Vital Information:
Practice venue: Cecil Sharp House (or on zoom over Covid - contact bagman for details)
Please contact us using the contact form if you wish to join us for practices. Beginners are as welcome as experienced Morris dancers, and musicians. We're a mixed side and anyone is welcome!
When?
Tuesdays during Autumn and Winter school terms at Cecil Sharp House 6.30-9, London Pride's practice being after the excellent morris class by Andy Richards
Starting again this Autumn from 13th September!
Traditions:London Pride have a wide repertoire of Cotswold traditions:
Adderbury, Bampton, Bledington, Bucknell, Fieldtown, Lichfield, Longborough, Sherborne;
plus a few odd dances from other traditions.
London Pride Country Dancing
As well as morris, London Pride are also a country dance club. The club dances mainly "Playford" and more recent dances in the same style.
Meeting fortnightly for Country Dancing at RADA in Bloomsbury
For further information, contact: Susan Tyler, 020-8428 3256
Questions and Answers:
What is Morris?
The Morris is the traditional English ritual dance. There are several variants of Morris, each from a different region of England. The dances we perform come mainly from villages in the Cotswolds and surrounding areas.
Where does it come from?
The origins of the Morris are lost in the mists of time. It was only recorded (and revived) at the turn of the 20th century, at a time when its continuity was threatened by changes in rural life. There are many theories about its origin. Many people believe it is a pagan fertility rite that has been performed in England for thousands of years to make the crops grow. Others think that the dances developed in fifteenth century Spain, spread across Europe and then died out everywhere except for England and the Basque region of Spain, where similar dances survive.
Why is it called Morris?
An old theory links the word to the Moors of Northern Africa, via "Morisca", a word which is used across Southern Europe to describe similar ceremonial dancing. An alternative idea is that the word Morris simply refers to these dances and has a meaning connected with the cycle of death and rebirth.
Where do the tunes come from?
Many of the Morris tunes can be traced back to the popular tunes of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Other tunes are much more ancient. We also use one or two modern tunes, adapted to our dances.
Where does London Pride come from?
London Pride was formed as a country dance club in 1922, and had set up a Morris side by 1934. It is one of the oldest Morris sides in London. The club's emblem, shown on our baldric, is the wild flower of the same name.
Why do Morris dancing?
Although Morris dancing may have started as a ceremonial dance performed on special occasions, we mainly do it because it's fun. We enjoy being part of a tradition that has been passed down from one generation to the next since time out of mind. We hope you enjoy watching us, and share in the pleasure we get from our dancing.
Morris Links:
