The Beginners list below is followed by a complete alphabetical list of all our dances.

Dances for Beginners

Below is a list of dances with relatively simple rythms and simple intuitive steps. They’re arranged in an approximate order of ease with the easiest at the top. If you’re new to folk dancing we hope this will provide another avenue for learning. You might try watching and practicing a selection of these at home and then request them at our dance gatherings.

This is a work in progress and not an exhaustive list. We hope it helps you get a start, and if it does, check back for updates, or watch for update announcements in the newsletter. (Use the Contact page to sign up if you’re not getting the newsletter.)

Line, Circle, and Individual Dances

Kortanc (Hungary)
Setnja (Serbia) Our version switches to a slightly faster step near the end, but don’t panic it’s the same step just a bit faster with a skip in it, and the hand hold changes from elbow link to a simple V hand hold.
Biserka-Bojarka (Serbia)
Ivanica (Macedonia)
Ini Vitui (Romania) In our version, hands are down in the last figure and the step is slightly more syncopated.
Idam ne Idam (Macedonia/Bulgaria)
Lesnoto (Macedonia)
Jacobs Ladder (Isreal)
De secerat (Romania)
Alunelul (Romania)
Hora de la Munte (Romania)
Tino Mori (Macedonia) The triple rocking back and forth after the last pattern happens only when they’re singing. If no singing then just rock once.
Ali Pasha  (Turkey)
Zemer Atik (Israel) Hand hold is put your left hand at your shoulder palm up, and reach your right hand out and place it on the upturned palm of the person in front of you.
Ma Na’Avu (Israel)

Couple Dances and Set Dances

Eastborne Rover This is probably our simplest set dance. You won’t likely be able to practice it at home, but the demonstration makes the patterns pretty clear, and this is one set dance that lends itself well to having a partner and other dancers lead a new person through.
Tant’ Hessie (Colonial South Africa) A mixer—you dance in couples, three simple patterns, and then change partners, moving around the circle of dancers.
Ve David (Israel) Mixer

Alphabetical List of Co-op Dances

Here is our complete dance list. If a dance is preceded by an asterisk (*), it is not normally programmed, but only played when requested. Dance names shown in color or underlined include links to a video of the dance. Click on the dance name to see the video. Some videos will be slightly different from what we do at the Pasadena Folk Dance Co-op.

C=Couple
I=Individual
L=Line
M=Mixer
S=Set
T=Triple
TM=Triple Mixer

If you would like to see a syllabus or written description of the steps for a dance, visit the Folk Dance Federation of California, South. Click on Dances. Syllabi and videos may differ from the way dancers in your group actually do a dance.

Please note: Listing links to dance videos is a work in progress and is not perfect. If you want to suggest a video, please use the Contact page to send its URL.

I  Adama Veshamayim  (Israel)
C Ada’s Kujawiak #1 (Poland)
C Ada’s Kujawiak #3 (Poland)
L* Adjon az Isten (Hungary)
L Agadelcha (Israel)
L* Agir Govenk (Turkey)
L* Aj Lipo Ti Je (Croatia)
L* Ajde Lepa Maro  (Serbia)
L  Ajnzerica  (Croatia)
C* Alei Givah  (Israel)
L* Alekovski Opas  (Bulgaria)
C  Alexandrovska  (Russia)
L* Ali Ali  (Lebanon)
L  Ali Pasha  (Turkey)
L  Alunelul  (Romania)
L*  Alunelul de la Urzica (Romania)
L  An Dro Retourné  (Brittany)
M  Apat Apat  (Philippines)
L  Arap  (Bulgaria)
L* Arap  (Macedonia)
M  Arnold’s Circle  (England)
L  Ashrei Ha’Ish  (Israel)
L  At Va’Ani  (Israel) Teaching
L* Avi Avi  (Israel)
L* Bacvanka  (Bulgaria)
L* Bahar (Azerbaijan)
C* Bal de Jugon  (Brittany)
L  Balada Lama’ayan  (Israel)
I* Balkan Rumba (Romania)
M Bal in de Straat  (Belgium)

