(POT-coo ma-SUR-ka)
Skandia CD, track 27
| Credible English Title | Kick Mazurka. |
| Heritage | Finnish. |
| Category | Individual couple dance. |
| Motivation and application | Recreation. |
| Type | Triple-meter (3/4). |
| Function | Individual couple dance. |
| Character and form | Lively, with strength and restrained gusto. |
| Footwork | Opposite. |
| Specific steps | Kick-mazurka, run, polka-mazurka turn. |
| Dance holds | Open single-hand hold. Baltic/mazurka hold (see description in Appendix A). |
| Formation | Couples in double circles around the room; M on inside, W on outside, facing CCW. |
| MEASURES | ACTION |
1 - 3 |
A. Mazurka and cross-over. Open single-hand position, free-hand fist on hip. Beginning on outside foot, three kick-mazurka steps forward LOD: Stamp (outside foot) - Step (inside foot) - Kick (outside foot). The kick is a quick, small, flick of the foot, out and in, as if trying to kick something off one's shoe. |
| 4 | Change places with three running steps (M swings W forward in front of and facing him, over to his L side), changing hands. |
| 5 - 7 | W is now on M's L side. Inside hands joined, free-hand fist on hip. Repeat above with opposite footwork. |
| 8 | With three running steps, as before, M swings W back to his R side. |
9 - 16 |
B. Polka-mazurka turn. Baltic/mazurka hold. 4 complete rotations CW using polka-mazurka turning step below. |
| COUNTS | ACTION |
| Description is for M's footwork, beginning M's L. W's footwork is opposite throughout, beginning W's R. | |
1 |
First ½ turn: M: With L side to LOD, very small jump into LOD landing on both feet but with weight on L. Feet are slightly separated on landing. |
| 2 | Close and step R foot next to L, with bounce. |
| 3 | Step L, with bounce, turning L heel strongly CW into LOD such that a complete ½ turn CW can be completed in this count. |
1 |
Second ½ turn (completing turn): With R side to LOD, very small jump into LOD landing on both feet but with weight on R. Feet are slightly separated when you land. |
| 2 | Close L foot next to R, with bounce. |
| 3 | Step R turning strongly CW into LOD such that a complete ½ turn can be completed in this count. |
The dance name Potku Masurkka or Kick Mazurka (sparkdans in Swedish) refers to the kicking action of the open mazurka step. The closed turn employs a form of polka-mazurka, essentially a polka step in 3/4-time, danced with a staccato bounce.
| Copyright © 1997 Skandia Music Foundation | Potku Masurkka |
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