Milanovo Kolo

 

Origin:

Serbia

Background:

“Kolo” means circle.  Kolos are the predominant dances in Serbia.  This one is named after Milan, a man’s name – thus Milanovo Kolo, or “Milan’s Circle.”  It is acceptable to shout during the dance – “hey,” “hup,” “Veselo,” “Hupatsoop,” “Hej, Haj, Bozhe Daj,” etc.  This dance has several regional variations in the U.S.  Variations in the east are attributed to Pittsburgh Serbs, and in the west to unknown folk dancers.  Please note that there are more variations than have been noted in these instructions, and that all variations are not compatible with each other.

Music:

Festival Records (45rpm) FLP-4505,          Festival 1034
RCA (45rpm) EPA-4129,                           RCA (LP) LPM 1620
Stanchel (78rpm) 1011-B,                           Folkraft 1549 (45rpm)

Sheet Music:  Geisler, Richard. "Milanovo Kolo", The Yugoslav Collection, The Village & Early Music Society, 15181 Ballantree Lane, Grass Valley, CA 95949-7633.

Sheet Music:  Vancouver International Folk Dancers Music Book, Vol. 2., Deborah Jones, 1982.

Rhythm:

4/4

Formation:

Open circle, hands joined down, leader on right end of line

 

 

 

Measure

Pattern

 

Part 1  (an eastern variation)

1

Face to right and move CCW, step-hop on R (ct 1,2), then step-hop on L (ct 3,4).

2

Face center of circle, step sdwd to R on R (ct 1), step on L behind R (ct 2), take 3 quick light steps in place, RLR (ct 3&4).

3

Face to L and move CW, repeat Meas 1 with opposite footwork – step-hop on L (ct 1,2), step-hop on R (ct 3,4).

4

Face center of circle, repeat Meas 2 with opposite footwork – step sdwd to L on L (ct 1), step on R behind L (ct 2), take 3 quick light steps in place, LRL (ct 3&4).

 

 

 

Part 2 (an eastern variation)

1, 2

Move to center, starting on R, step-together-step, pause (ct 1,2,3,4).  Continuing twd center, starting with L, step-together-step, pause (ct 1,2,3,4).  At the same time, bring joined hands up to shoulder level, arms straight.

3, 4

Backup from center, starting with R, step-together-step, pause (ct 1,2,3,4).  Continuing bwd, starting with L, step-together-step, pause (ct 1,2,3,4).  At the same, time bring joined hands down to sides.

 

Milanovo Kolo                                                                                                         Page 2 of 2

 

Measure

Pattern

 

Part 1 (a western variation)

1

Face diagonally to R, move on the diagonal into center, step-hop on R (ct 1,2), then step-hop on L (ct 3,4).  At the same time, raise hands up to chest level, arms straight.

2

Face diagonally L, move on the diagonal backing away from center, step on R (ct 1), step back on L (ct 2), take 3 quick light steps in place, RLR (ct 3&4).  At the same time, lower hands to sides.

3

Repeat Part 1 meas. 1, with opposite footwork and direction - Face diagonally to L, move on the diagonal into center, step-hop on L (ct 1,2), then step-hop on R (ct 3,4).  At the same time, raise hands up to chest level, arms straight.

4

Repeat Part 1 meas. 1, with opposite footwork - Face diagonally R, move on the diagonal backing away from center, step on L (ct 1), step back on R (ct 2), take 3 quick light steps in place, LRL (ct 3&4).  At the same time, lower hands to sides.

 

 

 

Part 2 (a western variation)

1

Facing center, cross R in front of L (ct 1), rock back on L in place (ct 2), step R crossed in front of L (ct 3), hop on R while swinging L to front of R in preparation for next step (ct 4). 

2

Step L crossed in front of R (ct 1), rock back on R in place (ct 2), step L crossed in front of R (ct 3), hop on L while swinging R to front of L in preparation for next step(ct 4).

3, 4

Repeat Part 2, meas 1, 2.

 

 

Please note that the two variations presented here are not compatible with each other.  That is, they can’t be done together in the same line. 

 

 

Presented by Leslie Hyll (Dayton, Ohio) at the 2009 Door County Folk Festival (Wisconsin)