French Tango-Mazurka Mazurka Clandestina (France - Belgium - Italy - Germany)

131 French Tango-Mazurka Mazurka Clandestina (France - Belgium - Italy - Germany)

This is an evolving form of contemporary French/Flemish mazurka, currently spreading to Italy, Germany and elsewhere. As a living tradition of evolving folk mazurkas, these variations show some influences from other partnered dances, especially tango. It has been disseminated via the annual Gennetines folk dance festival, and sometimes through today’s social media. The name of this dance has not been standardized. It is most often simply called mazurka in areas where this tradition of mazurka is common. It is sometimes called tango-mazurka because of the infused tango elements. Clandestina comes from the name of the impromptu outdoor gatherings where this mazurka is often danced. Music: 3/4 meter French and Flemish folk mazurkas, played more slowly than earlier folk mazurkas (115 BPM, with a typical range from 112-125 BPM), often with the traditional Polish mazur cadence on the final cts 4-5. Derniers Sourires by Le Sextet à Claques Information about downloading music on Pages 124-125. Formation: Couples in Ballroom Pos. Steps & Styling: Ballroom Pos: M facing W, standing close together. M’s R hand is around W’s waist on the L, reaching to her back. W’s L hand is on M’s R shldr. M’s L hand and W’s R hand are joined at shldr ht. Banjo Pos: Hand/arm same as Ballroom Pos, but the body is adjusted leftward so that R hips are adjacent. Flemish Mazurka Step: Small step L to L (ct 1); shift wt back to R (ct 2); bounce on R while touch L next to R (ct 3). Can be done with opp ftwk. In tango mazurka, the bounce is almost imperceptible.

Rotary Waltz: This is usually the standard folk CW turning waltz, but other kinds of waltz are occasionally seen, such as La Java simple stepping in place as you rotate, or a CCW Reverse Waltz. Pivoting Mazurka Step: M: CW Pivot Step R (ct 1); Pivot Step L (ct 2); raise R (ct 3). W use opp ftwk. Rearward Grapevine: Step L behind R (ct 1); step R to R (ct 2); step L in front of R (ct 3). Can be done with opp ftwk. Forward Grapevine: M step L to L (ct 1); cross R behind L (ct 2); step L to L (ct 3); as W step R to R (ct 1); cross L in front of R (ct 2); step R to R (ct 3). Parallel Break: In Banjo pos, M step R fwd in front, as W step L behind (ct 1); replace wt back on opp ft (ct 2); hold (ct 3). Tango Close: M step R to R (ct 1); touch L next to R (ct 2); hold (ct 3). W use opp ftwk.

STOCKTON FOLK DANCE CAMP – 2016 – FINAL 7/31/2016 132 French Tango-Mazurka, Mazurka Clandestina — continued

A wide variety of stylings are done, from smooth to bouncy; very close to partner or far apart; standing tall to slouched over. All steps tend to be small. This dance is usually danced on the spot, like salsa and tango, not traveling LOD like older mazurkas.

PRACTICE PATTERN Meas 3/4 meter Pattern I. TODAY’S BASIC STEP. 1-2 1 Flemish Mazurka Step, then 1 bar slightly turning (only about a quarter-turn) CCW waltz (W rock-steps back on cts 5-6). 3-4 1 Pivoting Mazurka Step beg opp ft rotating CW (pivot-pivot-raise), then 1 bar CW waltz. Note: This one is considered the “basic step” in today’s Mazurka Clandestina. 5-6 Repeat meas 1-2. 7-8 1 Pivoting Mazurka Step beg opp ft rotating CW, then 1 bar Tango Close.

II. GRAPEVINES. 1-4 1 Flemish Mazurka Step then 1 Rearward Grapevine. Repeat opposite, with M crossing behind. 5-8 1 Flemish Mazurka Step, 1 Forward Grapevine, M catches W in a Parallel Break, then Tango Close.

III. EASY TRIPLE MAZURKA. 1-4 3 Flemish Mazurka Steps then 1 bar CW waltz. 5-8 Repeat meas 1-4 on opposite side, again finishing with a CW waltz.

IV. EASY BASIC STEP PLUS REARWARD GRAPEVINE. 1-4 2 Flemish Mazurka Steps then 1 full CW Waltz. 1-4 2 Flemish Mazurka Steps, 1 Rearward Grapevine, both crossing behind at first, then Tango Close. Video of these figures danced freestyle, with some additional figures.

Presented by Richard Powers

STOCKTON FOLK DANCE CAMP – 2016 – FINAL 7/31/2016