcher"). It is also known as Grigoro (fast) Hasapikos, or simply Zoero (lively). The dance is mostly known outside of Greece because of its being danced during the Syrtaki in the film Alexis Zorbas (titled Zorba the Greek in America). The Hasapikos is sometimes referred to as Hasaposervikos, whose basic step is based on that of the fast Hasapikos. Other dances that have a similar dance motif are the Arkan of the Ukraine, Hora of Israel, the Debki of the Arab countries, the Kasapsko Horo of Bulgaria, the Kasapsko Kolo of Serbia, the Lesnoto of Macedonia, and the Soorch Bar of Armenia. MUSIC:Festival (45rpm) 3513-B Folkraft (LP) 8 or any fast hasapikos music. FORMATION:Lines of mixed M and W with hands holding neighbors' shldrs in "T" pos. The dance also may be seen being danced with hands joined with elbows bent and held at shldr height in "W" pos (although this is not as stable).
METER/RHYTHM:2/4 STEPS/STYLE:
The dance has a happy, joyful, high-spirited, and carefree nature.
MEASURE MOVEMENT DESCRIPTION INTRODUCTION
None or at the discretion of the leader. THE DANCE 1Step (or leap) R swd (ct 1); step (or leap) L across in back of R (ct 2);2Step (or leap) R swd (ct 1); hop R, swinging L across in front of R (ct 2);3Step (or leap) L swd (ct 1); hop L, swinging R across in front of L (ct 2). Repeat dance from beg. VARIATIONS Several variations are danced, such as:
- Cross in front (instead of back) on meas 1;
- Double-time leaps on meas 1;
- Pas de Basque (triplet) steps on meas 2 and 3.
- Dance a CW turn on the two steps (or leaps) on meas 1, or even
- Signal for the entire line to dance a CW turn on the two steps (or leaps) on meas 1.
Tomorrow we will be covering the Ballos and Tsamiko. Here is the Ballos steps and Tsamiko steps. Please bear in mind that the steps here are the generally accepted steps but may vary in style and sequence depending on the region. What we hope to accomplish is the ability to do the dances in step and in time with the music so that the natural feel and character of the dance becomes one with you and you with it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballos
"The Ballos Sirtos (Greek: Μπάλος) (from the Italian ballo[1] via Latin "ballo"[2][3] which derives from the Greek verb "βαλλίζω" ballizo, "to dance, to jump"),[4][5][6] is one of the best known Greek folk island dances in Greece. There are also different versions in other Balkan countries. The Ballos is of Greek origin, with ancient Greek elements.[7]
The melody of a ballos is generally joyous and lyrical which is typical of the music of the Aegean Islands. This couples' dance incorporates all the elements of courtship: attraction, flirtation, display of masculine prowess and feminine virtue, pursuit,and rejection followed by eventual capture and surrender.
Its origin is in the island culture of Greece. Men could not approach women easily, so they created this dance in order to "flirt" with them. There are various forms of the ballos around the islands. The simplest is one in which a single couple goes through a series of spontaneous figures. In another version many couples dance simultaneously as if alone on the dance floor. Yet another version is introduced by a Sirtos. In its most complicated form, a number of couples go through various figures, somewhat reminiscent of the European minuet. Ballos songs are popular and there are many of them. One of the most popular Ballos Asia minor song is: Τι σε μέλλει εσένανε; Ti se mellei esenane ("What do you mind?") etc."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsamiko
"The Tsamiko (Greek: Τσάμικος, Tsamikos) is a popular traditional folk dance of Greece, done to music of 3/4 meter. The name literally means dance of the Chams. It is also known asKleftikos (Greek: Κλέφτικος), literally meaning dance of the Klephts. Danced almost exclusively by men, this dance is strongly reminiscent of the 1821 era in Greek history. Today Tsamiko is a popular dance in festivals and weddings, especially in the rural areas of Central Greece and Peloponnese, as well as Epirus periphery where a slower version is performed.[1] Sometimes the dancers dress in the traditional Greek fustanella. This dance is usually performed to celebrate national events (i.e. anniversary of the declaration of the start of Greek War of Independence in 1821). The dance follows a strict and slow tempo not emphasising on the steps, but more on the "attitude, style and grace" of the dancer. The dancers hold each other from each other's hands, bent 90 degrees upwards at the elbows. It takes a sturdy hand, especially if you are supporting the first or last person of the line (or circle) who will lean on you to perform high acrobatic leaps (usually kicking his right leg up as he takes off followed by the left (in a scissor-like motion), hitting the latter with the back of his hand before landing). The steps are relatively easy but have to be precise and strictly onbeat. The dancer might even stomp his foot in response to a strong beat. There is some improvisation involved and many variations of the steps, depending on which area the dancers come from. Over time the dance has taken on many variations. In the past, it was danced exclusively by men, but in modern times both men and women take part."
Ballos
StepTempo
2/4 or 8/8Traveling Step, used to to move about in all directions including around partner. Begin on right foot.1slowslowStep forward on the right foot.2quickslowStep forward on the left foot.3quickquickStep forward on the right foot bringing arch of right up to left heel.Repeat with opposite footwork. Begin on left foot.Repeat as often as desired, may also be done backwards. Man may occationally take hold of girls right hand with his left and turn her around to her Right under theit arched armes.
Traveling Step - Brush Swing Step
Traveling Step - Brush Swing Step
StepTempo
2/4 or 8/8Brush Swing Step. Begin on right foot.1slowslowStep forward on the right foot.2quickslowBrush left foot across in-front of right foot and3quickquickSwing left foot slightly up off ground in-front of right, lefting right heel of ground.Repeat with opposite footwork. Begin on left foot.Repeat as often as desired. Then revert to Traveling Step.
StepTempo
2/4 or 8/8Pausing Step. Begin on right foot.1slowslowStep to the Right on the right foot.2quickslowStep to the Right on the left foot in-front of right.3quickquickShift weight back onto the right foot.Repeat above steps to the Left with opposite footwork. Begin on left foot.Repeat as often as desired, then revert back to Travailing Step.
Tsamiko
Starting position. Feet together facing obliquely Right.StepTempoOne Step or Traveling Step to the Right.1slowStep to the Right on the right foot.2quickStep to the Right on the left foot in-front of right.3slowStep to the Right on the right foot.4quickStep to the Right on the left foot in-front of right.Continue Traveling Step to the Right Combined with Pausing Step. Begin on right foot.5slowStep to the Right on the right foot.6quickStep to the Right on the left foot in-front of right.7slowStep to the Right on the right foot.8quickSwing the left leg out in-front of right leg with the left knee bent and foot about one foot off ground.Continue Pausing Step Combined with Traveling Step to the Left. Begin on left foot.9slowStep diagonally backwards Left on the left foot to its previous position.10quickStep to the Left on the right foot in-front of left.11slowStep to the Left on the left foot.12quickSwing the right leg out in-front of left leg with the right knee bent and foot about one foot off ground.Repeat the sequence of 12 steps until the dance ends.
###