Sunday 23 July 2017

Dancing in the street


Not having TV or social media folk had to make their own entertainment in the old days. In Yorkshire and North East England they came up with this, it's called rapper sword dancing. It involves five dancers, five double handed steel blades and a guy on the pipes or maybe an accordion playing a catchy rhythm. They whirl around, leap over one another and weave to and fro never leaving go of the handles and trying not to decapitate themselves as they go. The dance ends with the blades intertwined in a star-like figure which is then held aloft as if the solution to all life's problems has been found. It is profoundly pointless and that I suppose is the point as, having made the star, they start all over again, always twirling, twirling, twirling ...

These guys were part of the three day Hull Folk and Maritime Festival which this year I managed to get to see part. There was folk singing on several stages. Not really my scene. I don't mind a bit of the Irish pipes, (Planxty and so on) but modern "folk songs" make me want to reach for the mute button. But then there were lots of folk dance groups doing their thing in various spots across town. Now somehow this appealed; the often bizarre costumes, the music: all good stuff. Below is a sample. 









And last but by no means least ...


Now this being Hull the city of culture as well as all these delights the BBC Proms was being broadcast from the stage in the dock and the UK Pride festival was being held in Queen's Gardens.  I could post about them now but I think I've gone on too long as it is...

6 comments:

  1. Nice photos of the traditional dancers.

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  2. Unusual attire, but irresistible for the photographer!

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  3. Very fun. I want to dance with swords. (Not really, but I'd love to see it done.)
    Sorry I haven't been around, I have a project with a deadline.

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    1. I sometimes wonder how many fingers were lost in practice.

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  4. Well I am please that you found something to enjoy in the Morris Dancing at the Hull Folk & Maritime Festival 2017.
    As the local and organising team we were pleased to get 21 team, nearly 300 telented musicians and energetic dancers. The people of Hull were some of the best audiences we have seen.

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    1. Organising all that must have been hard work but well worth it. Much appreciated by all the crowds. Thank you.

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