UPPER VALLEY (VT/NH) MORRIS AND SWORD DANCERS

GREEN MOUNTAIN MORRIS DANCERS

A young men's team performing Morris & Longsword dances from England and Europe since 1998

MAPLE LEAF MORRIS DANCERS

A young women's (sometimes mixed) team performing Morris & Longsword dances from England since 2002

RARE EARTH RAPPER DANCERS

A new teenage team performing Rapper Sword dances from England since 2016.

CATAMOUNT MORRIS DANCERS

A mixed kids team performing Morris & Sword dances from England since 2011

Morris dancing is an energetic stick clashing, bell ringing, handkerchief flashing dance form, ideal for the energy of youth. It is a living dance tradition with roots that go back to ancient England; the lively movements are said not only to please audiences, but as a springtime dance, to awaken the earth. The Green Mountain Morris, Maple Leaf Morris, and Catamount Morris are based in Norwich, Vermont, USA.

Catamount Morris (tween boys and girls, 9 and up)

Catamount Morris is a new team for 9-12 year olds, coached by Chris Levey and Barbara DeFelice. Our first gig was under the name "Maple Buds" in the Revels North Christmas Revels 2011, where eight kids performed along with eight teens from Maple Leaf Morris. We also danced the sun up on May Day, and performed in Boston at the Ginger Ale, and finally as part of the Revels Solstice Festival in Norwich VT. Come join the fun! We practice on Tuesday early evenings at the Marion Cross School in Norwich Vermont.

Maple Leaf Morris (teenagers)

Maple Leaf Morris (and two Green Mountain Morris boys) perform Binghamton Stick dance at NEFFA 2010 (YouTube) and dance the sun up in Thetford (YouTube)
Revels 2006 Opening Night: Sandy Boys Sword (with GMM) (.mov (2M) or .avi (1M))
Marlboro Ale 2004, 2005 Videos by Tony Barrand: Upton in the Round, Banbury Bill, Constant Billy, Beware Oh Take Care, Flamborough Sword, and Bus Stop. Or, click here on "Cotswold Morris teams" and then "Maple Leaf Morris" (requires RealOne Player).

Green Mountain Morris (teenage boys)

Green Mountain Morris is a young men's side, performing primarily the Beldington tradition from 1997 through 2009, and reforming in 2016 with Rapper Sword dancing added to our repertoire.

We practice on Tuesday early evenings at the Marion Cross School in Norwich Vermont.

Rare Earth Rapper (teenage boys and girls)

Rare Earth Rapper is a group of teenagers who perform English Rapper Sword dancing. The team is made up primarily of members of Maple Leaf and Green Mountain morris, and was founded in 2016.

2018 Practice Schedule for Tuesday Evenings

5:30-6:15 Catamount Morris (nominally 9-12 year olds)
6:20-7:20 Teen Morris - Maple Leaf and Green Mountain
7:30-8:15 Teen Rapper Sword Dancing - Rare Earth Rapper

Performance Schedule 2018

April 22 (Sunday) Rare Earth Rapper (@10AM) and Maple Leaf/GMM (@noon) at NEFFA (committed)
May 1 (Tuesday) we always dance the sun up in Thetford on May 1 (committed)
May 12 (Saturday) Gingerale kids morris dancing tour in Boston (invited)
May 19 OR 20 Revels Pancake Breakfast in Post Mills (invited - see below)
May 26 (Saturday) Open Fields Medieval Festival (11-4) on THetford Hill (invited)
June 23 and 24 Summer Revels in Pomfret and Norwich (invited - see below)

Combined Maple Leaf and Green Mtn:

Clashing Fionn dance written for Revels North 2009 Christmas Revels.

