                                OVCEPOLSKO ORO
                                   Macedonia

Named after the Ovcepole ("sheep field") region in central Macedonia,
which is located between Sveti Nikola and Stip, southeast of Skopje.
This dance shows a heavy Serbian influence, brought into Macedonia 
while it was under the Serbs and spread throughout the country largely
by the itinerant gypsies.

Source:     As learned by Tom Deering from Pece Atanasovski, at his
            camp in Otesevo Macedonia, 1976.

Pronounced: ohv-CHAY-pole-sko OR-o            

Rhythm:     11/16 counted:  Quick, Quick,  Slow,  Quick, Quick
                              1      2       3      4      5
                             2/16   2/16   3/16    2/16   2/16

Recordings: Jugoton LPY-50985: Macedonian Folk Dances, Pece Atanasovski
            AMAN LP 104
            Folklorist 45 rpm: FL-104: Boxell, Festival Records

Formation:  Danced in mixed lines holding hands with arms down 
            ("V" position) with the leader on the right end of the 
            line. The dance can be started on any measure. Step 
            changes are signalled by the leader when "the music 
            feels right."

Step Note:  Cukce: ("CHOOK-chay") Lift the heel of the supporting foot
            slightly before the beat, bringing it down on the beat. 
            The ball of the foot does not leave the floor.

=======================================================================
            
Meas  Ct    STEP 1 -  Walking step (slow music)
----- ----  ------------------------------------------------------------

1     1     Facing and moving R, bending slightly at the waist, 
               Step forward on R ft in line of direction (LOD)
      2     Continue through step
      3     Step on L ft forward in LOD, straightening body
      4     Cukce on L
      5     Step on R ft forward in LOD

2     1     Cukce on R
      2     Step on L ft forward in LOD, preparing to face center
      3     Turning to face center, Thrust R ft forward to center,
               toe down and close to floor
      4     Pull R back and Touch floor slightly back, next to L heel
      5     Leaving R where it touched floor, put Heel to floor taking
               full weight

3     1     Still facing center, small Step back on L
      2     Step in place on R ft
      3     Thrust L ft forward to center, toe down and close to floor
      4     Step on L ft slightly back, next to R ft
      5     Lift R leg up low in front of L shin

            STEP 2
            ------------------------------------------------------------

1     1     Facing and moving R, light Step forward on R ft in LOD
      2     Step forward on L ft in LOD
      3     Step forward on R ft in LOD, bending R knee slightly
      4     Hop on R ft, straightening knee
      5     Step forward on L ft in LOD

2     1-2   Continuing light running steps forward in LOD: 
               Step R, Step L
      3     Turning to face center, hop on L ft, Thrusting R ft 
               forward to center, toe down and close to floor
      4     Hop on L again
      5     Small Step back onto R ft

3     1     Small Step back onto L ft
      2     Step in place on R ft
      3     Small hop on R ft, Thrusting L foot forward to center, 
               toe down and close to floor
      4     Small Hop on R ft
      5     Small Step back onto L ft

            STEP 3
            ------------------------------------------------------------

1-2         REPEAT measures 1-2 of Step 2

3     1     Small Step back onto L ft
      2     Step in place on R ft
      3     Small hop on L ft, Thrusting L foot forward to center, 
               toe down and close to floor
      4     Small Hop on R, turning to face L
      5     Moving L, Step forward (RLOD) onto L ft

4     1     Hop on L ft
      2     Continuing L, Step forward on R ft
      3     Small hop on R ft, Thrusting L foot forward to center, 
               toe down and close to floor
      4     Small Hop on R ft
      5     Small Step back onto L ft

            STEP 4 - Turns
            ------------------------------------------------------------

1           REPEAT measure 1 of Step 3

2     1-2   Continuing light running steps forward in LOD: 
               Step R, Step L,
      3     Turning to face center, hop on L ft, Thrusting R ft
               forward to center, toe down and close to floor
      4     Hop on L ft again, beginning a single turn in place (CCW)
      5     Small Step onto R ft, continuing CCW turn

3     1     Small Step onto L ft, continuing CCW turn
      2     Step in place on R ft, finishing CCW turn to face center
      3     Small hop on L ft, Thrusting L foot forward to center, 
               toe down and close to floor
      4     Small Hop on R, turning to face L
      5     Moving L, Step forward (RLOD) onto L ft
      
4           REPEAT measure 4 of Step 3

            Note: When this step is called by the leader, everyone
            drops hands as the turn starts.  Hands are then placed on
            the hips with fingers back and palms out for the duration
            of the step.

            STEP 5
            ------------------------------------------------------------

1-4         REPEAT Step 3 until the end of the music


Dance Description by Tom Deering

Presented by Tom Deering