TROIKA DANCE

Troika (dance)

Troika is a Russian folk dance, where a man dances with two women. The Russian word troika means three-horse team/gear. In the Russian dance the dancers imitate the prancing of horses pulling a sled or a carriage.
This dance is included into repertoires of virtually all Russian ethnographic dance ensembles.
Similar folk dances are known among other Slavic peoples, e.g., the Polish Trojak.
A Cajun dance of the same name, Troika, exists, and is very similar to the Russian dance. It is hypothesized that the Cajun version of the dance originated at the times when Cossacks of the Russian tsar army were stationed in Paris.

Russian Folk Dance Troika

The Russian folk dance 'Troika' is a historically important Russian dance. While the Russian dance world may be best known for the famous ballet dancers and famous choreographers that were born and began their careers in Russia, the Russian dances themselves have also contributed a great deal to the dance world. The Troika is just one of several Russian cultural dances that have shaped dance in Russia, and subsequently all over the world when some of Russia's greatest dancers left Russia to dance elsewhere.

Russian Folk Dance 'Troika'

Several Russian folk dances exist, but the Troika is well known for being a 'trio' dance. Traditionally, two women and one man performed the dance together; however, it is more and more common to just see trios of people performing the dance, most often three women. Alternatively, you will see groups of people performing the dance with several groups of three performing at once. In some of these trios there are three girls, and in others, one boy and two girls. The bottom line is that the one man and two women aspect of the dance has faded into the history of the dance.
Aside from this characteristic pairing of dancers, the other features of the Troika are the rhythms and the horse-like steps. Troika dances alternate from a faster to a slower rhythm, and go back again, keeping the routine interesting for the audience and providing variety for the dancers.
The word 'troika' means 'three horses' in Russian, which makes clear both the trio of dancers and the copying of horse-like movements in the dancers' steps. Imagine a horse pawing at the ground, jumping from one foot to another, and moving very quickly from one spot to another. These are some of the attributes that make people think of horses when they see the Troika danced. If you're having trouble imagining what a 'horse dance' might look like, check out the third video below, the 'Russian' number from The Nutcracker.

How to Peform the Russian Folk Dance Troika

Troika is the Russian word for "third," or "threesome." Its most common meaning was actually in reference to a commission of three judges used in Stalinist Russia. A traditional Russian folk dance however is also named Troika, after the graceful prancing of three horses as they pull along a sleigh. This Russian folk dance is a staple of Russian dancing culture.

Instructions

1.     First Section (Sixteen Counts)

1.      Break into groups of three. All of the dancers form a circle, with the groups of three positioned as if they were spokes in a wheel. Groups face counterclockwise, and join hands.

2.      While holding hands, run forward for four steps on a right diagonal (right, left, right, left).

3.      Run four steps forward on a left diagonal (right, left, right, left).

4.      Run forward for eight counts. That completes the first section, for a total of sixteen counts.

2.     Second Section (Sixteen Counts)

1.       This section lasts for eight counts. Continue to hold hands. For each group, the dancers in the center and on the left form an arch with their arms. The person on the right runs in front of the center person and under the arch, then behind the center person and back to their original spot. The person in the center turns in place, to the left, under the arch. Everyone now faces forward.

2.       This sequence takes eight counts, as well. The dancer on the left repeats the previous step, running through the arch formed by the dancer in the center and on the right.

3.      The center dancer turns to the right, following the person from the left under the arch.

 

3.     Third Section (Thirty-Two Counts)

1.      Groups of three join hands, again, to reform their circle. Run twelve steps clockwise to  the left, beginning with the left foot. After twelve steps, the dancers stamp their feet three times (left, right, left). Pause for one count.

2.      Repeat, this time running counterclockwise for twelve, starting with the right foot. Stamp three times (right, left, right). Pause for one count.

3.       All groups of three return to the original circle (the spokes-in-a-wheel formation). The center dancer moves to the group in front of them, and the dance starts all over again.

Reference:

http://www.ehow.com/how_2172651_peform-russian-folk-dance-troika.html