
My hip replacement surgery is still more than a month away. I have pain every time I stand or walk. I miss my dancing.
I’m a sucker for the beautiful dances of Albania.
The first dance I ever learned to lead was Çobankat. In this video it is led by Lee Otterholt, a frequent guest workshop leader at Phoenix International Folk Dancers, who choreographed it:
Moj Maro Moj Marinë:
I know this dance as Populli Jon, but done to different music:
I love this one, Valle Pogonishte:
This song from Kosovo and Albania, Karafili, goes well with a Greek dance, Syrtos:
One I’ve never danced, Jarnana:
Another dance I don’t know, Oj Fato Fato:
Ketri Ketri, a Roma/Albanian dance:
Valle Shqiptare:
Valle E Permetit is another dance I like to lead. This is just a small portion of the dance, missing the transitional part that is done during the instrumental portions of the song. Note the “bicycle kick” step.
I don’t know all these Albanian dances, but when I hear the first bars of the ones I do know, I’m out on the floor, because they’re such beautiful dances. September, come fast—I can’t wait to dance again!