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Religion
Worship Dances

Hopscotch Hora

This dance is known as the "Hopscotch Hora" because of its hopscotch steps. In 1971 Danny Heinman choreographed the "Hora Or", of which this dance appears to be a longer and altered adaptation.

The four parts of this dance are given nicknames which the dance leader can call out as a new melodic section begins. (Few songs progress through four distinct melodic sections.)

Part A and Part B are danced holding hands. Part C and Part D are danced not holding hands.

Each numbered step takes four beats of music.

Part A ("Hopscotch!")

  1. (facing RLOD) Walk four steps R-L-R-L
  2. (facing RLOD) Do two hopscotch steps: hop onto both feet, hop onto L foot (raise right foot behind you), hop onto both feet, hop onto L foot (raise right foot behind you)
  3. (facing RLOD) Walk four steps R-L-R-L
  4. (facing RLOD) Do two hopscotch steps: hop onto both feet, hop onto L foot (raise right foot behind you), hop onto both feet, hop onto L foot (raise right foot behind you)

Part B ("Reversing!")

  1. (facing RLOD) Take three steps R-L-R, then hop on R foot to face LLOD
  2. (facing LLOD) Take three steps L-R-L, then hop on L foot to face RLOD
  3. Take a step RLOD with your R foot, then hop on R foot to face LLOD. Then take a step LLOD with your L foot, then hop on L foot to face RLOD.
  4. (facing RLOD) Walk four steps R-L-R-L

Part C ("Hop Spin!")

  1. (facing inward) {hold hands until the clap} Take three steps forward R-L-R, then hop on R foot with a clap
  2. (facing inward) Take three steps backward L-R-L, then hop on L foot with a clap
  3. Step in place onto R foot, then hop on R foot to face outward, with a clap. Then step in place with your L foot, then hop on L foot to face inward, with a clap.
  4. (facing RLOD) {holding hands} Walk four steps R-L-R-L

Part D ("Side Leaps!")

  1. (facing RLOD){clapping on each step} Walk four steps R-L-R-L
  2. (facing inward) Do two leaping sidesteps: jump R onto R foot while hands move away from body, cross L foot in front of R foot while hands cross in front of body and fingers snap, then repeat these
  3. (facing RLOD){clapping on each step} Walk four steps R-L-R-L
  4. (facing inward) Do two leaping sidesteps: jump R onto R foot while hands move away from body, cross L foot in front of R foot while hands cross in front of body and fingers snap, then repeat these

A common variation replaces the final four counts of Part B and Part C with a four count turn.