L  Banjsko (Macedonia)
L* Bannielou Lambaol  (France)
I  Banu Le Ha’ir Et Ha’ir  (Israel)
L  Bapardess  (Israel)
I Baraka (Israel)
L  Bavno Oro  (Macedonia)
I  Baztan Dantza  (Basque)
C* Beautiful Lady of Daban City (Taiwan)
C* Bekesi Paros  (Hungary)
L  Belasicko Oro  (Macedonia)
L  Bela Rada (Serbia)
L  Belev Echad  (Israel)

M  Belgian Mixer – ‘t Smidje (Europe)
L Believe  (Japan)

I  Bhangra Mitran Punjabiyan (India)
I  Bhangra Nach Leh (India) 
L* Bielolitza Kruglolitza  (Russia)
L  Biserka/Bojerka (Serbia)
S  Black Nag  (England)
S Blooms of Bon Accord  (Scotland)

C*  Blue Hills (Israel)
M* Boerenschots  (Netherlands)
L* Bogatym  (Poland)
C*  Bohemian National Polka (Bohemia)
M* Bonfire Dance  (Ireland)
M  Borrowdale Exchange  (Scotland)
L Branle Gai Alsacien (France)
M* Brasoveanca  (Transylvania)
S  Bratach Bana  (Scotland)
s* Breakdown  (Scotland)
L* Briul de la Fagaras  (Romania)
L* Bucimis  (Bulgaria)
L* Bufcansko Oro  (Macedonia)
L  Bugeacul ca pa Teleorman (Romania)
S  Byron Strathspey  (Scotland)
C* Caballito Blanco  (Mexico)
I  Café Alhambra  (Israel)
L* Capkan Dimco  (Macedonia)

C*  Carinosa (Philippines) Not the same version we do, but similar)
L* Carlama Kolo  (Serbia)
L  Ceresnicky (Czechoslovakia)
L* Cetvorno Sopsko Horo  (Bulgaria)
M* Cherevitsky  (Russia)
I* Chicken Dance (Switzerland)
C  Chilili   (Bolivia)
L* Choban Georgi  (Bulgaria)
I*  Ciganytanc  (Hungary)
L* Cimpoi  (Romania)
L* Circular  (Brazil)
L  Ciuleandra  (Romania)
L  Cobankat  (Albania)
C  Corrido  (Mexico)
C  Cotton-Eyed Joe  (USA)
C* Couple Hasapiko  (Greece)
C* Cowboy Cha Cha (USA)
C* Croatian Waltz  (Croatia)
S  Culla Bay  (Scotland)
I  Cumbia Selena  (Colombia)
I Cumbia Semana (Colombia)
L  Dado La Dado  (Romania)
I  Dana  (Romania)
M  Das Fenster  (Germany)
C* Dayagim  (Israel)
I De Boka Del Dyo (Bosnia)
L De Cantat (Romania)

L  De secerat (Romania)
L*  Debka Dor  (Israel)

L* Debka Kafrit (Israel)
L* Debka Oud (Israel)
L* Debka Shachar  (Israel)
L  Dedo Mili Dedo  (Macedonia)

L  Derech Eretz Ha Shahed (Israel)
S  D’hammerschmiedsg’selln  (Germany)
C* Dilam Bazan  (Israel)
L* Divaratikos (Greece)
L  Divcibarsko Kolo  (Serbia)
L  Dobrudzanska Pandela  (Bulgaria)
L  Dobrudzanska Reka (best demo but very fast) Also good demo (Bulgaria)
C  Dodi Li  (Israel)
S  Domino 5  (Scotland)
L* Dorozhka  (Cossack)
S  Double Sixsome  (Scotland)
M  Doublebska Polka (Czechoslovakia)
L  Dramskoto (Bulgaria)
C  Drapers Gardens  (England)
T* Dreisteyrer  (Austria)
C  Dublin Bay  (England)

S  Eastbourne Rover (England)
L  Ec Ec (Albania)
C*  Ecossaise Contra (Russia)
L* Eleno Mome  (Bulgaria)
L  Elerinka  (Bulgaria)
C  Elu Tziporim  (Israel)
L* Eretz Ha’tzabar  (Israel)
L  Erev Ba  (Israel)
L  Ersko Kolo (Serbia)
L  Eshebo  (Israel)

