Crnogorka (Romania)

Formation	Open circle. V-hold.
Alternative Names	'Црногорка' is the original name. 'Crnogorka' is the standard Latin transliteration. 'Srnogorka' is an English transcription. 'Skopska Crnogorka' is a Latin transliteration of an alternative name.
Dance Structure	Basic figure repeated. .
Music Structure	6 counts/bar, 2 bar phrases.
Music Speed	110 counts/min rising to 125 counts/min.
Source	Filip Arilon at Rivieradance in Torquay, UK, in 2025. Alternative name from 'Doe Dans Basics 3'.

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.

A basic traditional dance essentially consisting of 5 steps & a lift each way but with increasingly lively variations.

It progresses through the variations (without going back) as called by the leader. Typically the Basic lasted about 1/4 of the dance, Variation 1 for the next 1/4 and then Variation 2 for the remaining 1/2.

It has long been established, with different variations, in the International Balkan dance social repertouire. E.g. was in Doe Dance Basics, the core reference for dances such in the Netherlands, as 'Skopska Crnogorka' in book 3 which was published in 1995. That in turn reports it as being introduced to the Netherlands in 1963. In that version the Basic is equivalent to Variation 1 here, Variation 1 is Variation 2 and Variation 2 has synopated double speed steps to the right.

Style: Normal walking in the basic variation. Lifts to about mid calf height. Triple steps light, bouncy, on balls of feet and about 15 cm off the floor.

Introduction

Summary: With main tune.

Start dancing at the start of any phrase once the main tune has started.

Basic

Summary: 5 steps to the R starting R, facing centre L lift. Grapevine L starting L side & R across infront, L side turning to face R, R lift.

Start

Facing acw around the circle. Weight on left foot.

1	R forwards walk.
2	L forwards walk.
3-4	Repeat counts 1-2 (R & L forwards walks).
5	R forwards walk, turning to face the centre of the circle.
6	L lift infront. Casual style with the lower leg remaining vertical.

1	L to the side.
2	R across infront.
3	L to the side.
4	R across behind.
5	L side turning to face acw around the circle.
6	R lift infront. Same style as bar 1 count 6.

Variation 1

Summary: As Basic but replace final step & lift with a triple step.

Start

Facing acw around the circle. Weight on left foot.

As Basic bar 1.

1-4	As Basic bar 2 counts 1-4.
5	L side turning to face acw around the circle. Brisker than in the Basic.
&	R close, slightly lifting L.
6	L in place, slightly lifting R.

Variation 2

Summary: As Variation 1 but replace walks with 2 triple steps and Grapevine with 2 triple step & hops.

Start

Facing acw around the circle. Weight on left foot.

1	R forwards.
&	L close.
2	R forwards.
3-4	Repeat counts 1-2 (triple step).
5-6	As Variation 1 (& Basic) bar 1 counts 5-6 (step R, lift L) but hop on the ball of the R foot whilst lifting the L.

1	Repeat bar 1 count 6 (hop on the R with L lifted). This does mean the pair of hops span the bar division, which can feel counter-intuitive.
2	Facing cw around the circle, L close onto ball of foot.
&	R forwards.
3-4	Repeat counts 1-2& (R hop, L close, R forwards).
5-6	As Variation 1 bar 2 counts 5-6 (L side turning to face acw, R & L in place).