FOREIGN FOLK DANCES

Foreign Folk dances are the movements of emotions and culture

within a specific country that are sometimes declared the national

dance. Those folk dances don't include the folk dances of our

own country but from the other country. Folk dances are based

on the culture and beliefs of the people inhabiting the area. They

are considered to be excellent activities that are rich in social

values, imagination, and dramatization.

FOLK DANCES FROM ASIA

Each country throughout Asia has its unique forms of dance based on its culture, tradition, and

history, lifestyle, the social and living environment also play a significant role in many ethnic

dances. The music and instrument reflect the difference and uniqueness of each region.

Their dances are more RITUAL, such as at a wedding, a feast of saints, and/or thanksgiving for a

good harvest. The dances reflect the enjoyment they feel when they are doing the dances.

FOLK DANCES FROM EUROPE

Europe has a long tradition of dancing. Most of their folk dances are formed for the need of the

people to socialize, interact and enjoy, unlike the dances from Asia. Their dances are

Varsovienne from Germany, Irish Lilt from Ireland, and Tarantella from Italy.

The dances are more on feet movement because of the climate. They have dances only for men

and dances for women, and they even have dances for couples.

FOLK DANCES FROM AMERICA

There are two folk dances from America; the La Cucaracha from Mexico and the Red River

Valley from the United States of America, which is a square dance. As you dance their dances,

you can feel the lifestyle of the Americans because it shows the tradition and their daily life.
COMMON DANCE STEPS

BLEKING STEP- Place R heel in front and hop on the L foot (ct. 1); with a spring, reverse the

position of the feet, that is, L heel is placed in front (ct. 2). This is taking one count for each

movement. Place R heel in front (ct. 1), step R close to L (ct. 2). This takes two counts for each

movement.

CHASSE (slides)- Slide R sideward (ct.1), step L close to R, or cut with the L (ct and). Two chasse

steps or two slides in one measure.

ROCKING STEP- fall unto L foot forward and raise R foot in rear (ct. 1), fall unto R foot backward

and raise L foot in front (ct. 2). The body is inclined slightly forward and back in a rocking motion.

SHUFFLING STEPS- shuffling steps are tiny sliding steps forward on the balls of the feet. Execute

as many as necessary.

COMMON DANCE STEPS

SKIP STEP- the movements are the same as in step-hop but done in one count only. Step on R

(ct. 1) and hop on R (ct. and). There are two skip steps in one measure. This may be executed in

any direction.

STEP-HOP- step R foot forward (ct. 1), hop on the same foot and raise the L foot in front or in

rear (ct. 2)

STEP-SWING-HOP- step R foot sideward (ct. 1), swing the L foot across the R in front, and hop on

the R at the same time (ct. 2).

STEP-POINT- step R foot sideward (ct.1), point in front or obliquely L forward(ct.2)

STEP-SWING- step R foot sideward (ct.1), swing the L foot across the R in front (ct. 2). This may be

executed in any direction.

TOUCH STEP-A. point R foot in front (ct.1), step R close L foot (ct.2)

B. hop on L and point R in front(ct.1); with a spring, reverse the position of the feet

(ct. 2). This is taking the step in one count.

CLOSE STEP- step R in any direction (ct.1), then close L to R (ct.2)

MAZURKA- slide R foot sideward (ct.1), cut R sideward with the L foot (ct.2), hop on L and bring

the R foot in front or in rear of the L ankle (ct.3). This is done with one foot leading and usually in

a sideward or forward direction.

CROSS WALTZ- step R across L in front and raise the L foot across in rear (ct.1) slightly, step L

close to R in the third rear (ct. 2), and step R forward (ct. 3). There is a slight bending of the knees

on ct. 1. Step on the ball of the rear foot on ct. 2. This step is usually done in forwarding or

sideward direction.

WALTZ BALANCE- step R foot forward (ct.1), close L to R in the third position or in the first

position and raise both heels (ct.2), lower heels with the weight of the body on the R foot (ct.3).

This may be done in any direction.

VARSOVIENNE STEP- step R foot diagonally forward R (ct.1), step L close to R in the third or in the

first position (ct. 2), step R sideward (ct.3). Point L foot in front (cts. 1,2,3). Bend the body toward

the pointing foot.

WALTZ STEP- step R sideward (ct.1), then close L to R (ct.2) and step R in place (ct.3)

REDOBA- slide R diagonally forward (ct.1), cut R with L (ct.2), and cut L with R (ct.3)