Šopka (Shopka)

Cherie discovered the women’s dance Šopka via Dunav videos on YouTube. The comments from those videos and a very short blurb on Wikipedia are all I can find on the dance. The dance is similar to other Šop dances such as Kyustendilska râčenica.

Dunav video comments

• Šopka (also Šopkata or Troika) is a traditional dance from a part of the Šopluk region in the Republic of Macedonia.
• The Macedonian folk dance teacher Saško Anastasov from Veles leads the oro.
• Background music: at the clarinet, Blagoj Lamnjov.
• More Folklore please look at: www.dunav.org.il

Wikipedia

Šopka (Шопка) is a Macedonian oro from the region of Kratovo. It is a vivid women’s dance with quick and small steps and small jumps. The dancers are holding belts and begin their dance in the position of a half circle. The dance rhythm is 2/4.

Wikipedia: Šopka

My own dance notes from the videos, ©2023 David Poulson

Styling: Šop-style, small, light steps on the ball of the foot, light bouncing

Bar 1: Facing LOD, hop on L, lift R knee in front about 45° (Q) Run R (Q) L (S) in LOD
Bar 2: Repeat Bar 1
Bar 3: Run R (Q) L (Q) R (S)
Bar 4: Repeat Bar 1 w/ opposite footwork
Bar 5: Turning to face center, step R in place (S) kick L forward (S)
Bar 6: While turning RLOD, hop on R, (L knee still raised) (Q) Run L (Q) R (S) in RLOD
Bar 7: Repeat Bar 6 with lifting of L knee while hopping on R at beginning
Bar 8: Turning to face center, step on L (S) hop on L (S)
Bar 9: Step slightly back on R (S) Hop on R (S)
Bar 10: Step slightly back on L (S) Hop on L (S)

Variation 1 (Dunav):
Bar 6: Continuing to face center, hop on R (Q) step L beside R (Q) cross R in front of L (S)
Bar 7: hop on R (Q) step L beside R (Q) step R behind L (S)

Variation 2 (Dunav)
Bar 9: Step on R behind L (S) Hop on R (S)
Bar 10: Step on L behind R (S) Hop on L (S)

Variation 3 (Both)
Bar 10: Land with weight on both feet, slightly apart (S) Hop on L, bring R sharply up behind L calf * or just lift R knee in front as usual (S)