La Petite Ukrainienne

Foreign Folk Dance:

La Petite Ukrainienne

(Ukrainian Dance)

Literature: The Ukraine, sometimes called “Little Russia” is situated in the southern part of Russia. The peasant population is very fond of dancing and this little dance gives a simplified version of the way they do it when friars or festivals draw them together in merry making.  This is a solo or group dance for girls only.

Time Signature: 2

                            4

Counting: one, two, to a measure.

Dance Terms and steps used: Brush

         Shuffling

         Pivot turn

         Chasse

Costume: Girl—Blouse of heavy white linen, a skirt of very small flowered cretonne or chintz and apron hand painted stenciled with red roses, green leaves and a little touch of black in stems or outline to give accent to the design. Besides going across the lower edge of the apron, the same design is carried across the top portion of the blouse sleeves and down in front. The apron should reach nearly to the edge of the skirt’s edge. An under petticoat of white, edged with coarse Russian lace, will show only in the movement of the dance. A high note of gay color is provided by a red sash tied in a butterfly bow behind, red pumps to match being worn with white stockings. Around the head and tied at the back with ribbons of red, green and yellow, a wreath of bright red poppies is worn.

Execution: