Foot percussion
So, recently I’ve been reading all the advice out there about branding and using my blog as a marketing tool, creating an online persona and so forth. Well, after much careful thought, I have finally come to some conclusion about what to do in that regard. And my conclusion is this: “Sod it. It’s my own blog and I’m going to post what I like on it, whether that’s relevant to my writing or not.”
In that vein, is this the coolest thing ever, or is it only around number #4.5 in the list?
BBC News – Is clog dancing making a comeback?
I love the idea of flash mobs of clog dancers invading Newcastle. Also the shock and awe on the faces of the onlookers 🙂
The commentary is very good too, pinpointing the reason why I’m such a Morris convert – because all of these forms of folk dance/folk music are things that you can do yourself. You don’t have to be a mere consumer, passively waiting for the big media corporations to offer you entertainment at a price. You can make your own fun. I like knowing that if film and TV went away, I’d be self-sufficient for entertainment.
We had a lovely time dancing at the Mill Road Christmas Fair last weekend, though the weather was extremely bitter. I must have spoken to at least five people who were in England on holiday and said “this is very interesting, because we have something very much like this at home.” I wasn’t surprised by the Spanish one – after all, Morris dancing was imported from Spain in the first place, and I remembered Wulfila saying that it’s in Germany too, but I was intrigued by the lady who said it reminded her of Dandia Raas. Particularly as Morris also evolved from a circular form. I wonder if there’s a connection there as well, or if it’s just a case of parallel development? At any rate, it’s nice to think of ourselves as being part of a world tradition of folk dance that modernity tried to stop, and failed.
I could definitely see my morris side dancing this one
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_Fo71BmdUk&feature=related
if only we were all a lot younger and fitter. This is us, by comparison, middle aged but not letting that stop us:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbEmByrstUw&feature=related
