Kuratsa (Curacha)
(Visayan)This is a very popular dance in the Visayan Islands. It is also found in the Ilocos and Bicol regions.
There are many kinds of Curacha dances, the number of steps and figures of which are unlimited.
The dancers make and select their own dance steps so that everything formance. Expert dancers perform steps which are complicated and which call for great dexterity and agility on their part. Usually the boy’s steps are harder than the girl’s .
The dance described below was found in Leyte and the steps have been selected from a large number found in this province. It is very lively dance.
COSTUME. The Girl wears patadyong and camisa or kimono the Boy, barong tagalong and white or colored trousers.
MUSIC is divided into three parts: A, B, and C.
COUNT one, two, three, to a measure.
FORMATION. Partners stand opposite each other about six or eight feet apart. When facing audience, Girl stands at partner’s right side. Ordinarily, only one pair dances this, but any number of pairs may take part.
Music Introduction.
Partners join inside hands, free down at sides. Starting with Right foot, take three steps forward
(counts ,1,2,3). Put feet together and bow to partner or audience (count 1)...........................4counts
Dancers separate about six feet apart. The last two counts of music are not played until the
partners are in their proper places (counts 2,3)........................................................................2 counts
Music A.
(a) Starting with Right foot, take four steps forward to be side by side (Left to Left
shoulder) at center (counts 1,2,3), transfer weight to Right foot in rear (count 2),
transfer weight to Left foot in front (count 3). Hands down at sides and swing
naturally in time with the music or Girl holds skirt, Boy places hands on waist
while doing the four steps forward on counts 1,2,3,1. Right arm in fifth position
and Left hand on waist when transferring weight on counts 2,3........................................2M
(b) Starting with Right foot, take four steps backward to proper places. Hands as in (a)
(4 counts), two-step turn right in place, Girl holding skirt, Boy’s hands on waist
(2 counts)...........................................................................................................................2M
(c) Repeat (a), this time partners stand by each other’s Right shoulder at center.................2M
(d) Starting with Right foot, take four steps forward to partner’s place (4 counts),
two-step turn right about to face partner (2 counts)........................................................2M
(e) Repeat all (a-d), finishing in proper places, facing each other..........................................8M
Music B.
(a) Sway balance with a raise, Right and Left. Arms in fourth position, Right and Left
arm high or arms bent forward at shoulder level, opening and closing with a
forearm turn...............................................................................................................4M
(b) Execute three waltz half-turn right to partner’s place (one waltz step for every
Half-turn). Forearm turns, Right and Left alternately. Finish facing partner.
Pass each other by Left shoulders............................................................................3M
(c) Repeat (a) and (b), finishing in proper places............................................................7M
(d) Repeat all (a-c)...........................................................................................................14M
Music C.
Face left – Boy faces audience, Girl, away from audience. Starting position – Right
Foot in fifth position in front.
(a) With Right foot leading, take seven mincing steps moving sideward right
toward partner’s place (take six mincing steps for the first three counts
and one only on the fourth count). Right arm in fifth position, Left hand
on waist (4 counts). Turn right about on the ball of the Right
foot (2 counts).........................................................................................2M
(b) With Left foot leading, repeat (a) going to partner’s place. Reverse
position of arms (4 counts), turn left about on ball of Left foot
( 2 counts)................................................................................................2 M
(c) Repeat (a).................................................................................................2M
(d) Cross-turn right. Bend trunk and knees slightly while turning and straighten
them at the close of the turn, Salok Left hand across body while turning,
right hand on waist or in fifth position. Finish facing each other............2M
(e) Repeat all ( a-d), finishing in proper places facing partner......................8M
Music B.
(a) Repeat figure II (a).............................................................................4M
(b) Starting with Right foot, take two watz steps forward to form one
line at center facing audience, Girl standing in front of partner (2M).
pause (1M).............................................................................................3M
(c) Take four waltz steps sideward, Right and Left alternately. Arms in
lateral position, moving sideward right and left alternately..................4M
(d) Repeat figure II (b).................................................................................3M
(e) Repeat all (a-d), finishing in proper places............................................14M
Music C.
Face left as in figure III.
(a) Execute tiny steps moving to sideward right. The Right foot steps
forward and backward alternately, while the Left foot moves little
little to sideward right. Partners meet at center in a back-to-back
position at the end of the fourth measure. Right arm in fifth and
left bent forward at shoulder level................................................4M
(b) With partners in back-to-back position and close to each other,
continue doing the same step, turning clockwise in place. Arms as
in (a)..............................................................................................4M
(c) Continue doing the same steps moving clockwise. Reverse the
Position of arms every two measures or every measure..............6M
(d) Waltz turn right to proper places. Arms as in figure II (b).............2M
Music B.
(a) Sway balance with a hop, Right and Left . Arms in fourth position,
Right and Left arm high alternately..............................................4M
(b) Take two waltz steps forward to meet partner at center. Arms in
Lateral position, moving sideward right and left(2M).
Pause (1M)..................................................................................3M
(c) Right arm bent forward at shoulder level, Left arm in fifth
position. Point Right foot sideward (counts 1,2), point Right in front
(count 3). Point Right sideward (counts 1,2), point Right close to Left
in first and bend body jerkily toward pointing foot and at the same
time lowering Right elbow close to waist (count 3).........................2M
(d) Repeat (c).....................................................................................2M
(e) Starting with Right foot, take two waltz steps forward to partner’s place.
arms as in (b), passing by Right shoulders..............................................2M
(f) Waltz turn right about. Finish facing partner. Arms in figure II (b).........1M
(g) Repeat all (a-f), finishing in proper places..............................................14M
Music B. Play faster and once only.
(a) Starting with Right foot, take two waltz steps forward to meet at center.
Arms in lateral position, moving sideward right and left.........2M
(b) With Girl leading, partners waltz to any direction as if Boy is
chasing Girl. Girl turns around to face partner once in a while,
then continues
to move in any direction. Arms as in
(a)..........................................................................................10 M
(c) Partners join inside hands, Girls standing at right (1M), bow to
Each other or to audience (1M).................................................2M
No comments:
Post a Comment