Dancing the hora: advice needed, please!!!

[bbernardini]

Okay, picture it...2nd graders dancing the hora to Hava Nagila. My question...is there a specific point (in the music, or in the counting of phrases) at which the people walk in towards the middle of the circle and back out again, or is there some kind of designated leader that controls such a thing? I've seen it done a million times, but never noticed how that works before. Help!

[SteppingRazor]

1. There is neither a point in the music nor a leader.

Took me a couple times to get it down myself. Basically, somebody just starts moving in, and then everybody follows. Somebody reverses direction, everybody follows. It tends to happen when the music picks up speed or changes melody, but that's more the natural reaction of the people than any specific timing dictated by the song.

For 2nd graders, though, I'd suggest having a leader. It could get a bit chaotic ... well, it's the hora. It's always chaotic, but it could degenerate into a dogpile is what I'm saying. :)

[curse of greyface]

2. I didn't think they danced. Yhey seem to just lay there and lay eggs.

But then again I'm a doctor not a dance critic.

[seemunkee]

3. Are you kidding? Try to get a room full of Jews to agree on anything

But seriously ladies and germs, I've never known of any specific timing. Someone starts the rest follow.
I would just make sure you have a short version of it. At all the Bat/Bar Mitzvahs and weddings I've been to it goes on FOREVER.

[Patiod]

5. About the only thing I liked about 7th and 8th grade

was going to Bat Mitvahs and dancing the Hora.

True Story: My aunt's parrot used to be owned by a Jewish friend of hers. One of his best tricks (other than yelling "HELP! HELP!!!" when someone came to the door) was to dance on his perch and sang "Hava, Na.....Hava, Na...." He never learned the whole thing!

[siligut]

4. How incredibly fun!

The Hora is hilariously enjoyable as it is, but with a bunch of 2nd graders! Whoopee!

Plus, I agree with the above, it just happens!