"How-to" Thessaloniki
(Choreographed Hassapiko)
"How-to" Introductory Materials.
Introduction:
This choreography was put together in the summer of 1999 by Pat Bates, with
help from Brenden Seaborn and Zorba. It is performed to the song "Thessaloniki"
from the Zig-Zag album "Mavro Triantafillo." It is best done with with 2 or 3
dancers per line. If more are to perform, utilize multiple lines in the
Hassapiko tradition. As the song is about a man's lost love, it is suggested
that women and men dance in seperate lines.
Knowledge assumed:
This is a Hassapiko, so the dancer wishing to learn this dance should be
familiar with our "normal" hassapiko. Knowledge of the variations
falirotissa,3-2-1, backup, grapevine, and grapevine flip will be helpful.
The steps in brief:
1: "INVOCATION," SLIDE RIGHT, SLIDE LEFT, SLIDE RIGHT.
2: BASIC, BASIC
3: TAP, TAP, 3, 2, DOWN (3)
4: TAP, TAP, 2, 2, CROSS-CROSS, CROSS-CROSS, TOGETHER, TOE, HEEL, HEEL, TOE
5: (slight hop into) BACKUP
6: HALF STEPS (3), BALL POINT & TURN
7: TAP, TAP, GRAPEVINE TURN
8: HALF BASIC, JUMP BASIC
9: KICK, DOWN, LEAN
10: BASIC
11: TAP, TAP, GRAPEVINE FLIP
12: REPEAT VARIATIONS 2-9.
13: SLIDE RIGHT, LEFT, TAP, DOWN.
Step Breakdown....
1) "INVOCATION," SLIDE RIGHT, SLIDE LEFT, SLIDE RIGHT
Dancers start with normal Hassapiko lineup, but with right hand over
heart (left hand on ajoining dancer's shoulder). As the music starts
pan the right hand, palm up, towards the audience to draw them into the
dance. The instant the singing starts (right hand should be on adjoining
dancer's shoulder), slide right, slide left, slide right in time to the
music.
2) BASIC, BASIC
Two basic steps as per normal Hassapiko EXCEPT instead of the "brush,"
swing L in front of R then touch L heel near inside R toe.
3) TAP, TAP, 3, 2, DOWN (3)
All variations that travel to the side utilize 2 taps, one to the rear
(as in "normal" hassapiko), the other a beat later 45 degrees to the right.
So this figure is:
L, R-tap, R-tap, 3 to the left, 2 to the right (as in falirotissa), "down
in front" (right foot forward), "down in back" (right foot behind, left
foot stays in place), and "down in front" again. The end dancers should
place their free hands over their hearts and the whole line bows during
"down in front," but everyone stays erect and free hands are out during
"down in back."
After the last "down in front," finish the figure by stepping R behind,
L behind, R, L, R, L HEEL.
4) TAP, TAP, 2, 2, CROSS-CROSS, CROSS-CROSS, TOGETHER, TOE, HEEL, HEEL, TOE
In a manner similar to figure 3, double-tap, 2 to the left, 2 to the
right, then a pair of "cross-cross" while traveling forward. As you finish
the last "cross-cross" bring both feet together. Then turn right toe out,
then right heel; right heel in, then right toe (as in end of "3,2,1," women's
variation).
5) (slight hop into) BACKUP
Do a slight hop as you start BACKUP. BACKUP is a variation borrowed from
normal hassapiko basic where there are 4 "behind" steps instead of 2.
L, tap, lift, behind, behind, behind, behind, R, L, R, L HEEL.
6) HALF STEPS (3), BALL POINT & TURN
This is the hardest figure in the entire dance.
Step forward on L, slide R toe under L heel which you lift simultaneously.
7) TAP, TAP, GRAPEVINE TURN
L, tap, tap, grapevine left and down. Up, then turn (don't pivot) R, L, R
with hands held head high. Reconnect shoulder hold as you step forward on
L, then rock back on R, and L HEEL.
8) HALF BASIC, LEAP BASIC
Half basic:
L, tap, lift, R behind, L behind and well to the left, bringing R foot off
ground slightly, rock back onto R, then bring L together. Jump both feet
apart, then -
Leap basic:
Then leap on left foot, well forward, crouched over, and perform an
otherwise normal basic. (JUMP, tap, lift, R behind, L behind, R, L, R, L HEEL)
9) KICK, DOWN, LEAN
L, tap, VERY HIGH LIFT (A bent knee kick), swing R behind L and go down
("down behind"), come back up as you first swing R out to the right, then
cross over L knee. Swing R as far as pratical to the right and plant
down firmly. Slowly (2 counts) drag R back to closed position. Swing L
as far as pratical to the left and plant down firmly. Again, slowly drag
L back to closed position.
NOTE: The "very high lift" will end up looking like a normal lift unless
wearing vraka,foustanella, or similar costume allowing freedom
of movement.
10) BASIC
Do one basic; resist the temptation to hop into it from the previous
figure.
11) TAP, TAP, GRAPEVINE FLIP
This is a standard grapevine flip, but with the two taps. As such, it
contains the only BRUSH in the entire dance, but finishes up with the
usual R, L, R, L HEEL.
12) REPEAT VARIATIONS 2-9
Now that you've had all that fun, you get to do it all over again, repeat
variations 2-9.
14) SLIDE RIGHT, LEFT, TAP, DOWN
When you finish the second "Kick, Down, Lean," slide right, then step
left, tap, and immediately down and hold. ("Down in front" with R in front
of L). All dancers should be bowed over, with the end dancers' free hands
over their hearts. If done correctly, the last beat of the music will
coincide with the the line going down.
Repeat:
Step forward on L, slide R toe under L heel which you lift simultaneously.
Almost repeat:
Step forward on L, tap R toe near L heel, then place ball of R to the left
of L toe (for 1 count), crouch down with hands at head height, then slowly
pivot on L using R to push yourself around. At about the 270 degree point,
you won't be able to push yourself around anymore, so step behind with R
while standing erect and reconnecting the shoulder hold. Continue by
stepping behind with L with the "normal" figure finishup (R, L, R, L-HEEL).
