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Folk Dance Federation of California, South, Inc.
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The Varsovienne has been a favorite of dancers in many countries for several centuries. It is only in comparatively recent times that dances have been recorded in written form, or a study made of their original sources. It is quite natural therefore, that a dance like the Varsovienne, which has traveled widely from country to country, would call forth many interesting and diverse explanations of its early history.
The extremes of these views place its origin in South America and in Italy, where it was said to have been originated by an Italian who called it La Versuvianna in honor of Mount Vesuvius. The most logical and convincing evidence shows its origin to be in Poland. It has frequently been referred to by folklorists as the Dance of Warsaw. One story relates that it was a minuet in mazurka rhythm, composed for a reigning beauty of Warsaw, and later traveled to Spain where it became a couple dance.
In the beginning of the eighteenth century, Polish dances were the fashion in the upper classes of society. They traveled usually to France, Spain, Sweden and the British Isles, where they acquired the characteristics of each country which adopted them. Along with the change in form occurred the change in the name and spelling of the dance. The French spelling frequently prevailed. This was true of the Varsovienne.
Before overland routes were established between the eastern and western coasts of the United States, this dance was enjoyed in both sections. Like other European dances, it no doubt traveled to the West from Spain to South America, to Mexico, and then north to New Mexico, California and to Arizona. In California, those who traveled in ships might have also influenced some of the early forms found along the California coast line. In the Southwest, particularly in New Mexico and California, the dance was spelled La Varsoviana, La Varsovianna and La Varsouvianna. In Texas, where the words of the song,"Put your little foot" or "See my new shoes" were associated with the dance, these phrases were frequently substituted for the name of the dance.
The Varsovienne has always been a social, or ballroom dance, and it is not a folk dance in the traditional use of the term. It came to the United States about the middle of the nineteenth century, So many variants have developed in different sections of the country. They can be classified according to position and step pattern under three general headings:
- Danced in closed dance position, with the woman on the left or right side of her partner. Found in the older forms.
- The number of times the long and short phrases are repeated varies. Dance progression is Line of Direction (LOD), with no complicated patterns. Partners are not exchanged.
- Danced with or without the waltz step.
- Dignified, smooth quality of movement with medium to slow tempo.
- Danced in what has been called "Varsovienne position."
- Same as 1a.
- Same as 1b.
- Same as 1c.
- Newer inventions with a variety of starting positions, but usually employing the "Varsovienne position."
- The number of long and short phrases varies, with a fairly complicated pattern, frequently using half turns, whole turns, and spins. Partners may be exchanged during the dance pattern, or at the conclusion of a completed pattern.
- Danced with or without the waltz step.
- Wider range of tempo. A cowboy variation of New Mexico is quite fast and stamping is the rule.
A number of versions are danced by American folk dance groups. The Varsovienne position is taken and the music used dictates the number of times the long and short phrases are repeated, and whether or not the waltz is a part of the dance.
From "Let's Dance," 1953