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!