Hälsingepolska © 1997 by SMF

HÄLSINGEPOLSKA

(HELL-sing-eh POHL-ska)

Skandia CD, track 35

NOMENCLATURE

Credible English Title

Polska from Hälsingland.

ETHNO-CULTURAL ATTRIBUTES

Heritage	Swedish, this version from Arbrå in Hälsingland.
U.S. Source	As danced in Sweden by Gordon E. Tracie and taught at Skandia Folkdance Society, Seattle.
Category	Regional ethnic dance.
Motivation and application	Recreational, non-performance-oriented.

MUSICAL ATTRIBUTES

Type

16th-note ("semiquaver") polska.

CHOREOLOGICAL ATTRIBUTES

Function	Individual couple dance.
Character and form	Smooth and pompous.
Footwork	Opposite.
Specific steps	Open polska step, closed polska turn, light run.
Dance holds	During introduction: Arm-in-arm, outside arms loose (hanging). During turn and rest: Polska hold (see description in Appendix A), but the M rests the side of the L hand, where the thumb is, on the W's R lower arm near the elbow from below.
Formation	Any number of couples in a circle moving LOD (CCW).

THE DANCE ROUTINE

As with all regional ethnic dances there are no specified number of measures for each variation.

Introduction:

The dance begins with the M escorting the W onto the dance floor, arm-in-arm, logically using an open polska step to match the music (M begins with L, W with R foot). When the M chooses, he transitions to the CW polska turn.

Polska Turn:

Man's step:

By the end of Count 1 of the previous measure, the M is facing out from the center of the hall, facing but slightly ahead of the partner.

Count 1: Step L making ¼ turn CW. The step is at an angle, across in front of partner.
Count 2: Set R close to the L and bend knees lightly, and pivoting ¼ turn CW. M now faces the center of the hall.
Count 3: Facing almost LOD, push off L foot while stepping forward on R (toe between W's feet), ½ turn with a gentle bounce.

Each polska step should begin facing in the same direction. In other words, each measure makes a complete turn. Cue: L, Both, R.

Woman's step:

Count 1: Start facing almost LOD, place R parallel to L ("Both").
Count 2: Step R ahead (between M's feet) while turning ¼ to the R with a light bending of the knees.
Count 3: While turning ½ R, take a long step forward (around the M) with the L.

While turn is in motion, placing the R parallel to L ("Both") becomes a continuation and completion of each rotation, such that W is always facing LOD (or nearly LOD) as she begins each turn with Both. Cue: Both, R, L.

Resting:

According to the M's choice, the dance can shift into the resting part. Maintaining polska hold, M and W dance to the left of each other, the M usually faces LOD, light running steps, one step to a beat. M starts with L, W with R.

The M indicates the transition to polska turn by stamping his R foot on the beat just before the start of the turn.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

(none)

Copyright © 1997 Skandia Music Foundation	Hälsingepolska
You may freely distribute this document provided you agree to retain this copyright notice and mention that a recording for this dance is on the Viking Skandia CD, available from www.folkdancing.com.