Is there any distinctively Greek style of partner dancing?

[HothouseSalsero]

I would love to learn how to partner dance to Greek music, but I am beginning to get the impression that there simply is no Greek style of partner dancing. Does anyone know anything on this subject? Yes, of course, I know the line dancing exists, but partner dancing?

[Spitfire]

Salsero,

Don't know if this is what you're looking for, but this site gives instruction in various Greek dances that mention the use of a partner.

http://www.btinternet.com/~argyros.argyrou/dances/Dances.htm

[Swing Kitten]

the greek dances I recall off the top of my head are circular in format and done in groups. cultural?

[Pirate Smith]

Sorry ... this response seems a bit late....but I was currently going to ask this forum... if anyone else does Greek dancing... hey, it was my first and only lessons in dancing til I started ballroom... we all have to start somewhere..... but, in answer to this posting... the answer is a YES... the couples usually dance beginning in "shadow position"... but can also dance face to face... it is most commonly done to the Syrtos and the Kalimatinos..... and very common as a Wedding dance ... done by the bride and groom.. when done correctly... it is amazing... and beautiful to watch..... now on to my post... of "anyone knows of a list of Greek Folk Dance music... or music they would recommend..... Yassou... Pirate Smith

[2totango]

In my experience, the only partnered Greek dancing is a free-form style, rather sexually charged dance. The Syrtos and Kalimatinos are not partnered dances, at least here in the U.S. They are group, circle dances, at least at all the Greek weddings I've been to, the last being my sister's in November.

Of course, in Greece it may be different, but none of my relatives, when here, ever expressed that there was another way to dance back "home".

[samina]

The Tsiftitelli is a belly-dance commonly done in same-sex pairs at Greek socials, and is definitely not just for women.

Here's one with a man dancing it (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FyOBD1qcGo).

Here's a common site with women (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifPX3WeEvLQ)...heh

The Zembekiko is a 5/4 free-style dance also commonly done in same-sex pairs or groups. Alternatively, a man and woman will dance it and one will often crouch to the ground and clap & cheer the other on while he or she "showcases".

Here's a guy dancing it -- classic (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_qYnHBZZec). He had too much retsina, tho. LOL

I have never seen body contact in Greek dancing, unless it's in a line dance, or same-sex. The Tstifitelli & Zembekiko are potentially suggestive enough... :)

FWIW, this is also the only dancing I knew before ballroom. I grew up social dancing it, performing, and competing, although my knowledge level now is pretty rusty. Fun stuff tho. And there are some wonderful Greek line dances beyond the two most people learn.

[Pirate Smith]

I should have been more exact in my explaination of "partnering" .... the lead couple pairs off ....into shadow position or in promenade..... and the line contiues around them.... it is not in any form a "closed dance" position that the Ballroom dancers do... sorry for my information.... again when it is led and done correctly... it is very effective... and a crowd pleaser... I have a number of DVDs that show the leads and the positioning... I am not sure if any of the "online" video sites show this form of Greek dancing.... and I do not currently know how to get these steps off of the DVD, into the computer and posted onto the net... I will try... gives the dancers 100% more to do and screams from the crowd.... needless to say... I have in the past taught Greek dancing... extra money... is extra money... LOLOLOLOL.... Pirate Smith....

[samina]

i don't think i've ever seen that style. or if i did, i figured it was just a choreographed part of a routine... anyway, i was actually responding to the OP. :)

[noobster]

I've seen a group of people doing a Zonaradiko who all suddenly split into couples and started doing a little partnered segment (looked a bit like American square dancing, funnily enough) before getting back into a line. They were all current or former members of a pro dance troupe though, so they knew a lot of random dances that aren't common among the plebes.

The 'club dances' (tsifteteli and zeimbekiko) can now pretty much be done by singles, couples, or small groups of any combo of genders. (Although my older relatives get super grumpy at women dancing zeimbekiko, heh.)

[Pirate Smith]

While surfing the net.... yeah, right... I don't know how I found this Youtube video...but it does show a dance group that splits into couples and back again....Heck... I don't know if this is how you copy and paste a Youtube link... oh well..... I hope it works and we all get a laugh out of this ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ai0V2pBuVWg&feature=related

If anyone is interrested... I have done a "footprints" of how the dancers alter the basic steps ... to get into the side by side position..... It is a very fun variation.... and oh well...... back to the Ballroom....but this has been a wonderful... diversion..Thank you all for understanding.... Pirate Smith