BS: Morris dancers

Subject: BS: Morris dancers
From: Shanghaiceltic
Date: 21 Sep 06 - 11:51 PM

Rapping morriss

Not seen this on the streets of the UK before.

Subject: RE: BS: Morris dancers
From: Sooz
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 02:44 AM

should be seen and not heard!

Subject: RE: BS: Morris dancers
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 03:51 AM

Maybe not seen on the streets but seen on far too many computer screens over the last year or two....

Can we just draw a veil over the whole thing??

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Morris dancers
From: JennyO
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 07:59 AM

Speaking of seen and not heard, was there supposed to be sound with that? I didn't hear any.

Subject: RE: BS: Morris dancers
From: Mr Red
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 08:21 AM

Yes and it wasn't worth it.

Subject: RE: BS: Morris dancers
From: Azizi
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 08:31 AM

I know next to nothing about Morris dancers. Instead of focusing on the rap sound that was added to the video, I was interested in those dancers use of canes. Its interesting to me to see how similar movement/dance traditions are throughout the world.

For instance, Kappa Kanes is a website about the African American Greek letter [university based] fraternal organization, Kappa Alpha Psi, Inc. and their signature use of canes in their step shows. This website has some photos.

Here's an excerpt from that website:

"Cane stepping became an official part of [Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. at the 66th Grand Chapter meeting in 1986] and a dazzling competition was held in front of hundreds of onlookers during a picnic in Washington's Rock Creek Park to illustrate the skills of the trade. Several groups participated, performing frenzied and entertaining steps."

-snip-

This is not to say that this or other fraternity's use of the cane is the same as the Morris Dancers. I don't think it is, thought there are some similar movements. I just wanted to point out that there is some shared traditions-perhaps when you least expect there to be.

Btw, I've not yet found any online video clips of [Black or Latino] Greek letter fraternities & sororities, or other Black or Latino community based step shows.

Subject: RE: BS: Morris dancers
From: GUEST,Bainbo
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 09:08 AM

It must be 20 years or so ago, Hart & Hound Morris, from Hartelpool, UK,danced were dancingin Durham Market Place, when our musician, Pete Greig, grabbed a plastic rubbish bin and used it to beat out a rhythm while he rapped an introduction.

Sadly, Pete is no longer with us. And I'm ashamed to say, I don't remember any of the rap, except that it ended : "... We gonna do a dance called Landlord Fill," at which he took up his melodeon and went straight into the first few bars.

He hadn't told us he was going to do it, and we nearly couldn't dance for laughing. (Mind, we could usually find some reason for not being able to dance.)

Subject: RE: BS: Morris dancers
From: Eye Lander
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 07:11 PM

We had Chav Morris at Miskin this year, it was very clever and very very funny and I hope they do it again next year.

Subject: RE: BS: Morris dancers
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 28 Sep 06 - 05:08 AM

Azizi - In Cotswold Morris Dancing the use of sticks is more a case of various dances representing a fight. The sticks are more solid than the canes from the dancers you mention. If you watch some of the old Robin Hood films, you will see the fight where Robin meets little John and they fight with quarter staffs for control of a narrow bridge across the stream. Morris sticks are more based on the staff rather than a walking cane.
In some dances it is very obvious that "battle" is happening, in other dances it is more abstract.
Hope this helps you.
Quack!
Geoff.

Subject: RE: BS: Morris dancers
From: GUEST,ibo
Date: 28 Sep 06 - 06:51 AM

THIS IS OUR NATONAL DANCE,AND IT MUST HAVE STRUCK FEAR INTO OUR ENEMIES.STUFF THE HAKA,LETS ALL JUMP AROUND LIKE A BUNCH OF GRAHAM NORTONS.

Subject: RE: BS: Morris dancers
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 28 Sep 06 - 08:43 AM

Don't shout.
It is extremely poor manners, old chap.
Quack!
GtD.

Subject: RE: BS: Morris dancers
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 28 Sep 06 - 05:34 PM

He can't help it, his knob is stuck.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Morris dancers
From: GUEST,Ibo
Date: 28 Sep 06 - 05:44 PM

Sorry my caps lock was stuck,but i still think that morris dancers are sad middle aged train spotters who really should try to get a better life.Sorry.

Subject: RE: BS: Morris dancers
From: Bizibod
Date: 28 Sep 06 - 06:11 PM

You're missing out pal.......Up to you...

