LEVENTIKOS

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 "Beranče" rhythmic and dance pattern. As with most Macedonian dances the basic pattern is just a framework on which every dancer adds his or her individual embellishments. Simos Konstandinou, the original source for this dance would "embellish the basic pattern as his feelings dictated virtually creating the dance each time he danced, yet always conforming to the stylistic character of the dance."

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 706 (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	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	With a small Skip, tuck the L foot closely up behind R

2	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

Presented by Tom Deering