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Joining a Morris Side
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Subject: Joining a Morris Side From: Cllr Date: 04 Sep 02 - 07:24 PM At Bridgnorth Fest I ran into my local morris side Redbournstoke, and they were trying to get me to join. The wife thinks this is a good idea as I could do with the exercise, I am thinking seriously about it but before taking this dramatic step (or steps) I wondered what my fellow mudcatters thought... |
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Subject: RE: Joining a Morris Side From: Anglo Date: 05 Sep 02 - 12:52 AM Balance the exercise against the additional beer consumption. JR (Morris dancer emeritus). |
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Subject: RE: Joining a Morris Side From: mouldy Date: 05 Sep 02 - 02:57 AM The above, plus you get into visitor attractions free when you're booked to perform there! On a practical note: now is usually the best time of year to join a side - when the summer dance-out season is drawing to a close and they have the time to train up new members and learn new dances. Andrea |
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Subject: RE: Joining a Morris Side From: Liz the Squeak Date: 05 Sep 02 - 02:57 AM If you make sure that your dearly beloved wife also gets a night out on her own, then go for it. Of course, if she plays an instrument you could suggest she joins too.... If you go away for the weekend to a festival, invite her along or give her the opportunity to go away for her own weekend. The target is balance. For every night you are out enjoying yourself and drinking beer, make sure she gets a night out to herself. And try not to come home reeling at midnight. It's a good way to get to different festivals, there is no law that says a morris wife/partner must watch every performance... usually one is enough to show willing, especially if that one is on a prestigious stage. Then you can go off and enjoy yourself in your own ways. LTS - Morris widow for 12 years. |
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Subject: RE: Joining a Morris Side From: GUEST,Chipinder Date: 05 Sep 02 - 03:49 AM If you're asking for an opinion it sounds as if you may not be over enthusiastic? Ask youself: Do you like their style of dancing? Do you enjoy their company/social events? Is the side welcoming to partners and families of dancers/musicians? Do you like the people in the side? Could you wear the kit without too much embarrassment? If so I say have a go and see if you enjoy it. Quite right that now is the time to start so you can practice the dancing before next season. You're probably OK with the socialising and beer consumption already! Also quite right not to exclude wife and family. Go for it - good luck. Chipinder |
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Subject: RE: Joining a Morris Side From: Trevor Date: 05 Sep 02 - 04:29 AM LtS, I didn't know that Morris dancers did reels at home! |
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Subject: RE: Joining a Morris Side From: GUEST,Whippet Date: 05 Sep 02 - 05:14 AM Don't Join keep Yourself PURE !!!!! |
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Subject: RE: Joining a Morris Side From: clansfolk Date: 05 Sep 02 - 06:11 AM Here at Singleton Cloggers (Lancashire UK)we ensure the dancers keep a balanced diet - with an apres clog after each practise, The musicians of course are all TT!!!!!!
evryone's welcom to come along on a Monday - give it a try! if you don't enjoy yourself - there's no contract involved - but very few don't enjoy it!!!
If anyone in the Fylde fancies a go pop over to our web site and have a look at the info....
http://www.singletoncloggers.co.uk Pete |
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Subject: RE: Joining a Morris Side From: GUEST,alex Date: 05 Sep 02 - 08:06 AM Don`t even think about it, get yursen down there, even if they dance cotswold, you will have a great time. A word of warning though, it could take over your life. My wife joined the Slubbing Billy`s about 5 years ago. She was enjoying herself so much I had to go myself. She is now foreman, I dance and play accordion and my 14year old daughter dances. Possibly worse still, I met Wrigley Head through Slubblng Billy`s and have joined them as well. We have met hundreds of folk through the morris and always been made welcome. Everyone has always been so friendly.It might help if you like beer. All the best Alex |
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Subject: RE: Joining a Morris Side From: alanww Date: 05 Sep 02 - 08:21 AM I'm sure you already know that there is often some good post-morris singing. And you would get to see me a bit more frequently, ie at morris events as well as singing and folk event. Be very scared! Seriously though, its a good craik - enjoy! It is good exercise and you don't have to get p*ss*d every time you go out (which wrecks the singing vioce anyway)! Dancing and singing, bell ringing and bringing in flowers of springtime ... |
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Subject: RE: Joining a Morris Side From: Noreen Date: 05 Sep 02 - 08:26 AM Liking beer isn't the problem... Go for it, councillor, Sir! |
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Subject: RE: Joining a Morris Side From: GUEST,Jane Bird Date: 05 Sep 02 - 10:18 AM Go along for a couple of practices, and see what you reckon. After all, most things are worth a try! Apart from dance being a good form of exercise, it's sociable, and it's really good way to get round to lots of different nice pubs and places! What luck your local side is Redbornestoke, they're a really good side to watch! Jane |
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Subject: RE: Joining a Morris Side From: DMcG Date: 05 Sep 02 - 11:44 AM I had slightly bad experience when I tried to join a very well established side many years ago after dancing Apted, Playford etc for about 4 years. [I'm sure its not typical and all that. Nevertheless...] After I'd danced in practices with them for a few weeks they reckoned if I stuck to it for about 5 more years I'd be ready to dance in public with them - and this was serious, not a joke. As I was leaving the area in a year for work reasons I did not find this very encouraging. As a result I've never really got involved in Morris since. I have, however, done a lot of Playford etc and found them much more welcoming. As I say, I have no doubt it was (some of) the individuals involved and the culture of that side, not the general attitude in the Ring. If it happens to you, cut your losses and try elsewhere. |
