La Mușata Armână

History

A Romanian dance, from Romanian emigres who returned to Dobrugea from Greek Macedonia in the 20th centrury. I learnt it from David Roberts in July 2007.

Rhythm

The dance is in a fast 7/8 rhythm, mostly split into 3-2-2 but with a couple of exceptions. In the steps description below a slow step is 3 and a quick is 2.

Steps

Start in a circle with arms in a W hold, facing right of centre.

First Part

Step forward with the right foot (quick), and then give a little hop (very quick - just 1 beat). Cross the left in front of the right (quick), then step forward with the right (quick).

Step across in front with the left (slow), forward with the right (quick), and cross in front with the left (quick).

Turn to face centre and step to the side with the right (slow), then close the left to the right (very slow - 4 beats). Repeat this to the left.

Do the first part four times.

Second Part

Step back with the right while extending the arms forward and then lowering them to a V hold (slow), close with the left (quick), and replace the right (quick).

Step forward with the left while bringing the arms up to a W hold (slow), close with the right (quick), and replace the left (quick).

Then do the first half of the first part - right to the side (quick), hop (very quick), left cross in front (quick), right to the side (quick), left cross in front (slow), right to the side (quick), left cross in front (quick).

Step back with the right while extending the arms forward and then lowering them to a V hold (slow), close with the left (quick), and replace the right (quick).

Step forward with the left while bringing the arms up to a W hold (slow), hop on the left (quick), and cross the right in front (quick).

Turning to face left of centre step to the side with the left (slow), close with the right (quick), step to the side with the left (quick).

Turn to face centre and close the right with a stamp (slow), then pause (very slow - 4 beats).

Do the second part twice.

The tune for the second part plays through once as an introduction, the dance starts with the singing.

Music

La Mușata Armână from Balkan Spirit 7 produced by David Roberts.