Hemlock Morris
- Dance into the Dark...
Summer Solstice, 21st June 2011
Well, Hemlock have done a great many things in our (relatively) short life, but this year we hosted our first Summer Solstice dance out, and what a fantastic night it was!
What had started out as a relatively unplanned, low-key event was met with great enthusiasm and support from the villagers of Willington, the Landlord and Lady of The Crown public house, our good friends Aldbury Morris Men who joined us for the evening, and of course, the loyal Hemlock supporters who travelled from far and wide to celebrate Midsummer with us.
As always, it was a real spectacle to see two full sides dancing together accompanied by an impressive band of musicians, followed by songs and tunes that continued late into the night. The Hemlock Players also made their second public appearance, with their interpretation of 'John Barleycorn' - check out the pictures added to the gallery!
We have a few weeks off now, but come mid-July we're back again with a number of Bedford-based performances - visit the Diary page for more details.
Don't forget to keep an eye on our very active Facebook page... and expect to be able to follow Hemlock on Twitter very soon....
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from the weird and wonderful world of hemlock morris ...
Hemlock Update, 19th July 2011
There was much dancing and merriment on the village green in Toddington last Thursday! As always, Hemlock had great fun with Redborne Stoke, Ampthill Lace and a host of other fantastic sides on 'The Toddington Tour'. We were also lucky enough to get some great new videos. Check them out on the video page now!
Trouble keeping up with all the Hemlock excitement?! Follow us on Twitter for regular gig updates: @HemlockMorris
The Castle Quay Weekender - Bedford Town Centre - 19th March 2011
Thank you to the great number of people who came to watch us in the glorious sunshine, was a lovely day for it, hope eveyone enjoyed themselves, we know Hemlock did!
We would like to say a massive thank you to the organisers of this event; it was a huge success and we were very grateful to have been involved. Be sure to visit their website to look at all the photos and videos from the event (some more of which we hope to have up on our site very soon). As always, it is great to see good things happening in Bedford, and to see local people coming out to support such events - it was certainly the biggest crowd we have dance to since the River Festival. Well done Bedford. http://wearebedford.co.uk/
Next Gig - St George's Day, Saturday 23rd April. Keep an eye on the diary page for details.
No Rest for the Wicked! - 6th March 2011
Greetings Hemlock fans! You will be pleased to know that the diary page has been updated... and we already have dates booked right up to Boxing Day 2011. Some of them are provisional at the moment, but details will follow shortly as to when and where we are playing throughout the year. We're especially looking forward to sharing Bedfordshire Lace's 30th Anniversary weekend with them in June, and of course supporting the Rhythm Festival again as they move to their new venue at Old Warden Park, Beds.
Further website updates to follow shortly, so watch this space!
HEMLOCK VIDEO GOES LIVE! - 25th October 2010
Brought to you by The Bedford Times & Citizen and beautifully filmed by Natalee Hazelwood, we are delight to present a special insight into the weird and wonderful world of Hemlock Morris. They don't come much darker than Hemlock... Visit the 'Video' page now to see our very own 'Morris Movie'!
Day of The Dancing Dead 2010 - 31st October, 2010
Another brilliant day of dance was had by all on our 'Day of the Dancing Dead' that took place around Bedford. Even the October rain couldn't dampen our spirits as Hemlock continued to amaze, enlighten and in some cases terrify the people of Bedford whilst bringing Morris to the masses. Many thanks to all at The Gordon Arms, Laura and Bev at The Bedford Arms, and Pete Burridge of Bedford Esquires for their support.
What's next? Well, we've actually got a nice quiet November... plenty of time to practise a few new dances ready for December dance outs! The diary page will be updated with the details as they become available, but Hemlock are looking forward to dancing with the Witchmen on 19th December, and then blowing away the Christmas cobwebs and dancing off the over-indulgence of the season with a Boxing Day dance out on Boxing Day.
LOOK OUT!
New photos on the gallery page! If you missed us at Halloween check out the pics now, as well as some from performances and some private functions during the Summer. Enjoy!
Autumn is Upon Us! Halloween Here We Come... - 24th October 2010
What a lovely day we had at Harrold & Odell Country Park today, and didn't we take the good weather with us?! (well, we certainly took the warm Autumn sunshine, but could perhaps have done without that coooold wind that blew up every so often... but we're not complaining, Morris dancing in the rain is no fun for anyone!) A fantastic example of 'A Living Landscape' indeed.
"So, what's new?" you ask; well, check out the Gallery page for some new photo additions, in particular those from the Bedford extravaganza 'Dance 4 All' courtesy of John Routledge (cheers John!) where Hemlock Morris can be seen represent the art of Morris Dancing alongside the other awesome performers all celebrating their chosen art form.
Don't forget folks, it's nearly Halloween! After the fun we had last year, Hemlock with be parading through the streets of Bedford celebrating their annual 'Day of the Dancing Dead'! Be afraid, be VERY afraid... Visit the Diary page to find out more!
Wow! What a Summer! Thanks to everyone who supported us at our various festival performances, and thank you to everyone who has contacted us via the website or facebook. Still, no rest for the wicked, three more performances booked for October! Visit the diary page now for more details...
May Day - As a wise woman once said, "It's basically Christmas for Morris Dancers!!" - 1st May 2010
What a difference a year makes…2009 saw Hemlock take it’s first timid steps onto the stage of public performance in the form of four dancers dancing dances designed for six and in desperate need of recruits. Oh how we pondered the ‘should we, shouldn’t we dance’ question – well we did and how proud we were! Twelve months on and May 1st was looming at a rapid rate. This time we were ‘willing’ it to arrive in the manner of small children waiting for Christmas…this time with a side 10 strong, full kit, full face paint and full of confidence. We arrived looking like a ‘scouting party’ of ancients emerging from the forest canopy, silhouetted against the dawn sky. No timid footsteps, rather a bold march from the peak of Ampthill Park’s escarpment down to the assembled gathering at Katherine’s Cross. At the invitation of Redbornstoke MM and Bedfordshire Lace, we arrived led by a dancer carrying the most beautiful May garland, hoisted aloft with a hazel staff. The sound of bells as we descended was complimented by a bitter sweet tune played on the melodeon. The flurry of photographers was an indication of the spectacle we had created. In a ‘turn for turn’ routine we took our place and danced. What started out as a chilly, damp grey morning turned into a bright May morning with the sun installing us with all the hope and optimism that is associated with this significant day. A big thank you to the other sides for sharing their May morning with us.
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