Upsc'Ale The 2009 California Morris Ale Presented by Seabright Morris and Sword

Mass Dances : Abram Morris Dance

Any even number of dancers can take part. Dancers carry a white handkerchief in each hand; they stand in a circle, facing the center, numbering round counter clockwise, so that odd numbers are on the left of their partners and even numbers on the right. The group is usually centered around a Maypole, a tree, a nuptial couple, someone being honored, etc.

Figures use either a walking step with the two arms swung in opposition forward and back alternately (i.e. the left hand is swung forward as a step is taken with the right foot and vice versa), or a relaxed single Morris step with both hands thrown up at the same time on the up-beat (count "&") prior to count 1 of bar 1 of the melody (i.e. at the end of the previous melody). Generally the figures alternate between those using walking and those using single Morris steps. Always begin by stepping onto right foot on count 1 of the melody.

A relaxed dance. Arm swings are made with a very loose arm, about waist height; steps are gentle.

A	1-8	Walking step; begin with right foot. Dancers, making a quarter turn to the left, move round in a circle, clockwise, in couples with even numbers on the right of their partners (i.e. inside). Evens try to catch up and be next to partner within about 4 steps. 16 walks, total. On the last beat of the last bar, face partner (even numbers with backs to the center); on count "&", throw both hands up overhead.
B	1-4	Using 8 single steps, partners dance back-to-back passing right shoulders, throwing both hands up overhead on the last "&" count.
	5-8	Using 8 single steps, partners dance back-to-back passing left shoulders. (Do not throw hands up at end.)
C	1-4	Walking step. Couples move round clockwise as in A 1 - 4 for 6 walks; on the 7th walk swing left arm higher than usual (straight overhead) as you execute a 180 degree pivot turn on right foot (both dancers clockwise, toward the Maypole); the 8th walk is forward around the circle in the counter-clockwise direction while the left arm swings down in front of you and the right arm swings forward as usual. [As seen from the outside, the left arm makes a complete circle in space; the dancer may see their left arm swinging forward and up to the top, then forward and down to the bottom, ending behind them. Perspective is everything!]
	5-8	Couples move round counter-clockwise (even numbers still on the inside, i.e. on the left of their partners) using 8 walking steps. On the last beat of the last bar, face partner (even numbers with backs to the center).
D	1-2	Partners face and stand still. The right hand is swung round in a big circle in the plane in front of the body, counter-clockwise, starting from the outward and upward direction ("one-o'clock"). In the second bar, as the hand is lowered, partners make a slight obeisance to each other.  (Imagine writing a huge script "" in front of you.)
	3-4	Repeat as above, swinging the left hand round in a clockwise direction (starting from "eleven o'clock"). Throw both hands up overhead on the last "&" count.
E	1-4	Using 8 single steps, dancers move once round in a small circle, clockwise (almost a turn single) to end facing their partners. They throw up both hands overhead on the last "&" count. There are no other hand movements.
	5-8	As above, but making a one-and-a-quarter turn, counter-clockwise, so that odd numbers finish facing clockwise and even numbers counter-clockwise (each has right shoulder toward partner).
F	1-16	32 walking steps. In concentric circles, odd numbers move clockwise around the outside of the circle, while even numbers move counter-clockwise immediately inside the others. As the end of the musical phrase approaches (after about 20-26 steps), even numbers begin to move outward and arrange to enter the outer circle alternating between two odd numbers. Dancers finish in ring formation, facing the center. All throw up both hands on the last "&" count.
G	1-8	Using 16 single steps, all move slowly forward toward the center (arms in low "balance" position); all throw up both hands on the last "&" count.
	9-16	Using 16 single steps, dancers fall back from the center (arms in low "balance" position).

Above movements are then all repeated. In the final bar, as the dancers have retired from the center, they pause as the hands are swung up on the first beat, and on the second beat they are swung with a gentle but decisive movement, down and out, to shoulder level. This forms a ring of not quite touching dancers, which is held still for a few counts to end the dance.

Need more info?  Visit us here at http://TheCaliforniaAle.info/2009