Subject: RE: BS: Morris dancers
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 28 Sep 06 - 11:10 PM

I think that guests who troll and flame are exactly the same as middle aged train spotters who really should try to get a better life. They're also wankers. And I'm not sorry.

Subject: RE: BS: Morris dancers
From: Azizi
Date: 28 Sep 06 - 11:34 PM

Geoff the Duckm thanks for that explanation, and especially mentioning the Robin Hood/Little John scene. That reference helped a lot.

Apparently, there are stick fighting traditions throughout the world.
at least that's what Wikipedia says here

Again, thanks Geoff!

Best wishes,

Azizi

Subject: RE: BS: Morris dancers
From: Azizi
Date: 28 Sep 06 - 11:35 PM

Now where did that "m' come from??

Duckm=Duck

But you knew that, right? Right.

Subject: RE: BS: Morris dancers
From: treewind
Date: 29 Sep 06 - 08:39 AM

Middle Aged train spotters?

You should see Dog Rose, or Morris Offspring, or Black Swan Rappper, or ... I'm sure there are many others.

Anahata

Subject: RE: BS: Morris dancers
From: manitas_at_work
Date: 29 Sep 06 - 08:52 AM

What's so wrong with being a middle aged train spotter anyway? So many people seem to think that "Get a life!" means "do as I do".

Subject: RE: BS: Morris dancers
From: Bill t' bodger
Date: 29 Sep 06 - 09:06 AM

I am no train spotter and think it may be offensive to others to call them such, the level of fitness and skill needed for some of the dances is very high and I have the highest respect for those who do the dances.

I dance myself and have since my mid twenties not middle aged when I started I think, the team I now dance with could blow your mind and body quite literally, and we have a great life inside and outside the team thankyou very much
Bill

Subject: RE: BS: Morris dancers
From: Rapparee
Date: 29 Sep 06 - 09:11 AM

It's Jennie-O's fault. Over on MOAB she used the phrase "Bin Laden and Morris Dancers" and now I can't get the picture of Osama Bin Laden as a Morris Dancer out of my mind.

Take it, please. You're welcome to it!

Subject: RE: BS: Morris dancers
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 30 Sep 06 - 03:31 AM

What's wrong with being a middle aged trainspotter??

Where should we start....

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Morris dancers
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 30 Sep 06 - 03:56 AM

I were a trainspotter when I were a lad. Spent many an hour on the up-platform at Retford Station. Kept me occupied and out of trouble - there weren't many of us spray-painting graffiti or filling up with smack and going round shooting people in fast-food restaurants back then.

Mind you, trains were worth spotting then - had style and personality, not like the boring diesel and electric things we have now. Bring back the steam trains and watch the teeenage crime figures drop! :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Morris dancers
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 30 Sep 06 - 04:02 AM

I must confess to being a train spotter spotter.... not that I travel by rail very often, but it's fun, picking out the anoraks from the general passengers. My best is a full olive green quilted anorak circa 1973, with badges, beany hat and clipboard with pen on a string, spotted at Durham in 1992.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Morris dancers
From: GUEST,ibo
Date: 30 Sep 06 - 06:46 AM

You have persuaded me liz,please get me one of those anoraks

Subject: RE: BS: Morris dancers
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 30 Sep 06 - 02:45 PM

I had one of those Liz, with a bright orange lining and a snorkel hood with fake fur round it. Used to wear it when I was a Mod, driving around on my Lambretta with 75 billion mirrors sticking up from the handlebars on long stalks! Also the 6-foot aerial attached to the carrier, with an Esso Tiger-Tail tied to the tip. I thought I was the king of the road. Now I ROFL at the image that conjures up!
S:0)

Subject: RE: BS: Morris dancers
From: Mad Musix
Date: 01 Oct 06 - 02:58 PM

Back to reality 'ombres ... back to the original videsnip:

I thought the use of the onbeat of the rap against the offbeat of the footing was interesting.

I sometimes do that on my accordeon and it drives the dancers to distraction. My side are rather brainlocked-on-the-tune, who claim they can only dance to the tune as-writ.

I have oft questioned them as to where is it "as-writ", and pointed out that
(1)the Black Book only records the bare tune ; and
(2)it has a load of duff notes in it that make a nonsense of some tunes.

So I shall promote this videsnip to them as an "alternative" global view of the accompaniment to the dance ... phaps when they are practising with hankies.