Greek Dance Classes
Dances we perform each year at the Greek Festival!
Kalamatiano, The most universal Greek dance, this syrto (line dance) came from the town of Kalamata.
Tsamiko Tsamiko is an ancient warrior dance, in which the leader would perform energetic leaps. Today it is danced by both men and women all over Greece and the United States.
Kerkyreiko, Coming from the island of Kerkyra (the Greek name for Corfu), it is danced to one particular song, and can be done in a single-file line or as couples, reflecting the long-time Italian influence on the island
Karagouna This dance comes from the plains of Thessaly. Most Greek folk dances are danced in single lines; Karagouna is unusual in that it is a flirtatious couples' dance. In the days before dating, young people might meet and dance in the village square after church, to get acquainted. The word karagouna refers to the black coats worn by the region's women; the dance is done to one specific folk song which a woman so beautiful that the poor shepherd is willing to sell off his livestock in order to buy her jewelry.
Hassaposerviko This is sometimes called a "fast Hassapiko." It is a lively dance using a shoulder hold.
Kotchari Kotchari is a very vigorous (and difficult) Pontic dance. "Kotch" means "heel" in the Pontic dialect. Several of the dance figures feature dancers landing on their heels after a jump. The Pontic people were Greeks who colonized outside Greece in the Black Sea area during Turkish rule. Many later returned to the area north of Thessaloniki.
Kritiko Syrto Kritiko Syrto means Syrto from Crete. There are many variations to the dance; every village does it slightly differently.
Pentozali This very vigorous dance was used to help keep the Cretan soldiers in shape. Orchestras often play Kritiko Syrto and Pentozali back-to-back.
Zonoradiko Zonoradiko means dance of the belt, and sometimes these are danced while holding on to the next person's belt. The dance originally was done by men wearing baggy pants called Vrakas. This influenced the styling of the basic step.
Zorba This is a Syrtaki dance, starting out with a very slow Hassapiko step then growing faster and faster - ending in a lively Hassaposerviko.
Ikariotikos is a traditional dance and accompanying song originating in the island of Ikaria.