L  Fado (Portugal)
M*  Fjaskern  (Sweden)
L  Flor Amorosa  (Brazil)
M  Ga’aguim  (Israel)
C* Garmon  (Russia)
L  Garoon  (Armenia)
L*  Gavotte d’Honneur  (France)
C  Gay Gordons  (Scotland)
L  Gerakina (Greece)
C* Ges Woda  (Poland)
L* Glavnisko Cetvorno  (Bulgaria)
L* Go Pratile Dedo  (Macedonia)
L* Godecki Cacak  (Serbia)
M  Good Old Days  (USA) (turning at end of figure slightly different than our version)
S  Grand Square  (USA)
L  Guhnega  (Armenia)

L*  Gul Aliye (Turkey)
C* Gypsy Wine  (USA)

C  Hagna’ot Hakchulot ‘Blue Hills’ (Israel)
C* Hambo  (Sweden)

I*  Hameantezet (Israel)
L* Harishut  (Israel)
I  Haroah Haktana  (Israel) Teaching
L* Hasapiko  (Greece)
L* Hasaposerviko  (Greece)
I  Hashachar  (Israel)
L  Ha’shual (Israel) Teaching
C* Hava Nagila  (Israel)
I Hawaiian Love Song (Hawaii)
S*  Hebridean Weaving Lilt (Scotland)
L*  Hey Gidi Ercument (Turkey)
I*  Hineh Ma Tov  (Israel)
S Hole in the Wall (England)
L* Hora Agadati  (Israel)
L  Hora de la Munte  (Romania)
L  Hora din Campie  (Romania)
L* Hora Fetelor  (Romania)

L  Hora Mare Vranceneasca (Romania)
L  Hora Miresii  (Romania)
L* Hora Spoitorilor  (Romania)
L  Horehronsky Czardas  (Slovakia)
L* Hot Pretzels  (USA)

I  I Walk the Line (USA)
L  Idam Ne Idam (Macedonia/Bulgaria)
L Igra Sa Sa (Serbia)
L* Ikariotikos  (Greece)
L  Imate Li Vino  (Macedonia)
L* Ina Ina (Romania)
L  Ini Vitui  (Romania)

L  Irism (Israel)
L* Iste Hendek  (Turkey)
S* Italian Quadrille  (Italy)
L Itele  (Romania)
L  Ivanica  (Macedonia)
L  Jacob’s Ladder (Israel)
M* Jan Pierwiet  (Netherlands)
L  Japanese Soft Shoe  (USA)
L* Jiana (Romania)
L  Jiana lui Ana (Romania)
L  Jianul de la Slanic  (Romania)
L  Joc Batranesc din Niculitel (Romania)
L  Joc de Leagane  (Romania)
L  Joshua  (Israel)
L  Jove Male Mome  (Bulgaria)
C*  Kan Badarom  (Israel)
L Karagouna (Graziosi)  (Greece)
L  Karamfil  (Bulgaria)
L*  Kate Kate  (Bulgaria)
L* Katia  (Russia)
L  Kendime  (Turkey)
L  Keshenavo  (Israel)
L  Kirco  (good for dancing along) (Bulgaria) Kirco (better for learning steps)
L  Kirmizi Biber (Turkey)
L*  Kirya  (Israel)
C* Klincek  (Croatia)
L* Kol Haneshama  (Israel)
M* Komletro  (Norway)
L* Konyali  (Turkey)
M  Korobushka  (Russia)
L  Kortanc (Hungary)
L  Kostursko Oro (Macedonia)
L* Krici Krici Ticek (Croatia)

I  Kujawiak Niebieski (Poland)
S* Kuuden Kolmeinen (Finland)
S* Kvadrilja (Croatia)
L* Kvar Acherey Hatzot (Israel)
M  La Bastringue (Quebec)
C  La Faira da Strada (Switzerland)
L* Lach Hashir (Israel)
L* Lach Yerushalayim (Israel)  
L  Lakodalmi Tanc (Hungary)
C  Lambeth Walk (England)
C* Langdans (Netherlands)

