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More Information |
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Phone: 757-220-6857 E-mail: mail@rscarnegie.com |
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To contact us: |
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Border Morris is danced to a HUGE variety of instruments, and all sorts of things can be heard. Most commonly however are melodeons, fiddles, drums, and such. We have danced to fiddles, concertinas, pipe and tabor, and even bagpipes. |
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What Instruments Do You Dance Too? |
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Many Border Morris side, both traditionally and today, practiced the custom of "blacking Up". There are various theories as to why the practice was followed. Most common is the belief that this was a disguise. Passing a hat or bag for money was a common occurrence, and may well be looked upon as illegal begging. |
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Why do you Paint Your Faces? |
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What do you Wear? |
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For most of us, Morris Dancing is just that, dancing. With no particular religious implication whatsoever. There are various theories regarding the roots of Morris dancing, and yes, one of those theories is that it is Pagan. There are also theories that it is Moorish, and that in fact is not so ancient at all. We welcome dancers regardless of their religious convictions. |
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Isn't Morris Dancing Pagan? |
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What is Border Morris? |
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Border Morris is a traditional British folk dance, originating in the English counties bordering Wales, Hertfordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire. Though it shares a common heritage with other forms of Morris such as Cotswold or North West Morris, Border is easily recognized as a different beast.. Most border morris is danced with a simple single step (a step and a hop), not the more complex steps used in other styles. Border is a little less tame than other traditions and dancers clash sticks together rather than waving handkerchiefs! Many sides blacken their faces and wear rag coats (shirts or tunics covered in strips of cloth or ribbons. |
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Drunken Weasels are recognizable by our kit, or dancing costume. We dress in black trousers and shirts, with a rag coat. Our rag coats are made in the Drunken Ferret colors of Black, Blue and Silver. We wear black top hats or bowlers, often decorated themselves in the colors of our side. We wear leather straps with bells under or knees and black shoes or boots. Our faces are "disguised" with blue “paint” . |
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Drunken Weasel Border Morris |