NEW: VIDEO: Men of Houston Morris Dancers dance the St Arnold Polka
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Men of Houston (MoH) was
formed in 1977,
to play English folk music & perform morris stick and hanky dances.
Instruments include
melodian, guitar, fiddle, mandoline, tenor banjo, and bodhran. MoH is looking
for recruits! |
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They usually perform on
May Day, St Georges Day, and Boxing Day (26 Dec) at a local venue
(in the past these have
included the Mucky Duck and the Ale House).
They have played at The
Orange Show, Dickens on the Strand,
Old Town Spring, Houston Highland Games, SamFest 2001, Gathering of the Celts and busked on Fish Plaza, outside the Wortham Theatre.
Their rule of thumb is,
we will perform for whoever gives us beer !
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LINKS:
VIDEO: Men of Houston Morris Dancers dance the St Arnold Polka |
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“They strike up the
Devil's dance withall: then martch this heathen company towards the church and
churchyards, their pypers pyping, the drummers thundering, their stumpes
dancing, their belles jyngling, their handkercheefes fluttering about their
heads like madde men ...."
Philip Stubbes 'Anatomie of Abuses' 1583
WHAT is Morris Dancing? It is an ancient English custom, beloved and celebrated since before Shakespeare’s time, which ensures good luck and abundance for all. Today there are an estimated 12,000 Morris dancers in Britain, and perhaps as many again elsewhere in the English-speaking world. Our ancient and graceful dances bring joy and health, our music is lively, our mugs are always full, and women swoon when we perform.
WHO are the Men of Houston Morris Dancers? We are Brits and Americans from all walks of life who enjoy a good pint and a right good time. Since May of 1977 we have performed at venues as varied as the Houston International Festival and Galveston’s tall ship Elissa; from a Huntsville peach orchard to Houston’s Wortham Center. We perform the dances exactly as they were notated more than a century ago, in the white shirts and trousers, bells, ribbons and straw hats of that period.
Besides the dances themselves, a performance by the Men of Houston features the old Morris songs and tunes, played on traditional acoustic instruments such as melodeon, fiddle, banjo and penny whistle. We never perform to recorded music. Special occasions often feature the Men of
Houston Mummer’s Play starring St. George and the Turkish Knight, locked in a titanic struggle.
Although authentic, our dances and songs and play are lively and amusing- never stuffy. The show is as much fun for today’s audiences as it was for crowds in the time of Shakespeare himself.
WHY dance the Morris? We do it because it keeps an old and noble tradition alive. We do it because it makes the crops grow and spreads good cheer. We do it because we get to drink good beer free. We do it for the very joy of life itself. And the women swoon.
WHEN and WHERE can people experience the Men of Houston? Pretty much every Sunday from 5-7pm we can be seen dancing and singing at The Stag’s Head Pub 2128 Portsmouth St. Houston, TX 77098 (713) 521-2333. http://www.stagsheadpub.com/ The public is very welcome!
In 2007 The Men of Houston Morris Dancers celebrate our 30th anniversary as one of America’s longest-serving Morris sides. We will mark the event at our very supportive local, The Stag’s Head Pub 2128 Portsmouth St Houston, TX 77098 (713) 521-2333. The fun will run from 5-7pm on Sunday May 13, 2007, exactly thirty years to the day from our founding. The public is invited to share in the blessings our merrymaking bestows- good luck and prosperity for all.
Join us at for a right good time!
For booking or other information about the Men of Houston, please call Bill Galbraith at (713) 520-9920, or write to the Men of Houston at bg@houston.rr.com or PO Box 130152, Houston, TX 77219-0152.
RETURN TO SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING AND MORE
This page maintained by Dianna Shipman.
Page updated June 20, 2007
