Anshey Hageshem (Rain People)   Dance by Israel Shiker

     Notes by Phillip M. Feldman   29 April, 1987  Revised 8 Dec., 2014

This is a four-part circle dance of moderate tempo.  On scale of 1-5, the
level of difficulty is at most 4.  The music has a 16-count introduction
("rain drops").

        Part 1: Hands are not joined.  Face center.

   1-2: Step to right with R and pause.
   3-4: Cross L in front of R and rock back onto R.  Note: This two-count
        figure (cross and rock back) occurs frequently throughout the dance.
        The styling that accompanies it is as follows: Bend both knees
        slightly and bow your head.  At the same time curve both arms and
        raise them with a circular motion, bringing them (low) over the head
        with the wrists crossed (forming an "umbrella").  Lower arms while
        rocking back onto R.
   5-8: Step to left with L and make a three-step turn to the right (CW)
        with R-L-R.

  ***   Phillip's suggested modification of the dance:  ***
   5-6: Step to left with L, swaying to left, and sway to the right.
   7-8: Make a two-step turn to the left (CCW) with L-R.
        This change livens up a dull phrase in an otherwise exciting dance,
        and is also consistent with the transition between parts 4 and 1.
  ***   End of modification.  ***

  9-16: Mirror image of 1-8 (step to left with L and pause ...).

        Part 2: Facing center.  Hands are joined during counts 1-7.

   1-4: Walk three steps into the center with R-L-R and lift L slightly.
   5-7: Walk three steps backward with L-R-L and drop hands.
  8-10: Step right with R (swaying to right), sway to left, and pause.
 11-12: Cross R in front of L and rock back onto L (forming umbrella).
 13-14: Two in-place steps with R-L (swaying slightly), during which dancers
        turns 90 degrees to the right (to face CCW around the circle) and
        join hands.  Note: There are no counts 15-16.

        Part 3: Facing CCW around circle with hands joined during first 8
        counts.

   1-4: Walk three steps forward with R-L-R and brush L.
   5-8: Walk three steps forward with L-R-L and touch right toe next to L,
        pointing right knee to left.
  9-10: Drop hands and make a two-step 3/4 turn to the right with R-L,
        ending facing center.
 11-12: Step to the right with R (swaying to right) and sway to left.
 13-14: Cross R in front of L (raising arms) and rock back onto L.
 15-16: Same as counts 13-14 of part 2.
 17-30: Repeat 1-14 (counts 15-16 do not repeat).

        Part 4: Begin facing into circle; hands are not joined.

   1-2: Step backward on R and rock forward onto L.
   3-4: Take a big step forward with R, pivoting 180 degrees to the right to
        face out of the circle, and step backward onto L.
   5-6: Repeat 1-2.
   7-8: Take a large step forward with R, pivoting 180 degrees to the right
        to face into the circle and swinging the left leg in a half-circular
        arc, and pause.
  9-10: Take two steps forward with L and R.
 11-12: Step forward with L, pivoting 180 degrees to the left to face out of
        the circle, and pause.
 13-14: Step to right with R (swaying to the right) and sway left.
 15-16: Cross R in front of L and rock back onto L.
 17-32: Repeat 1-16 (beginning facing out and ending facing in).

        Transition: Face center and join hands for counts 1-6.

   1-2: Step in place on R and lift L slightly.
   3-4: Step in place on L and lift R slightly.
   5-6: Step to right with R (swaying to right) and sway to left.
   7-8: Drop hands and make a two-step turn to the right with R-L.

The whole dance repeats three times.  End by repeating counts 1-3 of part 1,
holding the position of count 3 (knees bent, head bowed forward) for one
extra count.