Saaristolais polska aka Saaristopolska

Country: Finland
Type: set dance
Formation: any number of couples in closed circle
Steps:

3/4-time reel steps
backward kick step, or 'stumbling' step
pas de bas (hyppyvappuaskele),
polska (seuraavanlaisella askleella: over 2 bars, M dances 3 running steps L R L (1:1-3) with emphasis on (1:1), hop on L with step-swing forward (2:1), step on R (2:2), hop on R with step-swing backward (2:3); W opposite footwork),
stomp,
two-step (vaihtoaskelikko)

Music: (sheet music), (mp3) Saaristopolska

Dance progression

upbeat All W turn to face out, reform closed circle.

|:1-4:| 1 (a) All dance polska, circle moving CW. 4 polska steps.

5-8 (b) M stand still facing into centre, arms crossed on chest, while W dances CW around M, holding skirts, finishing facing partner, 4 two-steps.

5-8 All take R in R-hand hold (forearms vertical, elbows together, hands clasped) with partner, and turn CW on the spot. 4 two-steps.
Finish in open circle, W in centre facing out, M in outside circle facing partner.

1-4 2 (a) W dance 3 pas de bas (1-3), beginning stepping onto R foot. On bar (4) M lifts W CCW to outside circle, while stepping into inside circle.

1-4 W stand still, while M dance 3 3/4-time reel steps (1-3), fists on hips, beginning hopping on L foot. On bar 4, M stamp on (4:1 and 4:2).

|:5-8:| (b) Couples take courtesy hold, face LOD and dance 3 two-steps (5-7). All dance 3 backward kicks while 'stumbling' forward (8). Repeat (5-8), but moving into open circle facing into centre with two-step on bar (8).

1-4 3 (a) All dance 3 3/4-time reel steps (1-3), followed by 2 stamps on (4:1 and 4:2).

1-4 All take closed circle hold, and dance CW, 4 two-steps (1-4). At end of bar (4) all drop hold and partners turn to face.

|:5-8:| (b) All dance R-hand chain to 3rd person (5-7), turn 1/2 turn CW with R-hand thumb hold (8), and chain back to meet partner (5-7), 7 two-steps. Take R-in R-hand hold with partner and turn W CW under joined arms on bar (8).

See videos on Tanssinriemu, YouTube

Provenance: As taught by Martti Vanhapelto, in Vancouver, 1987-02-07.
Notes from Anita Nutikka 2007-09-18
Printed sources:

Kari, Kaarina Piiri- ja laululeikkejä Provoo, Helsinki: Werner Söderström Osakeyhtiö, 1952. pp. 157-158.
Saaristopolska.pdf

Description: Laine Ruus, Oakville, 1987-02-07, rev. 2020-03-04

Tillbaka till innehållsförteckningen/Back to table of contents

		Dance progression
upbeat		All W turn to face out, reform closed circle.
\|:1-4:\|	1 (a)	All dance polska, circle moving CW. 4 polska steps.
5-8	(b)	M stand still facing into centre, arms crossed on chest, while W dances CW around M, holding skirts, finishing facing partner, 4 two-steps.
5-8		All take R in R-hand hold (forearms vertical, elbows together, hands clasped) with partner, and turn CW on the spot. 4 two-steps. Finish in open circle, W in centre facing out, M in outside circle facing partner.
1-4	2 (a)	W dance 3 pas de bas (1-3), beginning stepping onto R foot. On bar (4) M lifts W CCW to outside circle, while stepping into inside circle.
1-4		W stand still, while M dance 3 3/4-time reel steps (1-3), fists on hips, beginning hopping on L foot. On bar 4, M stamp on (4:1 and 4:2).
\|:5-8:\|	(b)	Couples take courtesy hold, face LOD and dance 3 two-steps (5-7). All dance 3 backward kicks while 'stumbling' forward (8). Repeat (5-8), but moving into open circle facing into centre with two-step on bar (8).
1-4	3 (a)	All dance 3 3/4-time reel steps (1-3), followed by 2 stamps on (4:1 and 4:2).
1-4		All take closed circle hold, and dance CW, 4 two-steps (1-4). At end of bar (4) all drop hold and partners turn to face.
\|:5-8:\|	(b)	All dance R-hand chain to 3rd person (5-7), turn 1/2 turn CW with R-hand thumb hold (8), and chain back to meet partner (5-7), 7 two-steps. Take R-in R-hand hold with partner and turn W CW under joined arms on bar (8).