Green Mountain Morris (teen men)

Movie Clips and Photos:

Revels 2006 Opening Night: Sandy Boys Sword (with MLM) (.mov (2M) or .avi (1M))
Marlboro Ale 2004, 2005 Videos by Tony Barrand: Black Joke (GMM version), Young Collins (GMM sticking), Deck the Hall, and Black Joke (6) Or, click here on "Cotswold Morris teams" and then "Green Mountain Morris (boys)" (requires RealOne Player).
Our youngest musician (32k photo)
Deck the Hall 5MB Quicktime Movie (Revels, December 2002)
NEFFA 2002 photos
Portuguese Stick Dance VIDEOs (Revels December 2001)
NEFFA 2001 VIDEO CLIP by Eva Behrens; (4MB QT or 9MB AVI file)
2001 Marlboro Ale Leapers VIDEO CLIP (1.5MB QuickTime) by Barbara DeFelice (also available larger screen 3.7MB QuickTime version and a smaller screen 4.4MB AVI file) . Also 2001 Marlboro Ale photo composite (117kB) by Barbara DeFelice
Marlboro Ale 2001 Videos by Tony Barrand: Black Joke (4), Just Another Saturday Night, and Glorishears Finale (require Real One player).
NEFFA 2001 photos by Allison Cleland
NEFFA 2001 photos by Deb Lewis of MOTley Morris

Our Own Choreography:

GMM Calusarii (commissioned for Revels North 2005, based on the Romanian Calusarii)
Upton in the Round (commissioned for Revels North 2004, loosely based on Chingsford/Upton stick dance)
Saturday Night Billy (commissioned for Revels North 2003)
Deck the Hall (commissioned for Revels North 2002) movie (5MB Quicktime)
Just Another Saturday Night
Glorishears Finale
Black Label (9M .mp4 movie), a very unusual morris dance to the Lamb of God tune "Black Label", complete with motorcycle entrance, NEFFA 2008. Recording behind amp/speakers, where guitar is hard to hear.

Catamount Performance History

Performance Schedule 2017

Not documented. Essentially the same as 2016 excluding Marlboro.

Performance Schedule 2016

April 16, Sunday. NEFFA folk festival near Boston. We perform at the Main Entrance, 3:00-4:00pm along with Pocket Flyers (rapper) and Red Herring (border).
May 1, Friday. Dance at sunrise on May Day, as we do every year, on the Thetford VT village green. 5:15-7:00AM (optional breakfast to follow).
May 14, Saturday. Ginger Ale tour with other kids morris teams on the Boston Waterfront.Saturday early May. We will likely attend the Ginger Ale again date TBA.
May 21, Saturday. Catamount only: Balloon Festival, Post Mills, Dance during Summer Revels kick-off and pancake breakfast.
May 22, Sunday. MLM/GMM/Rapper only: Balloon Festival, Post Mills, Dance during Summer Revels kick-off and pancake breakfast.
May 28, Saturday. Catamount only: Open Fields Medieval Festival, Thetford Hill
May 28, Saturday. MLM only: Marlboro Morris Ale
June 18, Saturday. Summer Revels Solfest. Evening, details TBA. Rehearsal Friday evening.
SUMMER BREAK JULY, AUGUST, SEPTEMBER (practice starts up 1st Tues in October)

2015

April 26, Sunday. NEFFA folk festival near Boston. Mansfield, MA, Main Entrance, 3:00-4:00pm along with Pocket Flyers (rapper) and Red Herring (border).

May 1, Friday. Dance sunrise on May Day, as we do every year, on the Thetford VT village green. 5:15-7:00AM

May 9, Saturday. Ginger Ale tour with other kids morris teams on the Boston Waterfront.Saturday early May. We will likely attend the Ginger Ale again date TBA.

May 16, Saturday. Balloon Festival, Post Mills, Dance during Summer Revels kick-off and pancake breakfast. Video Clip of dancing.

May 23, Saturday. Open Fields Medieval Festival, Thetford Hill.

June 20, Saturday. Summer Revels Solfest. Roving pre-performance 5:30-7, Skirmishes dance during 7PM show by Catamount and Maple Leaf, with 3 sets of 6 dancers.

