Zorba

Zorba

Dance in a line or circle, with one person leading the direction and steps.

  • 10+ years
  • Group size: 2+
  • Duration: 20 min
  • Dance
  • Mountains, forests and fields
  • Indoor
  • Gym / Sports hall
  • Open space
  • Music

In this dance, participants stand either in a line, a semicircle, or a circle (either all together, or divided into groups of 6–7 people).

Hands are placed on the nearest shoulder of the person next to them. The person in front leads the dance and decides when the group should change direction or move on to new steps (marked with a heel stomp).

Part 1 – Basic Steps

Starting position: Stand with feet together. Toes point slightly outwards, heels close to each other.

  • Right foot: heel strikes the floor, foot is moved in an arc to the right.
  • Right leg is placed down about half a meter from the left.
  • Left foot: cross-step in front of the right, with a deep knee bend.
  • Straighten up again.
  • Left leg is brought back to the starting position, right leg next to it.

This constitutes eight beats (1–8). The steps are repeated – the group follows the leader.

Part 2 – Sideways Towards the Sun

Movement sideways 'towards the sun' (clockwise):

  • Right foot to the side
  • Left cross back
  • Right foot to the side
  • Left cross front
  • Right foot to the side
  • Left cross back
  • Right foot to the side
  • Left cross front
  • ... and so it continues.

The steps are repeated – the group follows the leader.

The sideways steps conclude with a heel stomp.

One can also perform the steps the other way (against the sun/counter-clockwise):

  • Left foot to the side
  • Right cross back
  • Left foot to the side
  • Right cross back, etc.

The leader alternates between Part 1 and Part 2, marking the change with a heel stomp.

Variation

Simple Zorba (Tourist Zorba)

Part 1: Stand with feet together.

  • Place right foot to the side
  • Left foot cross-step in front of right
  • Right foot to the side
  • Left foot swings over right while taking a small hop on the right foot (1–4)

Then:

  • Left foot to the left side
  • Right cross-step in front
  • Left to the side (1–4)

The same is repeated to the right side.

Part 2: is similar to the side steps in the dance above:

  • side–back–side–front (same pattern as in Part 2 with sideways steps).