About this page
This page contains brief details about the video recording; the video (embedded in the page); an abstract for the talk; links to additional resources; a summary and a speaker biography.
Video recording of talk
Recording of a Morris Federation talk on “Winter Sword Dancing: a black and white issue?” by Andrew Kennedy held on Zoom on 29 January 2023. The #MorrisFedvideo lasts for 1 hour 9 minutes.
Video
Abstract
Expanding on ‘Masquerade and Fun’, an article written for the ‘Rattle Up, My Boys‘ longsword magazine, this talk examines the place of sword dancing in winter festivities and contrasts it with civic and religious performances. The central importance of disguise and colour will be discussed.
If you’d like to read more about this and other aspects of sword dancing that have interested Andrew, please look at his website About Sword Dancing at www.sworddance.info. For more info about sword dancing in general, see the Sword Dance Union.
Additional resources
Links to related resources:
- Event details
- 500 word summary
- Review by Liam Hopkins of Grenoside Traditional Longsword Dancers, Sheffield
- About Sword Dancing
- Sword Dance Union
Speaker biography
Having been an enthusiastic country dancer as a child, Andrew Kennedy fell into Morris dancing while at university before finding his way to rapper. When he grew up he became a longsword dancer, going on to play for dancing and then to write a bit about it.
He edited the sword dancing newsletter Rattle Up, My Boys for a while and organised the overseas teams for the 2004 and 2008 International Sword Spectacular festivals.
He has danced/played with teams including Clydeside Rapper, Carlisle Sword and Morris Dancers, Sallyport Sword Dancers, East Saxon Swords, White Star Sword Dancers, Thrales Rapper, Southport Swords, and the North British Sword Dancers.
Summary
- Title: Winter Sword Dancing: a black and white issue?
- Speaker: Andrew Kennedy
- Facilitator: Pauline Woods-Wilson
- Type: talk
- Date of talk: 29 January 2023
- Date page published: 19 April 2023
- Date updated: 27 December 2024 (link to summary added)
- Video edited by: Brian Kelly
#MFvideo #MorrisFedvideo #MorrisFedvideos
