Ovčarkina
(Bulgaria)

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

Region Detail From Belomorska Trakia.
Alternative Names 'Ovčarkina' is the transcription given by Eddy.
'Ovcharkina' is an English transcription.
'Ovcarkina' is it reduced to ASCII by missing off the accents.
Formation Open circle. Belt-hold or V-hold.
Dance Structure Short sequence repeated throughout the music.
Music Structure 2 counts/bar, 12 bar phrases.
Music Speed 165 counts/min.
Source Eddy Tijssen at the 2011 Eastbourne International Folkdance Festival.

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 Eddy Tijssen.

A relatively straightforward (by Eddy's standards, that is; he used it as an introductory dance) lively Bulgarian dance. The distinctive jolly flowing feeling comes from the hop with the cocked leg going in followed by the jump onto both feet.

As with many Balkan dances, the name refers to a shepherd ('ovčar' = shepherd).

Traditionally in belt-hold but it was found that if belts are not available (as for many at EIFF) that basketweave-hold, the usual substitute, was too close for the turning in the jump so he substituted V-hold.

Style: Upright (not rigid but more than usual for Trakia) with the weight taken mainly on the balls of the feet (but stamps flat) with knees slightly bent and flexing naturally & comfortably for the lively bouncy motion. The impact of the jump is taken by bending the knees and naturally bounces into a lightness of lifting the foot for the subsequent step back. Light & jolly.

Introduction

Summary: Start at start of phrase.

None. Start at the beginning of any phrase.

Whole dance

Summary: (L side, R across behind) x 2.5, (R close stamp) x 2, pause. (R side, L across behind, R diag in, R hop lifting L dog-at-lamppost, L diag across in, jump to both feet) x 2. R back, L back, R close stamp, pause.

Start Weight on R foot.
1
1 L to the side.
2 R across behind.
2 Repeat bar 1 (L side, R across behind).
3
1 Repeat bar 1 count 1 (L side).
2 Stamp close R foot to left foot flat footedly without weight transfer.
4
1 Repeat bar 3 count 2 (R close stamp without weight transfer).
2 Pause.
5
1 R to the side.
2 L across behind.
6
1 Facing 45 cw of the direction to the centre of the circle, R forwards.
2 R hop lifting the L foot as it comes forwards into the subsequent step. The lift is done with the leg about 30 deg out to the side, with the knee bent and the knee slightly turned in (were it stationary it would be what is commonly called a 'dog at lamppost' stance).
7
1 L forwards.
2 Jump onto both feet landing with flat feet and slightly bended knees and facing the centre of the circle (or possibly even further acw of that in enthusiasm).
8-10 Repeat bars 5-7 (R side, L across behind, R diagonally in, R hop lifting L, L diagonally in, jump on to both feet).
11
1 R backwards.
2 L backwards.
12
1 R close stamp flat footedly with weight transfer.
2 Pause.

Notes by Andrew Hardwick.
Written 2011-8-17. Updated 2014-1-2.
Contact (email:info@duramecho.com).
Available on-line at http://duramecho.com.