GRAOVSKO HORO
                    Sofia District (Shope Region), Western Bulgaria

Source:      As learned by Tom Deering from various people over the years. This
             arrangement is really a combination of two dances, Graovsko Horo
             and Divotinsko or Sitno Shopsko Horo, the latter done when the
             music changes tempo and melody.
Rhythm:      Graovsko (slower):      2/4 counted  1 & 2 &
                The predominant sense of the rhythm can be spoken as 
                "GET your PApers HERE," counted: 1..45.78, 1,5,7
             Divotinsko (faster):    2/2 counted  1 2
Music:       Any Graovsko music be used, although for this arrangement music
             that changes to the faster Sopsko Horo at the end is required. The
             following recording is excellent:
                Balkanton BHA 1971: Malashevsko Horo

Formation:   Short lines of men and women. Dancers can hold belts or hands,
             although not mixed in the same line. Belt hold is most common.

             The dance travels to the right, with the leader on the right end.
             At the beginning of each Graovsko dance pattern, the dancers will
             be facing left and moving right (backwards). The Divotinsko
             section is danced essentially in place.

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Meas  Ct     Basic Graovsko (slower music)
----  --     -------------------------------------------------------------------
             Start with weight on L foot, facing L ready to move R

1     1      Facing L, Step back onto R
      2      Step on L beside R
2            REPEAT measure 1

3     1      Turning to face R (line of dance), Step on R
         &      Step on L beside R
      2         Step on R
4     1      Touch L beside R
         &      Small Bounce on R lifting L in place ever so slightly
      2         Step forward onto L

5     1      Turn to face center, leaving some weight on L, Step on R in place
                next to L with slight jump
      2      Lift L up sharply in front of R leg

6     1      Step on L sideways to L
      2      Step on R in front of L, bending both knees
7     1      Step on L sideways to L, straightening both knees
      2      Step on R behind L

8     1      Leaving some weight on L, Step on L in place with slight jump
      2      Lift R up in front of L leg

9     1      Touch R next to L
         &   Small bounce on L, Lifting R slightly
      2      Step on R across in front of L, bending both knees slightly
10    1      Touch L next to R, standing tall
         &   Small bounce on R, Lifting L slightly
      2      Step on R across in front of R, bending both knees slightly


Meas  Ct     Variation I (Substitute the following into the basic dance)
----  --     -------------------------------------------------------------------

3     1      Turning to face R (line of dance) Step on R forward, bending knees
                and leaving L in place
      2      Rise up by straightening R knee, lifting entire body up about 6".
                L foot should be off the floor
4     1      Step on L beside R
         &      Step on R beside L
      2         Step on L forward

Meas  Ct     Variation II - Prances  (Substitute into the basic dance)
----  --     -------------------------------------------------------------------

9     1      Step on R in place, lifting L knee across in front of R leg
      2      Step on L in place, lifting R knee across in front of L leg
10           REPEAT measure 9

Meas  Ct     Divotinsko or Sitno Shopsko (fast music)
----  --     -------------------------------------------------------------------

Shopka Step (each step is 1 meas. long but usually done in even numbers):

1     1      With weight on ball of L foot and R foot off the floor, Touch ball
                of R foot next to L, while also bouncing on L so L heel touches
                floor
         &   Lift R foot straight up while also bouncing on L so L heel touches
                floor
      2      Step on R in place, lifting L foot
2            Repeat measure 1 with opposite footwork

The Dance Sequence - repeat to the end of the music

1-8          Standing tall and facing center, 8 Shopka Steps in place

9     1      Touch R heel forward, dropping R shoulder very slightly
      2      Step on R slightly behind where heel touched floor
10           REPEAT measure 9 with opposite footwork

11    1      Lift R slightly behind while tapping L heel and dropping R
                shoulder very slightly
      2      Step on R slightly behind

12           REPEAT measure 11 with opposite footwork

13    1      Lift R slightly in front while tapping L heel
      2      Stamp R heel slightly in front
14    1      Step on R in place lifting L slightly in front
      2      Stamp L heel slightly in front

15    1      Step on L in place, scooting R foot forward (scissor step)
      2      Step on R in place, scooting L foot forward
16
      1      Bring L next to R and tap Both heels on floor
      2      Lift R sharply up in front of L knee while tapping L heel

Dance Notes by Tom Deering