SKOPSKA CRNOGORKA
                           Skopje, Macedonia

This dance is from the capitol of Macedonia, Skopje, and is named 
after the Crna Gora (Black Mountains) that are nearby.

Source:     As learned by Tom Deering from Atanas Kolarovski

Rhythm:     2/4 (counted: ah 1 & ah 2 &) in 6 measure phrases

Recording:  Folkraft LP-15

Formation:  Mixed lines, hands held down in "V" position with the
            leader on the right. The dance starts to the right with 
            the right foot free.  Step changes are signalled by the 
            leader at the leader's discretion.

Style Note: Macedonian dances is are generally danced with a very 
            vertical sense about them.  Lifts, even when large, are 
            vertical and in place, never "swung." Movements initiated 
            with a hop or leap usually are usually formed early so
            the hop or leap moves the whole dancer as a single unit.

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Meas  Ct    BASIC PATTERN

1,2   1-4   Facing slightly and moving R, 4 walking steps forward 
               (R, L, R, L)
3     1     Turning to face center, Leap onto R in place, lifting L 
               low in front
      2     Hop on R in place
4     1,2   Facing slightly and moving L, 2 small walking steps 
               forward (L, R)
5     1,2   Facing slightly R but still moving L, 2 small walking 
               steps back (L, R)
6     1 & 2 Three quick steps in place, Leap-Step-Step preparing to 
               move R

            The following variations have the same form as the basic 
            pattern above, substituting various more energetic movements
            for the walking steps.

            HOP-STEP-STEPS (Fast Basic Step)

1,2   1-4   Facing slightly and moving R and with weight on L, 
               Hop-Step-Step twice
3     1,2   Step-Hop on R in place, lifting L low in front
4     1,2   Turning and moving slightly L and with weight on R, 
               Hop-Step-Step 
5     1,2   Facing slightly R but still moving L, Hop-Step-Step 
6     1,2   Leap-Step-Step in place

            RUN-RUN-RUNS

1,2   1-4   Substitute Leap-Step-Step for the Hop-Step-Steps above
3-6         As in the Hop-Step-Step Variation above

            GRAPEVINE Note: All of the action is with the feet--the 
                            hips do not twist.
                            The body faces center throughout meas 1-2.

1     ah    Facing center and moving R, Touch the ball of the R foot 
               in front of L
      1 &   Step on L slightly to R behind R
      ah    Touch the ball of the R foot behind L
      2 &   Step on L slightly to R in front of R
2           REPEAT measure 1
3-6         As in the Hop-Step-Step Variation above

            REELS

1-3         Repeat meas 1-3 Grapevine Variation. On count 2 of measure
                  3 lift both hands from the elbows so that the lower
                  arms are roughly horizontal.
            In measures 4, 5, & 6 swing arms assertively down when 
                  stepping on the L, let them return to horizontal when
                  stepping on the R (arms stay down from the last 
                  count of measure 6 through the grapevine step).
4     ah    Slight Hop on R
      1     Step on L displacing R from behind (a reel step)
      ah    Slight Hop on L
      2     Step on R displacing L from behind (a reel step)
5           REPEAT meas 4 (4 reel steps all together)
6           REPEAT meas 6 above (Leap-Step-Step in place)

            TURNS (for Men)

1-2         Facing and moving R, two counter-clockwise Turns stepping 
               R, L, R, L
3           Pause standing on both feet and facing forward (R line of
               direction)
4     1     Squat on both feet
      2     Rise Up to partial standing lifting R foot slightly in 
               front
5           REPEAT measure 4 lifting L foot
6           REPEAT measure 4 ending standing on both feet ready to step
               onto R

            Note: When in mixed lines, those who will be doing the turns 
                  separate from the others and move to the center on 
                  the last measure of the previous step.  Those who are
                  not doing the turns should continue with the reel 
                  step, leaving space for the turners to rejoin the
                  line. Do not join hands to fill the gaps, put hands on
                  hips or twirl handkerchiefs.  The turning step is 
                  usually done twice in a row.

            SQUAT WALK (for Men)

1-3         Facing and moving R, squatting halfway so knees are bent, 
                  5 walking steps forward starting with the R and 
                  turning the lower body quickly in the direction of
                  each step. Pause after the 5th step. The lower knee
                  should almost touch the ground. Arms are kept raised
                  in the air with forearms vertical and upper arms
                  horizontal. The shoulders do not twist.
4-6         REPEAT measures 3-6 of the turns variation (3 Squat-Lifts)

            Note: When starting the step for the second time, leap 
                  into the air as you are starting the first measure.
            
            See the note under Turns above.


Dance Description by Tom Deering

Presented by Tom Deering