Morris dancing - what's it about ?

Subject: RE: Morris dancing - whats it about ?
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Mar 04 - 03:45 PM

It's a pity I can't go to Whitby then but our Highland ball is being held on the 1st! Plus I'll have exams soon after!

Subject: RE: Morris dancing - whats it about ?
From: LesB
Date: 03 Mar 04 - 04:07 PM

An extra treat at Moor & Coast this year is 'Mr Fox'. I don't want to give the game away, but think, torchlit processions with dancers in fox masks down the spookey side streets of the East Side, hypnotic music & a finale at the East Side Market.

Les

Subject: RE: Morris dancing - whats it about ?
From: Rasener
Date: 03 Mar 04 - 05:29 PM

Les
Do you mean Mr Bob Fox. Yes please. If not I think my kids will love that. What a great idea.
Please keep me informed.
Les

Subject: RE: Morris dancing - whats it about ?
From: Dave Wynn
Date: 03 Mar 04 - 06:49 PM

Just re-read my earlier post. Bad day at work and I shouldn't have ripped off at no one in particular. Just because I have to take the crap while dancing and then coz I sing folk it's no reason to blame MC'ers who just wanted to share some humour.

Dressing in Clogs , knee britches ,white knee length socks and a flowery hat leaves me little to complain about the odd prod.

To try and answer the question posed by GUEST , Curious , it's all things to all dancers. For me it was a revelation of music and movement. Some of the moves and turns give a most satisfying feeling. Perhaps because most of them are hundreds of years old. The music was what I enjoyed listening to anyway and the righteous feel of keeping a tradition alive was a little icing on the cake.

Like FolkieDave I have danced far more extensively abroad than I have sang. France , Germany and Belgium and most counties in England. It doesn't stop me looking like a knob head while I am doing it , but it suits me.


Spot

Subject: RE: Morris dancing - whats it about ?
From: LesB
Date: 03 Mar 04 - 07:00 PM

Not Bob Fox, Not Mr Fox, Bob Peggs old group but a dance ensemble called Mr Fox that comes out after dark!

Les

Subject: RE: Morris dancing - whats it about ?
From: GUEST,raggytash
Date: 03 Mar 04 - 07:13 PM

Subject: RE: Morris dancing - whats it about ?
From: GUEST,raggytash
Date: 03 Mar 04 - 07:15 PM

I was always led to believe it was about sex, sounds good to me

Subject: RE: Morris dancing - whats it about ?
From: GUEST,DrWord
Date: 03 Mar 04 - 08:15 PM

A Morris Dance troupe from Winnipeg was at the Manitou Coffee House a few months ago, where they performed "The first Morris dance written in Canada". When they came out with hockey sticks, they did a brilliantly choreographed Morris dance, replete with body checks! What a hoot!

Cheers,
dennis

Subject: RE: Morris dancing - whats it about ?
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 04 Mar 04 - 06:48 AM

I have heard that there are various versions of 'the mop & bucket' as originally inspired by a Lunatic SF Writer of DiscWorld tales...

Robin
(A Pratchett Fan)

Subject: RE: Morris dancing - whats it about ?
From: GUEST,Tracey Dragonsfriend
Date: 04 Mar 04 - 02:19 PM

What I want to know is : What happened to the Royal Liberty Morris men? The bikers, who replaced those hankies & sticks with oil-rags and 3/8 Whitworth spanners...

Subject: RE: Morris dancing - whats it about ?
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Mar 04 - 01:46 PM

I saw Royal Liberty at the Rochester Sweeps festival four years ago!
They were almost certainly still around in 2002 because I saw them advertised somwhere. I'm not sure where they are now though!

Subject: RE: Morris dancing - whats it about ?
From: lady penelope
Date: 06 Mar 04 - 11:47 AM

'Right' Liberty are still very much going. They are currently using scaffolding instead of sticks and their squire has had a lovely pink gingham knee length dress made, that sets his beard off a treat.

TTFN Lady P.

Subject: RE: Morris dancing - whats it about ?
From: GUEST,Crystal
Date: 07 Mar 04 - 07:33 AM

Ah yes, I remember the gingham!
And the scaffolding!
They certainly draw a crowd!

Subject: RE: Morris dancing - whats it about ?
From: lady penelope
Date: 07 Mar 04 - 12:25 PM

Yes, they lure the public in with the 'curiosity quotient' and then scare the bejasus out of them..........lovely fellas all.

TTFN Lady P.

Subject: RE: Morris dancing - whats it about ?
From: Peace
Date: 07 Mar 04 - 10:54 PM

Google      morris dancing, history

First site at the top of the page will, I think, answer the question. Sorry, couldn't get the blue thingy to work.