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Subject: RE: Joining a Morris Side From: Midchuck Date: 05 Sep 02 - 12:02 PM If you're all that interested in having passersby pelt you with rotten fruit and dead cats, why not simply get a soapbox and make long, dull, anarchistic political speeches? Peter. |
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Subject: RE: Joining a Morris Side From: Cllr Date: 05 Sep 02 - 12:39 PM Thanks Midchuck but I already do long dull conservative political speeches. |
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Subject: RE: Joining a Morris Side From: Abuwood Date: 05 Sep 02 - 12:53 PM Foxs Morris Cookly welcomes new members at Cookley First School, near Kidderminster Thursdays Termtime 8pm. I agree with DmcG, look for a side that don't take themselves too seriously or else it can be a real chore and be aware of the great divide between Morris Ring - men only and Morris Federation Mixed sides. We have had some super times, OK so we look mad but we give a lot of smiles. Word of warning on the fitness front, warm up properley torn ligaments are very painful, and as I am ancient and heavy my knees have quickly worn out so I am learning the melodeon cos I still want to be with the crew. |
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Subject: RE: Joining a Morris Side From: Noreen Date: 05 Sep 02 - 12:55 PM Hee hee- many a wise word spoken in jest, Midchuck! CD's in the post, Cllr) |
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Subject: RE: Joining a Morris Side From: Cllr Date: 05 Sep 02 - 01:08 PM Abuwood your point is a major consideration, my wife used to dance with seven stray broads sorry seven straw braids, and she would quite like to join a mixed side with me (she says)but redbornstoke are men only. |
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Subject: RE: Joining a Morris Side From: GUEST,Peter from Essex Date: 05 Sep 02 - 03:00 PM I don't know what Redbournstoke are like but like DMcG I joined an excellent side back in the 70s and found that it would take a dispiritingly long time to get up to standard. I wonder what happened to my "Seven Straw Braid Groupie" T shirt. |
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Subject: RE: Joining a Morris Side From: AggieD Date: 05 Sep 02 - 04:11 PM Well I can certainly give an informed opinion, as Redbornstoke are my local men's side, & a very nice bunch (well most of them!). They certainly seem to have a great time, have plenty of invites to places & you can probably even get a bit of a sing in with them. I have a good idea, why don't you have a go with Redbornstoke & your wife come along & join the local women's side. I am a former dancer, as the ankles & hips have now given up, & now a musician & trainee fool. We even have do other 'normal' things outside morris!! We would certainly welcome any females interested in having a go at dancing & any musicians either male or female. If you are interested, I will let you have more details. AggieD |
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Subject: RE: Joining a Morris Side From: Abuwood Date: 06 Sep 02 - 08:57 AM Have a look for federation sides |
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Subject: RE: Joining a Morris Side From: Abuwood Date: 06 Sep 02 - 09:00 AM Sorry tried blue clickie, didn't work will try again www.morrisfed.org Have a look for federation sides near you HERE |
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Subject: RE: Joining a Morris Side From: Burke Date: 06 Sep 02 - 11:34 AM What shape are your knees in? Be very, very careful! |
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Subject: RE: Joining a Morris Side From: Watson Date: 06 Sep 02 - 01:48 PM Clickie required? |
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Subject: RE: Joining a Morris Side From: Liz the Squeak Date: 07 Sep 02 - 05:36 AM Cllr - have you spoken with Roger yet? He's in 3 sides, Jane Bird (Hi there Jane, nice to see you lurking) is in one that's mixed and fairly good, and my own (well, leased for a time) Manitas is in two.... find a morris dancer, buy them a beer or two and talk to them. Get them before they drink the beer though. You may end up finding that like chocolate, one is never enough. LTS |
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Subject: RE: Joining a Morris Side From: Mr Red Date: 07 Sep 02 - 06:34 AM When I suggested joining a Morris side they fell about. Which is why I suggested joining them. I think it is the beer that makes them fall about |
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Subject: RE: Joining a Morris Side From: GUEST,Jane Bird Date: 09 Sep 02 - 12:06 PM You could also try looking at Sidefinder on this page. Jane |
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Subject: RE: Joining a Morris Side From: GUEST,bj Date: 09 Sep 02 - 05:16 PM Joining a morris team requires serious consideration and while the advice you've received thus far is marginally acceptable, clearly you are in a quandry. Have you thought about May Day - every May 1, up before dawn to dance, drink, sing - and then what - usually out again after a leisurely breakfast for more dancing, drinking and singing (pubs you know, they always appear just when the unsuspecting morris dancer least expects it). And no one has mentioned Ales. Weekend long gatherings where all you do is dance, drink, sing and perform/watch really silly skits - don't plan on sleeping during these weekends, it doesn't happen. And the pubs - they will get in the way of a really crackin' tour. I haven't seen a single mention of the effect of morris dancing on Family life. Morris dancing generally involves the entire family - since no partner will stand by idly while the one they love is singing, dancing and wasting their lives in pubs (singing, dancing and - oh heaven forbid, drinking beer). Children grow up thinking it's normal for parents to wear bells and wave sticks. They form their own support groups, and have even been known to not only form their own groups (with cute names like 'tiny swords' but have also been know to WRITE and perform in, Mummers plays. Can you do this to your children - heaven forbid man!! |
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