Staro Planinsko

STARO PLANINSKO
Serbian

PRONUNCIATION: STAH-roh PLAH-neen-skoh

TRANSLATION: Old mountain dance

SOURCE: Dick Oakes learned this dance from Dr. Anthony (Tony) Shay of the AMAN Folk Ensemble (aka, AMAN International Music and Dance Company) of Los Angeles, California. He taught this dance at the 1971 California Kolo Festival.

BACKGROUND: The Stara Planina is a range of mountains that runs southeast south of Zaječar along the border with Bulgaria. The Stara Planina is remarkable for its flora and fauna. Edelweiss grows there in the region of Kozyata Stena. Some of the most striking landscapes are included in the Central Balkan National Park with steep cliffs, the highest waterfalls in the Balkan peninsula, and lush vegetation. There are a number of important nature reserves such as Chuprene and Kozyata Stena.

MUSIC: Festival Records (45rpm) FR-4102

FORMATION: Open cir of mixed M and W with joined hands held down in "V" pos.

METER/RHYTHM: 2/4

STEPS/STYLE: The dance is done with small steps. Hops are low, with the ball of the foot remaining on the floor.

MEAS MOVEMENT DESCRIPTION

1-4 INTRODUCTION - 4 meas.

I. FIGURE ONE

1 Facing ctr with wt on L, touch R slightly swd R (ct 1); touch R next to and slightly fwd of L (ct 2);

2-3 Repeat action of meas 1 two more times;

4 With wt on balls of ft, pivot heels to R (ct 1); pivot heels to L (ct 2);

5 Step R twd ctr (ct 1); pause (ct 2);

6 Step L twd ctr (ct 1); hold ct 2);

7 Stamp R lightly (ct 1); pause (ct 2);

8 Stamp R lightly (ct 1); pause (ct 2);

9 Low hop L (ct 1); low hop L (ct 2); step bwd R (ct &);

10 Step bwd L (ct 1); step bwd R (ct 2);

11-12 Repeat action of meas 9-10 bwd with opp fwk.

II. FIGURE TWO

1 Quick, slight bend of L knee (ct 1); strike R heel lightly in place, straightening knees (ct &); repeat action of cts 1& (cts 2&);

2-3 Repeat action of meas 1 two more times;

4 With wt on balls of ft, pivot heels to R (ct 1); pivot heels to L (ct 2);

5 Step R twd ctr (ct 1); step L to R side of R (ct &); step fwd R (ct 2); pause (ct &);

6 Repeat action of meas 5 fwd with opp ftwk;

7 Repeat action of meas 5, stepping fwd L on final ct &

8 Stamp R lightly (ct 1); stamp R lightly (ct 2);

9-12 Repeat action of meas 9-12 of Fig I.

III. FIGURE THREE

1-12 Turning to face to the L in RLOD, repeat action of Fig II.

It is suggested that each figure be danced twice.

Copyright © 2012 by Dick Oakes

STARO PLANINSKO Serbian

PRONUNCIATION:	STAH-roh PLAH-neen-skoh

TRANSLATION:	Old mountain dance

SOURCE:	Dick Oakes learned this dance from Dr. Anthony (Tony) Shay of the AMAN Folk Ensemble (aka, AMAN International Music and Dance Company) of Los Angeles, California. He taught this dance at the 1971 California Kolo Festival.

BACKGROUND:	The Stara Planina is a range of mountains that runs southeast south of Zaječar along the border with Bulgaria. The Stara Planina is remarkable for its flora and fauna. Edelweiss grows there in the region of Kozyata Stena. Some of the most striking landscapes are included in the Central Balkan National Park with steep cliffs, the highest waterfalls in the Balkan peninsula, and lush vegetation. There are a number of important nature reserves such as Chuprene and Kozyata Stena.

MUSIC:	Festival Records (45rpm) FR-4102

FORMATION:	Open cir of mixed M and W with joined hands held down in "V" pos.

METER/RHYTHM:	2/4

STEPS/STYLE:	The dance is done with small steps. Hops are low, with the ball of the foot remaining on the floor.


MEAS	MOVEMENT DESCRIPTION


1-4	INTRODUCTION - 4 meas.

I.	FIGURE ONE

1	Facing ctr with wt on L, touch R slightly swd R (ct 1); touch R next to and slightly fwd of L (ct 2);
2-3	Repeat action of meas 1 two more times;
4	With wt on balls of ft, pivot heels to R (ct 1); pivot heels to L (ct 2);

5	Step R twd ctr (ct 1); pause (ct 2);
6	Step L twd ctr (ct 1); hold ct 2);
7	Stamp R lightly (ct 1); pause (ct 2);
8	Stamp R lightly (ct 1); pause (ct 2);

9	Low hop L (ct 1); low hop L (ct 2); step bwd R (ct &);
10	Step bwd L (ct 1); step bwd R (ct 2);
11-12	Repeat action of meas 9-10 bwd with opp fwk.

II.	FIGURE TWO

1	Quick, slight bend of L knee (ct 1); strike R heel lightly in place, straightening knees (ct &); repeat action of cts 1& (cts 2&);
2-3	Repeat action of meas 1 two more times;
4	With wt on balls of ft, pivot heels to R (ct 1); pivot heels to L (ct 2);

5	Step R twd ctr (ct 1); step L to R side of R (ct &); step fwd R (ct 2); pause (ct &);
6	Repeat action of meas 5 fwd with opp ftwk;
7	Repeat action of meas 5, stepping fwd L on final ct &
8	Stamp R lightly (ct 1); stamp R lightly (ct 2);

9-12	Repeat action of meas 9-12 of Fig I.

III.	FIGURE THREE

1-12	Turning to face to the L in RLOD, repeat action of Fig II.

	It is suggested that each figure be danced twice.
Copyright © 2012 by Dick Oakes