26 September 2010 By Manos 0
One of the most popular pontic dances (Pontos is an area by the coast of Black sea inhabited by people with Greek language and culture). Kotsaris can be danced by men or women and is characterised by sharp and quick steps. It's name comes most probably from the words "kots"= heel and "airo"= lift, because all steps involve lifting the heels off the ground just slightly.
The dance is comprised of 8 steps and the music metre of 2/4 gets repeated 4 times, with each music phrase starting at the emphasised count numbers. (Counting (1) 2 (3) 4 (5) 6 (7) 8, emphasizing on (1), (3), (5), (7)).
Count (1): LF sligtly rises off the ground and returns to its initial position. This is immediately followed by a RF lift.
Count (2): RF lands in its position and LF lift follows.
Count (3): Repeat count 1.
Count (4): Lf step jumps on the spot, while RF remaines slightly off the ground.
Count (5):RF steps (small step) towards the direction of the circle (anti-clockwise).
Count (6): LF steps next and slightly behind the RF towards the direction of the circle.
Count (7): RF steps to the direction of the circle (feet slightly wide apart).
Count (8):LF comes and lands next and slightly in front of the RF.
Notes: 1) During the steps execution, knees should be bent slightly. 2) The dance can either be executed on the spot (static) or can be moved to the direction of the circle anticlockwise. 3) Variation: On counts (1) and (5) the whole of the feet hits the gound and on count 8 the heel of the left foot touches the ground.
Roumpis, G. 1993. Elliniki Hori. Athens, Greece: Smpilias publishers.