L  Laz Bar (Armenia)
C Le Bal de Jugon (France)
L  Le Laridé (Brittany)
L* Le Maitre de Maison (France)
L  Lech Lamidbar (Israel)
L  Lesnoto (Macedonia)
S Let’s Have a Ceilidh (Scotland)
S  Levi Jackson Rag (England)
L*  Liliano Mome (Bulgaria)
C* Lipa Ma Maryca (Italy/Resia)
S* Little Man in a Fix (Denmark)
L  Lo Ahavti Dai (Israel)
L* Loosnee Shoghov (Armenia)
I  Louisiana Saturday Night (USA)
L* Louky (Czechoslovakia)
L  Lugovon’ka (Russia)
L  Lunica (Croatia)
L  Ma Na’Avu (Israel)
TM* Machar (Israel)
L  Made in Romania (Romania)
L  Mahala-Mori Shej (Roma/Hungary)
S  Mairi’s Wedding (Scotland)
L* Maitli Schottisch (Switzerland)
L  Makazice & Bela Rada (Serbia)
C  Malhao (Portugal)
L* Malishevska (Bulgaria)
L Manastir (Turkey)
C  Maple Leaf Rag (USA)
L* Maraca de Lele (Brazil)
L* Mari Kiz (Moldova)
L* Mari Mariiko (Bulgaria)
T  Mason’s Apron (USA)
C* Masquerade (Denmark)
L* Mayim (Israel)
C* Mazurka Valse (France)
L  Mechol Hashabat (Israel)

L  Melnik (Bulgaria)
C Metziut Acheret (Israel)
L* Milanova Kolo (Serbia)
C  Milondita Tango (USA)
L  Misirlou (Greece)
L* Mogilce Oro (Macedonia)
L* Moj Dragane (Croatia)
L* Moon Dance (Taiwan)
L*  Myatalo Lenche (Bulgaria)
C  Na’Ama (Israel)
L  Na’tane to 1821 (Greece)
L  Ne Felj Lanyom (Moldavia)

L Ne Klepeci (Bosnian)
L* Nebesko Kolo (Serbia)
L  Od Lo Ahavti Dai (Israel)
M* Oklahoma Mixer (USA)
I* Olahos (Hungary)
L* Opsa (Croatia)
L  Orijent (Serbia)
C* Oslo Waltz (England)
L  Oy Tsvetyot Kalina (Russia)
L* Pajdushko Horo (Bulgaria)
L  Papadhopanayiotena (Greece)
I  Pata Pata (South Africa)
M  Peasant Military Two-Step (Ireland)
C* Perach Ha’midbar (Israel)
S  Picking Up Sticks (England)
S* Pinewood Reel (Scotland)
L* Pinosavka (Serbia)
C* Pirinska Igra (Bulgaria)
M*  Pod Dilikanye (Russia)
I*  Pokeman Ondo (Japan)
C* Polka Mazurka (Poland)
C  Polonez Royale (Poland)
S  Postie’s Jig (Scotland)
I  Pot of Gold (Ireland)
L*  Pravo Rodopsko Horo (Bulgaria)
L* Prekid Kolo (Serbia)
L  Promoroaca (Romania)
L* Raca (Serbia)
C*  Rachamim (Israel)

L  Raina Samodiva (Bulgaria)
L  Rakefet (Israel)
L* Rapatma (Turkey)
M* Rasa Sayang (Malaysia)
L Ravno Oro (Macedonia) Yves Moreau
L* Razvivaj Dobro (Bulgaria)
S  Reel of the 51st Division  (Scotland)
M*  Reinlender Mixer (Norway)
C* Rifleman (England)
C  Road to the Isles (Scotland)
L  Rokoko (Croatia)
I  Roll Back the Rug (USA)
T* Ronenu (Israel)
C* Rorospols (Norway)
L  Rumelaj (Gypsy/Macedonia)
L  Rustemul (Romania)
C* St. Bernard’s Waltz (Scotland)
M* St. Gilgen Figurentanz (Austria)
S  St. John River (Scotland)
L* Salamati (Israel)
C  Salty Dog Rag (USA)
I* Sapri Tama (Israel)
L*  Sarajevka (Serbia)
S* Sauerlander Quadrille (Germany)
L* Savila se Bela Loza (Serbia)
C* Scandinavian Polka (Sweden)
C  Scottische d’Auvergne (France)

