Morris Dancers-why do you dance?

Subject: RE: Morris Dancers-why do you dance?
From: GUEST,Widget
Date: 25 Nov 05 - 10:14 AM

Cos the Trekkies were unwilling to grant ya membership???

But then again you can't beat the witchmen at Chester festival, now that's morris dancing with balls!!!

Subject: RE: Morris Dancers-why do you dance?
From: Dead Horse
Date: 25 Nov 05 - 10:11 AM

I guess you choose a style either because you have seen several and pick the one that looks like most fun, or because the members look to be most fun. Or then again it could be because its the local tradition. Or then again you could have been "press-ganged" into it. A case of "If ya don't join, we will publish these piccies we took of you dancin' with us"
Thats my excuse, and I'm sticking to it!

Subject: RE: Morris Dancers-why do you dance?
From: Paul Burke
Date: 25 Nov 05 - 09:48 AM

Why does anyone dance at all? I've never understood it. Waste of good playing/ drinking time!

Subject: RE: Morris Dancers-why do you dance?
From: Paco Rabanne
Date: 25 Nov 05 - 09:10 AM

Never tried it, it looks bloody good fun though, and it certainly livens up the streets during Whitby festival. Bat on lads!

Subject: RE: Morris Dancers-why do you dance?
From: Wilfried Schaum
Date: 25 Nov 05 - 09:01 AM

Only heard about morris dancers when they were made fun of here, but this thread woke my interest.
A fine book: Morris Dance, by Cecil Sharp, which can be found at Project Gutenberg.
Fine that such old entertainments are not forgotten.

Subject: RE: Morris Dancers-why do you dance?
From: Wyrd Sister
Date: 25 Nov 05 - 08:59 AM

Thanks all, so far you reflect my perceptions.

Crystal - I meant to make clear I didn't just mean Cotswold, but all varieties as represented by Open Morris/Fed/Ring. Thanks for reminding me of that.

Are there any reasons people opt for one style rather than another?

Subject: RE: Morris Dancers-why do you dance?
From: MuddleC
Date: 25 Nov 05 - 08:58 AM

the question should be -why not?

Peer pressure or the lampooning of the press in order to get cheap laughs, that is our bane.
I don't dance, not because I don't want to or haven't tried, ankle and knee injuries stop me, it is a physical workout!!

all pastimes I follow are considered 'wierd', from American cars to my american police bikes, from my 'Amateur radio' (Tony Hancock and The Radio Ham!!?), folk singing... (Rambling Sid Rumpo), even target shooting using ....>gasp< guns!

I am sorry, I wouldn't cross the road to watch a football match, go to a rave, take illegal drugs, beat people up for their mobile phone, watch 'get-me-utta-here' TV, or have 2000Watts of bonka-bonka music emanating from a crappy sport hatch-back.... all things considered 'normal'??

Tolerance is the thing that has gone from the world, just look at our govt. 'party whip' system and the media's glamourised personal activities of our country's role models, politicians and footballers, to see where the rot has set in.

Morris dancing, dance because you can, or if you prefer, 'if I had to explain, you wouldn't understand'

politically incorrect, I maybe, but I'm having fun, what's your excuse?

Subject: RE: Morris Dancers-why do you dance?
From: Crystal
Date: 25 Nov 05 - 08:24 AM

All I can say is that it is FUN!
I didn't have a choice about dancing, my parents did it, but I love it so much that I am still dancing at 22. Not morris dance however, currently I fill my evenings with Scottish Country, Rapper and North West Clog instead!

Subject: RE: Morris Dancers-why do you dance?
From: Rasener
Date: 25 Nov 05 - 08:06 AM

It must be a great way of keeping fit and letting you drink as much as you want without putting weight on.

I think they bring fun and summer to an event.

Keep up the good work you Morris Dancers

Subject: RE: Morris Dancers-why do you dance?
From: Hopfolk
Date: 25 Nov 05 - 07:37 AM

I took up Morris dancing around 6 weeks ago.
As to why?

It's like some beautiful secret that maybe 99% of the community just don't understand. An abstract little timewarp to when people could shed their cares and the ridiculous perceptions that none of us can display anything that makes us seem abnormal in any way. I very much look forward to practise night, because it's 2 hours of solid belly-laughter and quite challenging learning. Morris dancers are not effeminate either... these guys are REAL men, too, who are comfortable enough with their own gender that they are prepared to dance in public. Grande Cojones.

CamoJohn

Subject: RE: Morris Dancers-why do you dance?
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 25 Nov 05 - 07:06 AM

Concertina ceol, I couldn't have said it better myself! My local team has become my tribe- we've bonded together as good friends and I get to see them every week, make music, dance, laugh, and once in awhile go out in silly clothes and prance around in public! Any more fun would probably be illegal!

Subject: RE: Morris Dancers-why do you dance?
From: concertina ceol
Date: 25 Nov 05 - 06:59 AM

Why do people play five a side football, Dress as Romans in renactments, Go windsurfing, restore old cars Etc.?

We are the ones getting the most out of it. It is great fun, great fellowship, and usually leads to a brilliant singing/music session. You also get to visit the best real ale pubs in the area, whilst getting free booze [well we do:-)].

And as well as doing something enjoyable with a dozen or so others, you get the great feeling of keeping something alive. In my experience most people who come and watch do enjoy it and appreciate it, but that is not the main reason I do it.

Subject: RE: Morris Dancers-why do you dance?
From: Shiplap Structure3
Date: 25 Nov 05 - 06:52 AM

Why aren't there any answers?

Subject: Morris Dancers-why do you dance?
From: Wyrd Sister
Date: 25 Nov 05 - 06:46 AM

"As it fell out upon a morn..." (well, more like the wee small hours actually) I fell to pondering WHY, in the face of so much public indifference or even ridicule (see reactions to recent Olympic suggestion) does morris dance of all types still exist, and why people partake thereof?

This is NOT a troll thread!!

Any answers? Or please pm me if you are willing to answer in a bit more structured manner.

Repeat: This is NOT a troll thread!!