Morris dancing?

[LittleJack]

As we approach May Day, morris dancing is foremost in my mind. Any other morris dancers want to get a set or two up on the playa? I'll have my mando, and can play most of the common morris tunes (Fieldtown, Bleddington, Sherbourne, Border, etc.) Someone else would have to bring sticks - I just don't have room in my car.

[tatonka]

had to look it up , never heard of it . Looks loke fun with the right amount of beer

[media]

[dangerous]

Looks like fun with the right amount of beer

is there a wrong amount of beer? really?
waves to LittleJack

[lemur]

WHAT ABOUT MOLLY DANCING?!

[media]

AND..most importantly. longsword dancing?

[media]

im a big fan of the latter.

[lemur]

of note is that this is all way too english, and you can use the same song for all 3 types of dancing.

[LittleJack]

Unlike Cotswold Morris, Molly dancing and English Longsword (and Northwest clogging, for that matter) are considered Winter dance traditions. Border Morris is also technically a Winter tradition, but it's too damn much fun to not do year 'round.

Molly dancing is cool if it's a high energy team like Gog Magog or Ouse Washes, but there's very little good Molly dancing of that sort on this side of the pond. We put together a molly side for a Winter Traditions Day of Dance a few years ago, Pan's Menagerie (sample video at - I'm the Monkey Molly).

And yes, I also do some longsword dancing as well, both with Red Rose Morris and Sword as well as the Merrie Pryanksters. I'm actually working on building some flaming swords that we can choreograph around - using 3/4" metal slats and 1/2" kevlar wicking. If it works, I'll post a video of it here. If it doesn't, I'll post the hospital address where you can send me flowers and chocolates.

[lemur]

i dont do any of this dacing but i do love this englishy stuff..these dancing/ritualistic/seasonal things really show a gap between the cultures... in america.. at least, from what ive seen.. much of that little village life townlife stuff has been destroyed or perhaps never even existed.. .. maybe im just too used to living in the city and didnt notice the quaint country townfolk doing their little dances

[Krokodyle]

I'll have my mando as well and would be happy to try and meet up to play some Morris tunes I know (and learn ones I don't). The plan this summer is to take sword/Morris classes at music camp (a few weeks before BM) so perhaps I'll be skilled enough to join in the dancing...

[LittleJack]

Hey Krokodyle,

Is that Lark camp? In any case I'm delighted that you'll bring a mando! We need to meet up to swap tunes if nothing else.

Perhaps ironically, I'll be camping in Hushville.

-Little Jack

[Krokodyle]

It is indeed, LJ. I've been a few times (working in one of the kitchens for tuition & food) with friends and it's been a blast. This year should prove the same!

[BeeWeeDee]

I was thinking this thread was going to be a fat cat and a bowl of kibbles.

[marmot3]

Hey I'll dance with you on the playa! Morris is loads of fun. (Also a Larkie btw)

[Ugly Dougly]

Painfully original and cool. I hope it gets you laid more than any DJ.