Movements
Although Syrtos has many varying steps throughout the regions to suit their traditions, some of the consistent components in all the versions include:
-Chain of dancers (line dances that form a semi-circle/open circle)
-Facing sideways
-Holding hands
-Moving to the right
Other moves that are common in Syrtos dances are steps crossing over the other foot, and small hops. Syrtos dances are typically very simple, so that the whole village can participate. The dancer at the right end of the line is the leader, who may improvise intricate patterns while doing the basic steps. Leaders commonly improvise using steps such as turns, through the arch, dancing backwards and knee bends. The dancers in the chain maintain a simple step but the leader often improvises, often breaking away from the line. The leader will leap and improvise before passing his/her handkerchief to another person, making them the new leader.
Basic sequence:
1Facing ctr, step R swd (ct 1); step L across in back of R (ct 2); step R to R, turning to face diag R in LOD (ct 3);2Moving in LOD, step L across in front of R ct 1); step R (ct 2); step L (ct 3);3Turning to face ctr, step R twd ctr (ct 1); small step L fwd (ct 2); small step R bwd (ct 3);4Still facing ctr, step L bwd (ct 1); small step R bwd (ct 2); small step L fwd (ct 3).
-Chain of dancers (line dances that form a semi-circle/open circle)
-Facing sideways
-Holding hands
-Moving to the right
Other moves that are common in Syrtos dances are steps crossing over the other foot, and small hops. Syrtos dances are typically very simple, so that the whole village can participate. The dancer at the right end of the line is the leader, who may improvise intricate patterns while doing the basic steps. Leaders commonly improvise using steps such as turns, through the arch, dancing backwards and knee bends. The dancers in the chain maintain a simple step but the leader often improvises, often breaking away from the line. The leader will leap and improvise before passing his/her handkerchief to another person, making them the new leader.
Basic sequence:
1Facing ctr, step R swd (ct 1); step L across in back of R (ct 2); step R to R, turning to face diag R in LOD (ct 3);2Moving in LOD, step L across in front of R ct 1); step R (ct 2); step L (ct 3);3Turning to face ctr, step R twd ctr (ct 1); small step L fwd (ct 2); small step R bwd (ct 3);4Still facing ctr, step L bwd (ct 1); small step R bwd (ct 2); small step L fwd (ct 3).