The Morris Federation

The UK's largest association of morris and traditional dance teams

Zooming up the Sun

May Day is a popular day for Morris dancing, as a start to the morris ‘season’ of performing, rather than practising.  Some teams get up and ‘dance up the sun’ at dawn (about 05:31).  Then go off to a pub for a hearty breakfast.

But this year it is different.  With social distancing, morris teams are turning to Zoom, or other conferencing software, so they can meet up virtually and enjoy the first morris event of the year.

Here are 2 sets of Hammersmith Morris dancing ‘Bampton Sidestep’ on May Day, very distanced from each other, and dancing nowhere near their local pub.  They also had to make their own breakfasts.

And further north, Pecsaetan Morris from Sheffield dancing ‘Haste to the Wedding’ at dawn on May Day.

Nationally – and internationally – there has also been a series of Lone Morris Festivals started by Kath Brickell of Anonymous Morris from Poole, Dorset.  See the results of the May Day Lone Morris Festival by searching for the hash tag #MayDayLMF.  See posts tagged #MayDayLMF on ‘How many Morris Dancers are on Facebook?’.  See previous ones at: #LoneMorrisFestival on Sat 21st March 2020 and #LoneMorrisFestival on Sat 25th March 2020.

More info on Hammersmith Morris Men and Pecsaetan Morris

Learn a morris jig

While morris dancers are self-isolating during the Covid-19 outbreak, The Morris Federation has asked several jig dancers up and down the country to video themselves teaching a morris jig so that other dancers can learn a solo jig dance at their own pace.

The first one is Fieldtown – Nutting Girl – danced and taught by Owain Boorman of Clausentum Morris from Southampton, with musician Rimini Dick-Carr.

Now is your chance to learn a new morris jig.

See The Morris Federation’s Youtube channel for this video and more as they become available.

New teams in Ripon and Newcastle

Read in the FedExtra magazine about two new teams:

Ripon Spur Rapper

Ripon Spur Rapper, a new mixed Rapper dance team in North Yorkshire, had their first dance out in April 2019.  They thank Frank Lee for making their swords, and Vince Rutland for his tuition.

Black Gate Morris

Black Gate Morris, a new mixed Cotswold dancing team in Newcastle, is named for a gate of the castle from which the city takes its name, and had their first dance out in summer 2019.  They thank Hexham Morris for their assistance and support.

Read about both teams in the FedExtra magazine, Summer 2019, page 8, and pages 12-13

For more information on the teams, see: Ripon Spur Rapper and Black Gate Morris

 

 

New team in Darlington

Black Diamond Mixed Cotswold Morris

Read in the FedExtra magazine about a relatively new team in Darlington called Black Diamond Mixed Cotswold Morris.

The idea of forming a new mixed Cotswold morris team in the north-east was first thought about in early 2016 when a group of friends got together to discuss the lack of provision for women dancing Cotswold morris in the local area.  They have now been together for 2 years.

Read about the team in the FedExtra magazine, Summer/Winter 2018, page 26

For more information on the team, see: Black Diamond Mixed Cotswold Morris

Mastering Performance Workshop Weekend

Mastering Performance Workshop Weekend – what’s it all about?

The purpose of the weekend is to offer ideas and advice to teams wanting to improve their standard of dancing and performance in order to meet their aims and objectives, be that better recognition, attracting new members, festival invites etc.

The workshops will cover playing for evolved Cotswold,  dancing and playing for traditional and evolved North West, formal discussion panels, informal roundtable discussions, and a chance to network.

To book please complete the online form.

Although one of the main objectives of The Morris Federation is to promote good quality Morris dancing, which for us includes both dancers and musicians, the aim of the workshops are to look not only at the quality of the actual dancing and music but also to discuss the whole performance, so for instance:

– best use of space available
– how teams present themselves walking on and off from a performance
– being ready
– being aware of the audience and not blocking their view
– interacting with other teams
– showing support by watching the other teams rather than distracting the audience
– team style e.g. arm movements, lines etc, which should become automatic so that members can concentrate on the figures without compromising the overall performance
– having an awareness of the dance as a whole i.e. that it is a team and not an individual

The workshops are not at any specific set level, so please be considerate of those less experienced. One of the main reasons teams remain good is that they go back to basics every now and then to maintain their style, which then allows them to focus on the detail.

Roundtable discussions will take place during refreshment breaks, and cover subjects such as:

– Warms Ups
– Running Practices
– Making a dance a performance
– Team Kit
– Team Strategy
– Recruitment

We also hope to film workshops and have a note taker for the each of the roundtable discussions to add relevant material to The Morris Federation archive/library for future use by members.

On Saturday evening will be an informal social, so bring instruments, clogs, voices etc.

Prices are inclusive of refreshments, lunch for day ticket holders, and Saturday evening meal for weekend tickets holders. There is also outdoor camping available.

Saturday afternoon £12.50

Sunday £25

Weekend £50

We hope that gives you a better flavour of the weekend and look forward to seeing you there.

Weekend Programme

Saturday 28th April

12noon

Registration & Welcome

12.45pm

Lunch (Soup, Bread, Cheese & Fruit) & Discussion Groups (as above)

1.15pm

Presentation – The Morris Census 2017 with Jack Worth

2.15pm

Discussion Groups:

  • Team set up & Constitution

  • How to run a practice/ good practice techniques

  • Making a dance a Performance

Workshop 1:

Playing for Evolved Cotswold with Barry Goodman of Redbournestoke Morris

3.15pm

Refreshments & Networking

4.00pm

Discussion Groups – Team roles:

  • Leader/ Foreman/ Squire

  • Secretary/ Bag

  • Treasurer

  • Archivist

Workshop 1 continued

5.00pm

Review & Close

6.00pm

Evening Meal (Lasagne & Salad)

Evening

Informal Music, Song & Dance Session – Bring your own drinks!!

Sunday 29th April

9.30

Registration & Welcome

10.00am

Workshop 2:

Performing Tradional North West with Rivington Morris

Workshop 3:

Playing for Traditional North West with Peter Bearon & Phil Trewinnard of Rumworth Morris

11.00am

Refreshments & Discussion Groups:

  • Team Kit with Margaret Watt (Rivington Morris) & Jenny Everett

  • Team Strategy with Tom Besford (Horwich Prize Medal Morris Men)

  • Recruitment

  • Warm Ups

11.45am

Workshop 2 continued

Workshop 3 continued

12.45pm

Lunch (Soup, Bread, Cheese & Fruit) & Networking

1.15pm

Panel – How to get invited, and then re-invited, to a festival, what festivals offer teams, and what they expect in return. With Melanie Barber (Whitby Folk Week) & Stuart Higson (Bevereley Folk Festival)

2.15pm

Workshop 4:

Performing Evolved North West with Chinewrde Morris

Workshop 5:

Playing for Evolved North West with Claire Haliday of Mortimer’s Morris

3.15pm

Refreshments & Discussion Groups (as above)

4.00pm

Workshop 4 continued

Workshop 5 continued

5.00pm

Review & Close

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