AMOLITI GAIDA
                             Aegean Macedonia

This dance is closely related to other dances of south central 
Macedonia, Albania, and Northern Greece and conforms to the typical 
three-measure "Beranche" rhythmic and dance pattern.  Often dances 
from the same village share very similar patterns, rhythms and melodies.
In this case, Amoliti Gaida is very similar a shorter, three measure
dance, Leventikos.  Amoliti Gaida can be thought of as an extended 
version Leventikos, which moves only to the right, whereas Amoliti Gaida 
repeats the entire dance, with the same footwork, back to the left.

Source:     As learned by Tom Deering from Martin Koenig who learned it
            from Simos Konstandinou, from the village of Alona, 
            Florina, Greek Macedonia.

Rhythm:     12/16  counted:  Slow,  Quick,  Quick,  Slow,  Quick
                              1       2      3       4       5
                            1 & ah   2 &    3 &    4 & ah   5 &

Recording:  BALKAN ARTS  - BA 705 (7" 33rpm)

Formation:  Mixed lines, hands held up in "W" position. The leader on
            the right. The dance starts to the right with the right 
            foot free.

=======================================================================

Meas  Ct    PATTERN
----  --    -----------------------------------------------------------
1-2         Introduction

            BASIC PATTERN
            -------------
1     1     Facing center and moving R, Bounce on L lifting  R foot 
               slightly then moving R to R close to ground
      2     Bounce again on L continuing to move R foot and turning 
               to face R
      3     Step forward onto R
      4     Step forward onto L, slightly behind R
      5     Step forward onto R

2     1     Step forward onto L
      2     Bounce on L moving R foot close past L
      3     Step forward onto R
      4     Turning to face center Step forward onto L
      5     Step back onto R

3     1     Bounce on R beginning to swing L close to ground around to 
               behind R
      2     Bounce again on R continuing to move L foot 
      3     Step back onto L
      4     Step back onto R
      5     Turning to face L Step forward onto L

4-5         REPEAT measures 1-2 with same footwork but facing and 
               travelling left.

6     1-3   REPEAT measure 3 counts 1-3
      4     Step to R onto R
      5     Step forward onto L crossing in front of R in preparation
               for the beginning

            VARIATIONS - Can be used any time at the dancer's discretion
            ------------------------------------------------------------
1, 4  4     With a small Skip, tuck the L foot closely up behind R

2, 5  1     Keep some weight on R then Skip forward onto L
      2     Hop on L moving R foot close past L

2     4     Turning to face center, with L foot slight forward, Bounce on
               both feet, weight mostly on R

3     4     Bounce on both feet with R tucked up behind L, 
               weight mostly on L

Dance Description by Tom Deering