STARO PLANINSKO Serbian
PRONUNCIATION:	STAH-roh PLAH-neen-skoh
TRANSLATION:	Old mountain dance
SOURCE:	Dr. Anthony (Tony) Shay of the AMAN Folk Ensemble (aka, AMAN International Music and Dance Company) of Los Angeles, California, taught this dance at the Twentieth Annual San Francisco Kolo Festival in 1971.
BACKGROUND:	The Stara Planina is a range of mountains that runs southeast south of Zaječar along the border with Bulgaria.
MUSIC:	Festival Records (45rpm) FR-4102
FORMATION:	Open cir of mixed M and W with joined hands held down in "V" pos.
METER/RHYTHM:	2/4
STEPS/STYLE:	The dance is done with small steps. Hops are low, with the ball of the foot remaining on the floor.
MEAS	MOVEMENT DESCRIPTION
1-4	INTRODUCTION - 4 meas.
I.	FIGURE ONE
1	Facing ctr with wt on L, touch R slightly swd R (ct 1); touch R next to and slightly fwd of L (ct 2);
2-3	Repeat action of meas 1 two more times;
4	With wt on balls of ft, pivot heels to R (ct 1); pivot heels to L (ct 2);
5	Step R twd ctr (ct 1); pause (ct 2);
6	Step L twd ctr (ct 1); hold ct 2);
7	Stamp R lightly (ct 1); pause (ct 2);
8	Stamp R lightly (ct 1); pause (ct 2);
9	Low hop L (ct 1); low hop L (ct 2); step bwd R (ct &);
10	Step bwd L (ct 1); step bwd R (ct 2);
11-12	Repeat action of meas 9-10 bwd with opp fwk.
II.	FIGURE TWO
1	Quick, slight bend of L knee (ct 1); strike R heel lightly in place, straightening knees (ct &); repeat action of cts 1& (cts 2&);
2-3	Repeat action of meas 1 two more times;
4	With wt on balls of ft, pivot heels to R (ct 1); pivot heels to L (ct 2);
5	Step R twd ctr (ct 1); step L to R side of R (ct &); step fwd R (ct 2); pause (ct &);
6	Repeat action of meas 5 fwd with opp ftwk;
7	Repeat action of meas 5, stepping fwd L on final ct &
8	Stamp R lightly (ct 1); stamp R lightly (ct 2);
9-12	Repeat action of meas 9-12 of Fig I.
III.	FIGURE THREE
1-12	Turning to face to the L in RLOD, repeat action of Fig II.
	It is suggested that each figure be danced twice.
Copyright © 2004 by Dick Oakes