TOPANSKO ORO

Macedonia

Topansko is also known as Topaan Oro and derives its name from Topaansko pole or Topaana, a sector of Skopje Macedonia, which, until recently, was mostly populated by gypsies. This dance belongs to the "Krsteno" (crossing) family of dances popular in the Vardar valley.

Source:	As learned by Tom Deering from Pece Atanasovski.

Rhythm:	12/16 counted: Quick, Quick, Quick, Slow, Slow

1 2 3 4 5

1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & a 5 & a

Recordings:	Jugoton LSY-61392

Formation:	Short mixed lines in a modified "W" position. the step changes are signalled by the leader at the leader's discretion

Step Note:	Čukče: With the weight fully on the appropriate foot, lift the heel of this foot slightly before the beat, coming down on the heel on the beat. The ball of the foot does not leave the floor. As the music becomes more energetic, a čukče can change into a hop.

Meas	Ct	BASIC PATTERN

1	1	Facing slightly and moving R, Čukče on L ft lifting R leg in front of L shin (M high, W low)

2-3	Step forward onto R ft

4	Čukče on R ft lifting L leg in front of R shin

5	Step forward onto L ft

2	1	Turning to face center, Čukče or hop on L ft lifting R leg in front of L shin

2-3	Leap onto R ft in place, sharply lifting L leg up in front or R (M high, W low). Pause in this position

4	Continue the pause until just before count 5

5	Swing L ft from the knee freely to just in back of the R knee in preparation for the following Čukče

3	1	Čukče or hop on R ft with L still behind R knee

2-3	Step onto L ft in place

4	Step onto R ft slightly in front of L (this is the "krsteno" step)

5	Step onto L ft in place

4-5	REPEAT measures 2-3

VARIATION

1	(1)	Facing slightly and moving R, Čukče on L ft lifting R leg in front of L shin. Note: This čukče is only done the first time as a transition from the basic pattern. Repeats of this variation will begin with a leap:

1	Facing slightly and moving R, Leap onto L ft

2-3	Step forward onto R ft

4	Touch ball of L ft to floor

&	Step forward onto R ft

5	Leap forward onto L ft

2	1	Touch ball of R ft to floor

&-2	Step forward onto L ft

2	(part of the step onto R above)

3	Leap forward onto R ft

4	Turning to face center, Leap slightly towards center onto R ft

5	Leap back to place onto R ft lifting L foot slightly in front

Continued...

TOPANSKO ORO continued

Page 2

Meas	Ct	VARIATION (Continued)

3	1	Hop on R ft turning slightly to the L picking L leg up and bringing it around to the back

2	Hop on R ft again, continuing CCW turning motion

3	Facing slightly L, Step on L ft

4	Step on R ft in place

5	Leap onto L ft in place

&	Step onto R ft in place

4	1	Still facing slightly L Leap onto L ft, in place, displacing R ft, turning slightly to the R picking R leg up and bringing it around to the back

2	Hop on L ft, continuing CW turning motion

3	Facing slightly R, Step on R ft

4	Step on L ft in place

5	Leap onto R ft in place

&	Step onto L ft in place

5	1	Still facing slightly R Leap onto R ft in place, displacing L ft, turning slightly to the R picking R leg up and bringing it around to the back

2	Hop on R ft, continuing CCW turning motion

3	Facing slightly L, Step on L ft

4	Step on R ft in place

5	Leap onto L ft in place

&	Turning slightly to the R, Step onto R ft in place

Turns can be added to any or all of the last three measures of the variation by extending the turning motion initiated at the beginning of the measure into a full turn. Squats can also be added by just squatting on count 4 and coming up on count 5 with the weight on the proper foot to continue the dance.

Dance Description by Tom Deering

Presented by Tom Deering