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Culture Days will return September 20 – October 13, 2024.
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Morris Dancing
Dance Music Performance Physical activity & movement
Date and time
Location
Cedar Hill Recreation and Arts Centre
Victoria (Saanich), BC
Access
Free.
Offered in English.
Has gender-neutral washrooms and wheelchair accessible.
About
A display of English Morris (folk) dances from two different regions of England (Cotswold and North West), with live acoustic instruments accompanying! We dance outdoors with sticks clashing together or hankies waving, or “tiddlers” which were originally bobbins from the cotton mills. We wear bells on our shoes or legs, long ribbons, and flowered headbands or hats. Our Cotswold side is called Hollytree Morris and is a mixed side; the North West side, Island Thyme Morris, is a women’s side.
We will be doing at least one audience participation dance which is easy to teach and fun for onlookers. We encourage all ages to participate, no experience necessary!
Links
- Arts Centre at Cedar Hill saanich.ca
Organizer
Saanich Parks and Recreation, Island Illustrators Society and Morris Dancers
Morris Dancers: There are three different Morris Dance groups in Victoria, each with their own style from different regions of England. Morris dance has been done in Europe since the 15th century and even earlier; the name Morris is thought to have originated as “Moorish”. Some sides black their faces, originally as a disguise for farm workers who did not want to be recognized. We dance to celebrate an ancient custom, to bring good luck and fertility to all, and to wake up the energy in the earth, especially every year on May Day (May 1st) when we are up at dawn to “dance up the sun”. In January we “Wassail” the local apple orchards with cider and song and dance, to ensure good crops in the coming year. We practice every week year-round and perform at least once a month; passing the hat and going for a beer after each performance is part of the tradition!
Working in partnership with the community, Saanich Parks and Recreation creates opportunities for enrichment that support health and well-being through arts and culture and other activities. In Saanich, Community Services and The Arts Centre at Cedar Hill have teamed up to help support Culture Days. The Island Illustrators Society has collaborated this year to host an exhibition and community art project at the Arts Centre. Island Illustrators fosters interest in the art of illustration.
This event is part of a hub:
Saanich Culture Days
Cedar Hill Recreation and Arts Centre, Saanich Parks and Recreation Victoria (Saanich), BCSaanich Parks and Recreation and the Island Illustrators Society have teamed up along with community arts and cultural groups to celebrate Culture Days, a national celebration of arts and culture! Join us at the Cedar Hill Recreation and Ar...