The second solo dance to be released in the ‘Isolation Instructionals’ series of videos made during the Covid-19 outbreak is a dance in the North West style called Celebration. It is so called because it celebrates some of the different types of steps to be found in North West Morris dances.

It is danced and taught by John Earnshaw of Wakefield Morris from West Yorkshire, with musician Will Pound. The original video was taken from John performing it at the John Gasson Jig Competition held at the annual Sidmouth Folk Festival.

It can be danced solo, or for as many as will, in whatever direction works for the number of dancers.

A link to the Notation and Music is included in the description, along with ‘jump to’ links so you can go back to wherever you left off learning.

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

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 28^th 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 29^th 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

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

Weekend Programme

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