NewsSupport Morris Dancing in the Epic Awards
Rattlejag Morris (members of OM), based in Retford, Notts, is one of only seven groups in England to be shortlisted for an EPIC award - http://epicawards.co.uk/shortlist/ - and the only English traditional side too. They need your support to get as many votes as possible before 16th January.help Rattlejag Morris to fly the flag, please!
Apres Morris Song Archive
Phil Carmichael has put together in one volume 400 + of the very best lyrics to songs that are typically sung during a post dance session. It is well stocked with traditional English folk songs and sea shanties, those of the post 1960's folk revival, comic parody and ditty, including music hall contributions and the inevitable songs about ale. (Renditions of the songs are usually to be found free in You Tube, Spotify.com or other such sites.)email Phil on archivephil@gmail.com.
Britain in a Day
On Saturday 12th November 2011, eight members of Staple Hill Morris danced to the public's delight in The Staple Hill Market Square, Sth Gloucestershire.
They have submitted the video to the BBC to be considered for 'Britain in a Day'and we wish them the best of luck!
They can be contacted via the head at head@staplehillschool.co.uk
Ashley's Rise Junior Morris
"Morris dancers discuss plans for Olympiad"
Morris dancing for 2012
A quote from an article in the Bristol Evening News:'He was also treated to a display of Morris dancing by youngsters from the Green Shoots Junior Morris Dancers, from Longwell Green Primary School, and Ashley's Rise Junior Morris Dancers, who are based in Horfield.'
For the full article go to Olympic advice for Bristol's 2012 projects
Dinosaurs not Allowed - 2010
A Youth Traditional English Dance Showcase hit the streets of Weymouth on 25th September as a part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad's Count Me In weekend in the South West. Teams from across the region aged 5-25 danced to the delight of the general public.A key highlight this year was the invitation to the public and other dancers to have a go at another dance tradition and for the youngest dancers to mix with the oldest. We were joined by young musicians from Budmouth College supported by the local folk dancing/morris community and a swarthy band of pirates as stewards.
This was the second year we have had fine weather - you may have even gone away with a tan!
Attending were RagU26, Babylon (youth) Morris, Ashley's Rise, Green Shoots, Steps in Time, Spaxton Stompers, Anonymous Morris, Litton Cheyney Swallows Morris and an overseas team ... Morris Mynahs from the Isle of Wright! Next year, the event will be held on 24 September - so come on down too Weymouth and see that young dancers are having fun and safely holding the English traditional dance alive.
08/12/2010, quote from Annalise Slader,
Arts Council South West Dance Officer:
"Dinosaurs Not Allowed is a positive opportunity for young people to engage with our cultural heritage and to share and celebrate this with their peers and the wider community".
Contact - John, Organiser on 0117 940 1566 / 07779257096 or publicity@open-morris.org
on behalf of the Joint Morris Organisations,
with assistance from The Arts Council,
London 2012, Count Me In, Dorset and Weymouth Councils.