Maroon Bells Morris Dancers Morris dancing dates back hundreds of years in England. Its origins are unknown, and possibly related to seasonal observances intended to wake up the earth in spring and to ensure good crops and healthy animals.
Morris dances are usually performed by a set of six dancers. The dancers clash sticks or wave handkerchiefs as they perform the figures of the dance. Bells on their legs jingle as they move.
The dances are often accompanied by traditional folk characters.
The Fool romps around the set, harassing the dancers and amusing the audience. The Hobby Horse prances about, sometimes carrying a hat used to solicit money from the observers.
The Betty, a man in women's clothing, is an ancient fertility symbol.
Music is an integral part of Morris dancing and is always performed live. A traditional Morris instrument is the pipe and tabor: a single musician simultaneously plays a three-holed pipe
with the left hand and a small drum with the right hand. Other instruments have come into use in the twentieth century.
Maroon Bells' musicians play accordion or concertina, as well as the pipe and tabor.
The Maroon Bells Morris Dancers have performed widely in the last twenty-seven years. Sites have included the Colorado Shakespeare Festival, Colorado Renaissance Festival,
Longs Peak Highland Games, Fort Collins Irish Festival, and tours of England in 1989 and 2000. Each year, the group dances at the Midwest Morris Ale, a gathering of Morris dancers on Memorial Day weekend. The Ale came to Boulder in 1989,1998 and 2004.
Robin Smith is the Squire, or administrative leader, and Sallie Sprague is the Foreman, or dance leader. The group meets on Wednesday evenings from 7:40 to 9:30 at
North Metro Jazzercize, 11934 N. Washington, in Northglenn. Beginners are always welcome and receive free instruction. The 19 members range in age from their teens to their 70's.
For more information, please call Robin Smith at (303) 651-0909 or send E-mail to robins@mesanetworks.net. The group has a web site at Maroon Bells, where the performance schedule is posted.
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