Dance Display – Tewkesbury – 28th Feb 2013
Roses Theatre
Sun Street
Tewkesbury
GL20 5NX
Dancing will take place around the town including Roses Theatre Entrance , In the Garden of the Albion and Outside Blockbusters
Google Map Showing Dance Spots http://goo.gl/maps/4aDZF
Happenstance (above)
(Dancing in the Roses Theatre Entrance)
Evolving New Traditions Together
Happenstance is a mixed Border Morris side dancing to live music. We are based in Winchcombe, nestling in the shadow of Cleeve Hill (please see the ‘Map’). Mixed Border welcomes both men and women of all ages as dancers and musicians. We meet at Winchcombe Abbey Primary School every Thursday night in the winter months (October–April) between 7.30 and 9pm then repair to a local hostelry. In the summer months we ‘dance out’
Our kit colours are black, blue and green with a splash of red. We have chosen these to remember the original Winchcombe Morris which was described by Eleanor Adlard in Winchcombe Cavalcade. They wore a blue stripe down the side of their trousers.
Each dancer makes his or her own tattercoat which is made from rags. This reflects the origins of border morris dancing in poor rural communities who had to make good use of every resource. When money was scarce in the winter months they would dance but have to disguise themselves by putting soot on their faces. It was necessary to use a disguise to avoid arrest for begging.
We wear bowler hats adorned with pheasants’ feathers; this honours the Winchcombe tradition recorded by Emma Dent in her diary. We also wear bells on our trousers and use chair legs for sticks.
If you are interested in joining as a dancer, musician or supporter please contact us
http://www.happenstance-winchcombebordermorris.co.uk/homepage.htm/
England’s Glory Ladies Morris
(Dancing outside Blockbusters)
England’s Glory celebrate its 40th anniversary this year, being one of the earliest women’s Morris sides to be formed in the early 70s. The name comes from the famous brand of matches that used to be manufactured by Morelands in Gloucester. The side’s main dances come from the village of Ilmington in Warwickshire, where they were danced by women and girls in the early 20th century, but the repertoire includes dances from other traditions and some devised by members of the side.
Lassington Oak Morris Men
(Dancing in the Garden of the Albion)
Lassington Oak are a men’s Cotswold Morris side from Highnam, near Gloucester and were formed in 1977. The side owes its name to a once mighty oak tree in Lassington Wood, Highnam.
Lassinton Oak dance in the Cotswold Tradition, performing dances from a variety of villages including Bampton, Bledinton, Adderbury, Eynsham & Fieldtown (Leafield) Unlike many Morris sides our kit is fairly plain, consisting of a white shirt & socks, black britches & a brown leather waistcoat. The bell pads, worn below the knees, have colourful oak leaf shaped felts on oak leaf shaped leather pads. The kit reflects the clothing worn by Morris Men in past centuries, who would have been farm labourers & ordinary village folk. Lassington Oak are renowned not only for their dancing, but as fine musicians & singers.
Wimberry Clog
(Dancing in the Garden of the Albion)
Wimberry Clog hail from the Forest of Dean and were formed in about 1979/80 . By taking the opportunity of clog workshops up and down the country, they began to gather a collection of dances.It has always been important to maintain the tradition of clog dance, which exists as part of the areas mining past. Over the years, they have organised teaching workshops, given displays for groups, such as scouts, guides, schools, W.I.’s, gardening clubs, danced at barn dances, twinning events, and even at a People’s Pageant in Gloucester Cathedral. More info here.
www.wimberryclog.btik.com.btck.co.uk
Appleyard
(Dancing outside Blockbusters)
Appleyard Ladies Traditional Dancers
We are a group of female dancers from Worcestershire, who perform traditional dances to live music. We have male and female musicians who play a range of instruments including the accordian, clarinet, flute, fiddle, guitar and drum.
We wear colourful costumes based on the colours of the Appleyard duck which is our mascot. We enjoy a wide range of dances from all over the UK, many traditionally performed by women. Our aim is to entertain and have fun!
website www.appleyardfolk.co.uk
Forest of Dean Morris Men
(Dancing in the Garden of the Albion)
The Forest of Dean Morris Men side was formed in 1968 and dancing out on their 43rd season this year. The FODMM dance mostly traditional Cotswold dances, and some unique dances from the Forest. On the second weekend in June the Forest side hosts other Morris sides from across the country. This family friendly event has been held for over 40 years. A number of coaches take the colourful and varied sides to dance, and drink, at several pubs throughout the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley. The picture shows the Forest of Dean Morris Men doing a traditional Forest Dance in Coleford Town centre, which marks the start of the day. They have performed at many different locations in England and Wales, also Germany and France. In 2010 they celebrated 30 years of being invited to take part in the ‘Fleurs d’Ajonc’ festival in Pont Aven. The Forest side had the honour of leading the procession through the Brittany town. The picture shows the Forest of Dean Morris Men in the procession. Usually Morris sides wear white shirts crossed with coloured baldricks (sashes) and white trousers or black breeches. In the Forest of Dean, however, the dancers have traditionally worn “rag jackets”. The current Forest of Dean Morris Men’s costume is based on the Ruardean (a village in the Forest of Dean) kit of the 1880’s. One theory for the wearing of Rag Jackets is that it represents the leaves of the Forest. You will have to ask one of the dancers for the real reason.
Gloucestershire Morrismen
(Dancing in the Roses Theatre Entrance)
Stroud Morris Dancers
(Dancing outside Blockbusters)
Old Meg Morris
(Dancing in the Garden of the Albion)