OPA!! Welcome
to the Greek Festival. Here you will witness a variety
of traditional Greek folk dances performed by our dance
groups. The suite of dances will consist of Pan-Hellenic
dances (danced throughout Greece with regional variances)
and dances from the mainland and islands.
The most popular form of the Greek folk dance is the
open circle, with regular handhold position, moving
counter-clockwise. Next is the straight line with arms
on shoulders of adjacent dancers. The third form is
the curved-line dance with the basket-weave hold.
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The Kalamatiano is a type of Syrto. A Syrto is a dance that means
dragging or pulling, and is an ancient type of dance. A popular misconception
is that is originated in Kalamata; however, it is said to have originated
from a song about Kalamata. Kalamata was known for its handkerchiefs made
of Kalamata silk, during the Byzantine Empire, and used to separate the
dancers' hands. It is the national dance of Greece and is traditionally
danced as the first dance at a Greek celebration. Variations vary from village
to village.
The Hassapiko was the dance of the Butcher's Guild of Constantinople
during the Byzantine period. Then, the Hassapiko was known as Makellarikos,
from the "pure" word for butcher. THe dance remained popular for
many years in western Asia Minor and some islnds until 1922, and then was
absorbed by the rembetika music ("Underground" songs during the
wars and Great Depression) and became Pan-Hellenic. Usually tere are two
parts of the dance, one slow and one fast.
The Tsamiko is a Pan-Hellenic dance that can be traced back to the
Greek War of Independence. It is thought to be originally from Epirus, which
is in Northwestern Greece. It is traditionally a men's dance performed with
different acrobatic skills. The Hassapiko is an opportunity for the dancer
to show his capabilities. Women today dance the Tsamiko, but they do not
perform the acrobatic stunts. Instead, women daintily perform the basic
steps and a few variations.
Greek Folk Dance is an art that is well preserved. Throughout the United
States and within Greek communities, Greek dance is revered as a tie to
our culture, traditions, history and religion. Every dance is a celebration
of Hellenic spirit. |
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