Background Information on the Dance
Morris Dancing
Morris dancing began in Engiand in the 15th century, when it was part of the celebrations held at corp planting or harvesting times. It was well known in Shakespeare’s time,but by the end of the 19th century had almost disappeared. At that time, only a small number of people practiced it in villages in the English Midlands. Since then, it has been increasing in popularity in Englang and USA, where people from all professions join together to celebrate the changing seasons. The dencers, known as teams, wear bells, wave handkerchiefs or sticks, and dance to simple tunes.
The teams appearing at the All About Dance Fastival come from different areas of England, so you will notice slight differences in the dances they perfrom.