L*  Semmame (Turkey)
L*  Senin Canina (Turkey)
L* Sestorka (Serbia)
L  Setnja (Serbia)
L  Sev Acherov Aghcheek (Armenia)
L Sevda (Turkey)
L* Sham Hareh Golan (Israel)
L Shantel (as we do it, with arm swing) (Romania) Shantel (may be easier for dancing along)
L* Shatty Ya Deney (Lebanon)
L* Sheikhani (Assyria)

C*  Shiboleth Bassedeh (Israel)
L*  Shiboleth Bassadeh (Israel)
S  Shiftin’ Bobbins (Scotland)
L  Shir Mizmor (Israel)
L  Shiri Li Kineret(Israel)
L  Shoofni (Israel)
L*  Shoror (Armenia)
C*  Siamse Beirte (Ireland)
C  Sirto (Bulgaria)
L  Sitna Zborenka (Bulgaria)
C  Slaunch to Donegal (New England)

M  ‘t Smidje – Belgin Mixer (Europe)
L  Smilyana (Bulgaria)
M  Smygvals (Sweden)
L* Sobotki (Poland)
L  Somogyi Karikazo (Hungary)

I  Sonata (Albania )
C*  Sones de Ixtapa y Soyalo (Mexico)
S  Sorondongo del Mar (Canary Islands)
L* Stapil Dobri (Bulgaria)
C* Stinjacko Kolo (Austria)
L* Stoh Wa Polye (Russia)
L* Strumicka Petorka (Croatia)
C* Sukacko Kolo (Croatia)
L*  Sulam Ya’Akov (Israel)
L  Svekrvino (Macedonia)
L Svetinja (Serbia)
M  Swedish Finn Mixer (Sweden)
L  Sweet Girl (Armenia)
S* Sweets of May (Ireland)
I* Syp Simeon (Netherlands)
L  Syrtos (Greece)

M  ‘t Smidje Belgian Mixer (Europe)
M  Tango Poquito (USA)
M  Tant’ Hessie (South Africa)
L*  Tarbouka (Israel)
L* Tarina de la Abrud (Romania)
I* Te Aven Baxtale (Romania/Gypsy)
l* Teen (Armenia)
L* Tervelska Raka (Bulgaria)
M  Tex Mex Mixer (USA) (Different music but same steps we do)
L  Tfilah (Israel)
L  Tfilati (Israel)
S  Thirteen Fourteen (Scotland)
L  Tino Mori (Macedonia)
C* To Ting (Denmark)
M* Totur (Denmark)
L  Tokyo Dontaku (Japan)
I  Tokyo Polka (USA)
L*  Trata (Greece)
T* Tridans fra Meraker (Norway)
S  Trip to Bavaria (Scotland)
TM Troika (Russia)
T*  Trojak (Poland)
L  Tropanka (Bulgaria)
L Trugnala Rumjana (Bulgaria)

S  Turning by Threes (England)
L  Tzadik Katamar (Israel)
I* Unagappa Ondo (Japan)
L  Valle e Permetit (Albania)
C* Varsovienne (Scandinavia)
M  Ve David (Israel)
S  Virginia Reel (USA)
L Vlasko (Bulgaria)
C* Vo Sadu (Russia)
L* Vranjanka (Serbia)
L* Vranjanka 2 (Serbia)
L  Vrapcheto (Bulgaria)
C  Vrtielka (Slovakia)
T  Walpole Cottage (England)
C  Wandering Waltz (England)
C* Wattentaler Masolka (Austria)
S*  Willow Tree (England)
S* Windmueller  (Germany)
L  Ya Da Kalinushku Lomala (Russia)
l* Ying Bin Wu (Taiwan)
I  Yolanda  (USA)
L* Yovano Yovanke (Macedonia)
L* Zalna Majka (Macedonia)
L  Zemer Atik (Israel)
L  Zhan Zai Gao Gang Shang (Taiwan)
C* Zillertaler Laendler (Austria)
I  Zorba (Greece)