Morris Dancing at CRF

**KiltedTrooper** · 5th February 12, 08:50 AM

One of my many hobbies (this one is a paid hobby at least) is Morris dancing at the Carolina Renaissance Festival. Here are just a few examples.

**Alan H** · 7th February 12, 03:31 PM

The last pic, especially is cool. Very cool... Mask and antlers. It's uabashedly theatrical and I like it.

**O'Callaghan** · 7th February 12, 04:05 PM

I've never seen Morris dancing in a kilt before. It's an English tradition. Here's a good video of a Morris 'side' (i.e. group) performing in the old country:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoLExQ893HI

Note the flag in one guy's hat is an English (not British) flag.

And yes, I'm English (but Irish on my mother's side), and I have done Morris dancing myself. I think that's one activity for which I would definitely not wear the kilt.

**KiltedTrooper** · 7th February 12, 04:21 PM

I danced in the kilt during our Celtic Weekend a few years ago. All the girls in the side and festival management demanded I keep doing it. Lol. I haven't run into any issues wearing the kilt while doing it.

**Jimmy** · 7th February 12, 04:33 PM

very cool and exciting

**O'Callaghan** · 7th February 12, 04:43 PM

Originally Posted by KiltedTrooper

I danced in the kilt during our Celtic Weekend a few years ago. All the girls in the side and festival management demanded I keep doing it. Lol. I haven't run into any issues wearing the kilt while doing it.

Well, anything goes at RenFest, right? It just seems to me like an odd pastiche of English and Scots culture, that's all. If there are people who show up as trekkies (so I'm told) then I suppose you can do an English dance dressed as a Scot. It's not like most Americans would have any clue that this is what they are seeing.

That said, there is a variant of Morris in the North of England, towards the Scottish border, called 'wrapper' that has some resemblance to Scottish sword dancing. I am a Southerner, though (from Southern England with Southern Irish blood, no less), and the video I linked is from the South of England.

**KiltedTrooper** · 7th February 12, 04:48 PM

Originally Posted by O'Callaghan

Well, anything goes at RenFest, right? It just seems to me like an odd pastiche of English and Scots culture, that's all. If there are people who show up as trekkies (so I'm told) then I suppose you can do an English dance dressed as a Scot. It's not like most Americans would have any clue that this is what they are seeing.

That said, there is a variant of Morris in the North of England, towards the Scottish border, called 'wrapper' that has some resemblance to Scottish sword dancing. I am a Southerner, though (from Southern England with Southern Irish blood, no less), and the video I linked is from the South of England.

It is all in fun, man.

**Nick the DSM** · 7th February 12, 05:29 PM

I think I saw you at CRF the past year. I was at the opening weekend.

Great pics.

**KiltedTrooper** · 7th February 12, 05:42 PM

That was us. Queen's Capers Morris has been there since the very first year of CRF. We are only getting bigger as we go. We actually start practicing this weekend.