GRÂNČARSKO HORO

North Bulgaria - Severnjaško

Grančarsko Horo is the potter's dance. The movements of the dance reflect the foot actions required to spin a potters wheel. This version was learned by Yves Moreau in 1969 from Nasko Barmasev, leader of a folk group in Loveč, a town in North Bulgaria.

Rhythm:	9/16 counted: Quick, Slow, Quick, Quick

1 2 3 4

2/16 3/16 2/16 2/16

Recording:	XOPO LP-4 or any "Grânčarsko" of a suitable tempo.

Formation:	Short mixed lines of men and women, hands joined down. The entire dance is danced facing "center."

Style:	Very light, the body is erect at all times. Arms swing forward and back rhythmically throughout the dance.

Meas	Ct	BASIC STEP (L) - The potter's movement

1	1	Facing center and dancing in place, Hop on L, raising R knee

2	Step R next to L, raising L knee

3-4	Hop on R, pumping L foot Down then Up slightly in front of R (This motion imitates pushing the potter's wheel)

2	Repeat this step with opposite footwork for the Basic Step (R)

INTRODUCTION

1-4	Four Basic steps L, R, L, R

FORWARD AND BACK

1	1	Moving lightly and swiftly forward, Hop on L

2	Low reaching Step forward with R

3	Close L next to R

4	Low reaching Step forward with R

2	1	Close L next to R

2	Low reaching Step forward with R

3-4	Hop on R, pumping L foot Down then Up slightly in front of R

3-4	Two Basic steps, R, L

5-8	REPEAT measures 1-4 with opposite footwork and direction

CROSSING

1	1	Moving slightly R, Hop on L

2	Small Step on R to R

3	Step lightly in L in front of R

4	Step on R to R

2	1	Step lightly in L behind R

2	Step on R to R

3-4	Hop on R, pumping L foot Down then Up slightly in front of R

3-4	Two Basic steps, R, L

5-8	REPEAT measures 1-4 with opposite footwork and direction

GALLOP SIDEWARD

1	1	Moving R, Hop on L

2	Low reaching Step sideward with R

3	Close L next to R almost displacing R

4	Low reaching Step forward with R

2	1	Close L next to R almost displacing R

2	Low reaching Step forward with R

3-4	Hop on R, pumping L foot Down then Up slightly in front of R

3-4	Two Basic steps, R, L

5-8	REPEAT measures 1-4 with opposite footwork and direction

Each of the steps is done twice (16 measures). After the introduction, alternate the Crossing step then the Galloping step with the Forward and Back step (starting with the Forward and Back). In Yves' original description, he adds 4 basic steps before each of the moving steps.

Dance notes by Tom Deering (after Yves Moreau)

Presented by Tom Deering