Quote:
Originally Posted by Katcal
Someone on the radio was talking about that article and suggested that to survive, Morris dancing should be adapted to modern tunes, perhaps made popular by a novelty morris song released by one of those old X-factor kids... I think there's something to be said for that idea.
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A great quote, Kat. I love these 'pet' experts that appear on TV and radio with their mundane statements to solve all the world's problems.
Try choreographing a Viennese Waltz to the march tune Colonel Bogey and it simply doesn't work.
You either finish up with a Viennese March or the Colonel Bogey Waltz, neither of which is he same as the original.
I, for one, appreciate your support on that idea. Especially if it is approached from the opposite direction. It is a lot easier to adapt popular tunes to Morris dance steps. That is how the dance tradition has survived for the past 500 years.
A friend of mine who dances with a clog-Morris side regularly use a couple of songs from the 30's music hall and more recently performed a passable dance to an adaption of the Harry Potter theme.
It has always been happening. Most sides are striving to preserve the Dance by adapting the music to the traditional steps. Although, as I've already mentioned, their are some die-hard sides who insist the steps and tunes should not be changed.
I have found the real problem in recruiting people, is getting past the attitude of most youngsters under the age of eighteen who seem to think if they appear on the dance floor they have to be playing air-guitars and head butting innocent bystanders who approach to closely.
Just to add to the confusion... about five years ago, I made an enquiry to the Northern Arts Council for a small grant to take a side around local schools to promote folk music and dance. They immediately told me Morris dancing was a sport and they couldn't see how they could help. If we were all musicians or danced ballet or a similar recognized 'art form' they would have been more than happy to oblige. The Sports Council told me Morris dance was not a recognized sport and I should approach the Northern Arts Council as they did "that sort of thing" (?)!
To cut a long story short, I didn't even get past the switchboard of the Lottery Commission after being told by the nice lady she had seen Morris men performing at her village fete and it looked a stupid way to entertain people.
I reckon the problem is going to remain around , unsolved, for a bit longer.