*a Living dance is a 1st Generation dance that is still performed in the country of origin (or immigrant communities) as part of a social event like a wedding where others can participate (not for an audience) by people who learned the dance informally (from friends and relatives by observation and imitation, not in a classroom situation). For more information, click here and here.
The revision is to the last YouTube, labeled 17-Measure Čačak. The Comment by Rick King explains.
Čačak is a major regional city in central Serbia. It’s uncertain whether the dance was named after the town or vice versa. What is certain is that Čačak is one of the most popular dances among Serbians, both at home and among the diaspora, also in Bulgaria.
Most Serbs today dance a 10-measure (20 step) sequence, but there are other versions (below).
10-Measure Čačak
Here’s the 10-measure pattern being taught in Bulgaria (Čačak Horo). Note the side-crosses at the beginning are crossed in front.
12-Measure Čačak
8-Measure Čačak
17-Measure Čačak
COMMENTS:
Rick King wrote: “Re the čačak page, the “long” version you talk about at the end is actually 17 measures, not 16 measures. The extra measure comes in just before the 1-2-3-stamp, 1-2-3-stamp at the end in the form of 2 kind of reel steps. However, for the first time just a few weeks ago at the MPO convention in Ft. Wayne I saw this version danced in 16 measures where they left off the 2 reel steps. It was done by some *very* enthusiastic, young, 20-ish yo Macedonians and it could be that the leader just forgot the 2 reel steps in this instance. It was great to see these enthusiastic young dancers. Just like young Greek dancers might turn tsamikos into a running dance almost, these dancers were doing similar things to zaiko and other dances. You wonder though what will happen as they age, start having families, etc.” Rick King, Southfield MI. International Folk Dance Club of Detroit. Don’s reply – You’re right, Rick. I miscounted because the sound is not perfectly aligned to the music and I couldn’t see that well. I only saw it when I turned off the sound. I’m assuming you didn’t have those problems because you’ve danced it. I’ve corrected the captions to the YouTube. Thanks for the correction!
John Uhlemann wrote: “Čačak – there are other 10-measure variants of this that are often referred to by the tune name. Bela Rada is one such.”
Folkdance Footnotes 