Muiere, Muiere
(Gypsy (Romanian))

[Full notes] [Summary notes] [Other dances & the source code]

Alternative Names 'Muiere, Muiere' was the name on workshop CD.
'Muiere Muiere' was the written up at the workshop CD.
Ethnicity Romanian Gypsy/Roma.
Formation Circle. V-hold (or no hold).
Dance Structure (((A1 + A2) x 2) + (B1 + B2) + (C1 + C2)) x 2 + (C3 + C4) + (((A1 + A2) x 2) + (B1 + B2) + C5)
Music Structure 4 counts/bar. 4 bar phrases.
Music Speed 120 counts/min.
Translation 'Woman Woman'.
Choreographer Daniel Sandu.
Source Cristina Casarini at the Eastbourne International Folkdance Festival, UK, 2009.

Disclaimer: Mistakes are quite likely in the notes and no guarantees are made as to accuracy. There may be other versions of the same dance or other dances with the same name. Music may differ, particularly in speed, introduction and duration, between performers. The division into parts, bars & counts might not be standard. These notes of the dance are freely distributable (under GPL or CC-by-sa) in so much as the note's author's contribution but the choreography and/or collection were by other people and so their copyright might apply to the dance itself. Better than using notes, go to a dance class where it is taught by Cristina Casarini or Daniel Sandu.

A jolly Gipsy/Romanian dance with a party feel to jolly upbeat Gypsy music with (to me) a Latin American feel despite being composed of normal Balkan folkdance steps.

The structure is not as complicated as my division of it above may suggest. I chopped into small similar parts for quick teaching. Essentially it is just 3 parts: Part A1 of 2 bars travelling in; Part B1 of 4 bars Grapevines travelling around; and Part C1 of 4 bars side to side on the spot. The rest are just tweaked versions of those consisting of mirroring (A2, B2 & C2), style change (C3 & C4), repeats ('x 2') & cutting short when the music ends (C5), all of which clearly fit the music.

This dance was sometimes done (other than Parts C3 & C4) in V-hold & sometimes with no hold throughout. I preferred the former as it makes the freestyle interlude look more dramatic and because it is easier to lead people in the travelling and so it is the one I have written up. (The no-hold one is the same other than not holding hands throughout, instead using arms ad lib similar to Parts C3 & C4, but less exaggerated, throughout.)

Style: Casual, lively and party-like. Casual but passionate Latin American / Gypsy feeling. Steps onto normal full foot or flat foot (for side to side bits) except where specified.

Part A1

Summary: In forwards R, L, R, L. Triple Step, L heel touch infront (across & side).

Start Facing the centre of the circle. Weight on L foot. V-hold.
1
1 R forwards.
2 L forwards.
3-4 Repeat counts 1-2 (R & L forwards).
2
1 R forwards.
& L forwards.
2 R forwards.
3 Touch L heel to floor across infront.
& Pause.
4 Touch L heel to floor to the side infront.
& Pause.

(This is based on a video recording of the final time we danced it. In my notes I wrote at the event in the lunch break, I had the order as 2 steps, Triple step, 2 step & the touches. Maybe it varied but more likely I simply wrote it down wrongly. Anyway, either order will fit.)

Part A2

Summary: Part A1 out backwards on opposite feet.

As Part A1 but on the opposite feet and travelling out backwards (out backwards L, R, L, R. L Triple Step, R heel touch infront across & infront to the side.). However the touches are still infront not changed to behind.

Part B1

Summary: (Grapevine L starting R across infront) x 1.5, sway R & L. Ditto but replace sways with R close lifting L, quick L (in place & lift).

Start Facing the centre of the circle. Weight on L foot. V-hold
1
1 R across infront.
2 L to the side.
3 R across behind.
4 L to the side. (This bar comprises a Grapevine to the L.)
2
1-2 Repeat bar 1 counts 1-2 (half a Grapevine to the L).
3 Sway to the R (keeping both feet on the ground but moving the hips Latin American dance like).
4 Repeat count 3 in mirror image (sway L).
3 Repeat bar 1 (Grapevine L).
4
1-2 Repeat bar 2 counts 1-2 (half a Grapevine to the L).
3 R close lifting the L (L foot goes to beside R leg at approx. ankle to mid calf height with foot inclined 45 deg down).
& L in place onto ball of foot.
4 Repeat count 3 (R in place lifting L).

Part B2

Summary: Part B1 mirrored.

As Part A1 but mirrored on the opposite feet and travelling to R (cw around the circle). ((Grapevine R starting L across infront) x 1.5, sway L & R. Ditto but replace sways with L close lifting R, quick R (in place & lift).)

Part C1

Summary: ((R side, L close, R side, L close touch), mirror, original. (L side, R close touch), mirror.) x 1.75, B2 bar 4 counts 3-4.

Start Facing the centre of the circle. Weight on L foot. V-hold
1
1 R to the side.
& L close.
2 R to the side.
& L close without weight transfer.
3-4& Repeat counts 1-2& in mirror image to the L (L side, R close, L side, R close touch).
2
1-2 Repeat bar 1 counts 1-2& (R side, L close, R side, L close touch).
3 L to the side.
& R close without weight transfer.
4 R to the side.
& L close without weight transfer.
3 Repeat bar 1 mirror image ((L side, R close, L side, R close touch), mirror).
4
1-2 Repeat bar 2 counts 1-2 & in mirror image (L side, R close, L side, R close touch).
3-4& As Part B1 bar 4 counts 3-4 in mirror image (L close lifting R, quick R in place, quick L in place lifting R).

Part C2

Summary: Part C1 mirrored.

As Part C1 but mirrored on the opposite feet ((L side, R close, L side, R close touch), mirror, original. (R side, L close touch), mirror.), repeat but replace the final 2 side & closes with R close lifting L, quick L (in place & lift).

Part C3

Summary: Part C1 freestyle.

Release hand hold and do as Part C1 but livelier (higher stampier steps) and freestyle (move the arms Latin American dance-like). The hand motion typically done is something like swinging (with elbows bent about 90 deg and hands mostly infront of the torso) as per walking but with Latin American Styling. It risks becoming a kids "roly-poly" or a humorous Hand Jive but it should be with cool Salsa-like styling. Done to an extra repeat of the Part C music.

Part C4

Summary: Part C2 freestyle.

As Part C3 but mirrored on opposite feet.

Part C5

Summary: Part C1 bars 1-2. R stamp infront (across, side).

The same as Part C1 but cut short and ending in stamps when the music ends.

1-2 As Part C1 bars 1-2 (R side, L close, R side, L close touch. Mirror.).
3
1 Stamp R flat footed across infront.
2 Pause.
3 Stamp R flat footed to the side infront.
4 Pause.