While it was released in 1964, we still don’t want to ruin the plot ending of the iconic British-Greek comedy Zorba the Greek for you. All you need to know is at the very end of the film the two main characters – Basil and Zorba – find out they will be parting ways and Basil asks Zorba to teach him to dance.

What follows is an iconic moment in film history as Zorba teaches him the Sirtaki, a dance choreographed specifically for the film.

The music to “Zorba’s Dance” was also made just for the film. However, some Greeks now feel as though it’s a part of their recent culture ad the song is commonly played in Greek tavernas as people lightheartedly replicate the dance.

But it’s not just a bar dance – in fact, children learn and perform it at dance recitals as well. One children’s version of the Sirtaki was posted to YouTube in 2009 has even received over 3.5 million views over the last decade. That’s because you just can’t help but feel good when you watch it!

But it wasn’t filmed in Greece, it was an entry into the Sirtaki Dance category at Dancefest 2004 in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada! It’s truly international in its appeal.

The performance starts out with six girls, who look roughly middle school-aged. After warming up, they clap their hands and get ready to get down.

Soon, they’re joined by the rest of their squad – this is a dance best performed with a group of other revelers, after all!

But someone has to be “Zorba” – and one girl whips out a white handkerchief as the tempo speeds up and incorporates more hops and leaps.

A circle and a line formation are the most common ways to perform the dance and the girls use both (since there are so many of them).

Their dance incorporates some more fancy footwork than Zorba himself could do dancing in the sand, and it shows off just how talented these young ladies are.

And then, of course, you have the traditional “OPA” shouted with a hand in the air. While this is sometimes a moment for smashing a plate to the ground if performed on rowdier occasions (or even weddings), there’s no glass breaking on the stage…yet.

Of course, if you watch it and think you see elements of tap, clog, or even Irish dancing in the mix, you’re probably right. Many commenters have pointed out that the dance has been embellished from the original – and that’s ok. In fact, the rumor is that Zorba the Greek star Anthony Quinn injured his leg prior to filming the last scene and the choreography had to be adjusted so he didn’t have to put so much weight on his foot – so it was always intended to be a more elaborate dance. And many other countries have put their own spin on the classic over the last five decades as well.

There are plenty of traditional elements to this performance of the dance. Even native Greek commenters on YouTube were quick to point out that such a great performance made them proud.

At the end of the performance, in an ode to Greek celebrations, two of the dancers do, indeed, bring out plates to smash, yelling “OPA!” to end the performance.

It’s a great show and well worth a watch as over 3 million people have already done.

Be sure to scroll down to see the video.

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Source: Dragan Kudjerski via YouTube