Dance of the Week

Russian Round 
(Russia)
Choreographed by Jim Gold 

Dear Dancers and Travelers,
Welcome to our folk dance family get together.
Russian Round is  the Dance of the Week.
Please
click 
on
the
happy links 
below.

Russian Round:  Demonstration by Jim Gold
Residents at Classic Residence in Teaneck  
Treasury of Int Folk Dances Written instructions: p 165   
(or see “Read More” below.)

                          Jim Gold demonstrating Russian Round

               Classic Residence Residents dancing Russian Round

Extra pleasures: Enjoy a story and song.
Story:  The Art of Bonality
Song:  Bonality Breakdown     

All  content created by Jim Gold. 
More information contact Jim
Blog history: blog archives

RUSSIAN ROUND. . . RUSSIA

Choreography: By Jim Gold using folk dance elements from traditional Russian steps.
Music: Barinya: Russian Folk Dances presented by Alexandru David “Bielolitsa, Krieglolitsa”
Meter: 4/4
Jim Gold YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sHLx-5KgYg&t=4s
Formation: Three concentric circles.
Steps given are for inner circle only.
Step Tossing: Inner circle dances first step, then passes or “tosses” it to the second circle, second circle the step, then tosses steps to third circle. This process continues throughout the dance.
Order:
1. Inner circle begins with step one. Second and third circle remain motionless.
2. Inner circle begins step two. Second circle begins step one. Third circle remains motionless.
3. Inner circle begins step three. Second circle begins step two. Third circle begins step one. Etc.

Introduction: 4 measures
Measures:

First Step:
Walking step: 15 Walking steps CCW:
1 Step R(ct 1), Step L(ct 2),
step R(ct 3), step, L(ct 4),
2 Repeat meas. 1
3 Repeat meas. 1
4 Step R(ct 1), step L(ct 2), step R and face ctr(ct 3), touch L to R(ct 4).
5-8 Repeat meas. 1-4 opp dir and opp ft

Second Step:
8 Side Steps, CCW:
1 Face ctr, step R to the right(ct 1),
bring L next to R (ct 2),
step R to the right(ct 3),
bring L next to R (ct 4),
2-3 Repeat meas. 1 2x
4 Step R to the right(ct 1), bring L next to R (ct 2), step R to the right(ct 3), touch L next to R (ct 4).
5-8 Repeat meas. 1-4 opp. dir.

Third Step:
Walks and turns:
8 quick-walk steps to the right, CCW:
1 Step R(ct 1), step L(ct &), step R(ct 2), step L(ct &),
step R(ct 3), step L(ct &), step R(ct 4), step L(ct &),
2 8 turning steps to the right, hold R hand in air:
Step R(ct 1), step L(ct &), step R(ct 2), step L(ct &), step R(ct 3), step L(ct &), step R(ct 4), step L(ct &),
3 Repeat meas. 1
4 7 turning steps to the right:
Step R(ct 1), step L(ct &), step R(ct 2), step L(ct &), step R(ct 3), step L(ct &), step R(ct 4),
touch L to R(ct &).
5-8 Repeat meas. 1-4 opp dir and opp ft, opp hand (L hand) raised in turn.

Fourth Step:
Gliding step: Stiff kneed walk, gliding step style: 3 gliding steps CCW:
1 Step R(ct 1), step L(ct &), step R(ct 2), step L(ct &),
step R(ct 3), step L(ct &), step R(ct 4), step L(ct &),
2-3 Repeat meas. 2x
4 Step R(ct 1), step L(ct &), step R(ct 2), step L(ct &), step R(ct 3), step L(ct &), step on R(ct 2),
touch L to R(ct &).
5-8 Repeat meas. 1-4 in opp dir and opp ft.

Fifth Step:
Russian Side Steps: Right hand behind head Russian style. Left fist on hip.
1-4 Repeat Second Step
5-8 Repeat meas. 1-4 opp dir and opp ft.

Sixth Step:
1-8 Repeat First Step

Seventh Step:
1-8 Repeat Fourth Step

Eighth Step:
8 waving-arms steps:
1-4 Repeat Second Step with arms moving side to side
like a windshield wiper.
5-8 Repeat meas. 1-4 opp dir.
Add waving handkerchiefs.

Ninth Step:
1-4 Repeat Third Step
At final turn, inner circle members, holding handkerchiefs in R hand, create wreath of handkerchiefs by offering (putting) their hand-held handkerchiefs into ctr.