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Talk – “Winter Sword Dancing: a black and white issue?” – Andrew Kennedy
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.
Approx timings: Talk 1hr 15mins, Q&A 45 mins
Your host
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.
To register
Please complete this online form: Register for the Talk – “Winter Sword Dancing: a black and white issue?” – Andrew Kennedy; you will receive a confirmation email immediately (check your spam/junk/promotions folder!). We will send you a Zoom link a couple of days before the event. Open to all – you don’t have to be a member of a team in The Morris Federation.
Optional Donations
If you enjoy this talk and would like to make a contribution then please support the sword dancing newsletter Rattle Up, My Boys or, better still, subscribe – a very reasonable £8 for one year (4 issues). Email: rattleupmyboys@gmail.com