2014

Saturday April 26, New England Folk Festival Association (NEFFA), Mansfield, MA, Main Entrance, noon-1pm, with Vineyard Swordfish and Canterbury Morris
Thursday May 1, Dance for the sunrise on the Thetford VT village green.
Saturday May 10, Ginger Ale, Boston performance tour with other kids teams. Dance from Columbus Park to Children's Museum.
Sunday May 18, Breakfast Dance for Balloon Launch, Experimental Balloon and Airship Meet (>30 hot air balloons!), Post Mills, VT.
Saturday May 24, Open Fields Medieval Fest on the Thetford VT village green. Video Clip
Saturday June 21, Revels Solfest in Norwich, 6pm-dark.
Saturday September 26, Morris Workshop for all at Revels 40th celebration in Hanover NH. video clip
December, Christmas Revels, Catamount and Maple Leaf open the show with the Chingsford/Upton stick dance.

2013

Sunday April 21, Main Entrance, 2:00pm to 3:00pm, with Newtowne Morris Men, Rapport D'or, Catamount Morris
Wednesday, May 1, sunrise on the Thetford VT village green.
Saturday May 11. Ginger Ale.
Friday, June 21, Revels Solfest in Norwich, 6pm-dark.

2012

Not documented. Included: Ginger Ale May 12, 2012, Solfest, and a NEFFA dance in the MLM slot.

2011

Christmas Revels (December 2011)

Green Mountain Morris Performance History

Winter/Spring 2016:

Ginger Ale
Summer Revels

Performances Winter/Spring 2009:

March 28: Invited Performers for Tony Barrand Lifetime Achievement Award, 12:30-5pm, Brattleboro VT.
April 26 (Sunday) NEFFA, Noon performance, Mansfield MA. (MLM performance is 11AM).
May 1: Mayday Friday 5:30AM, Thetford VT, Thetford Hill Common, Dancing the sun up.
May 10: Lilac Sunday morris dancing).
May 23: Local tour plus top secret Guerrilla Morris event
June 20: Revels Solfest.

Performances Winter/Spring 2008:

December 13-16, 2007: (6 shows) Christmas Revels, Hanover, NH [a sword dance from the Shetland Island of Papa Stour, with added choreography to integrate the transformation of Finnish mythical queen Louhi]
March 29, 2008: Sword Extraordinaire(participation by some only).
April 25, 2008: New England Folk Festival (NEFFA) Perform Saturday 3-4pm at the main entrance.
May 1, 2008: (Mayday) Thursday 5:30AM, Thetford VT, Thetford Hill Common, Dancing the sun up.
May 17: Ginger Ale,Boston MA(NOTE: later date than in previous years. Workshops 10AM-noon, dance Boston Common, Revere Park, Harborside Park in afternoon, dinner, show, sharing until 8pm)
June 21, 2008: 5pm-dark: Summer Solstice Festival (Revels), Norwich VT
December 18-21, 2008: (6 shows) Christmas Revels, Hanover, NH [sword dance from Ampleforth].

Performances Winter/Spring 2007:

December 14-17, 2006: (6 shows) Christmas Revels, Hanover, NH [Sandy Boys, a clog sword dance by Judy Erickson]
April 22, 2006: New England Folk Festival (NEFFA) Perform Sunday 1-2pm at the main entrance.
May 1, 2007: (Mayday) Tuesday 5:30AM, Thetford VT, Thetford Hill Common, Dancing the sun up.
May 5, 2007: Ginger Ale,Boston MA (workshops 10AM-noon, dance Boston Common, Revere Park, Harborside Park in afternoon, dinner, show, sharing until 8pm)
May ? 2007: Marion Cross School, Norwich VT.
May 25-26, 2007:Marlboro Morris Ale, Marlboro MA.
June 23, 2007: 5pm-dark: Summer Solstice Festival (Revels), Norwich VT

Performances Winter/Spring 2006:

December 15-18, 2005: (6 shows) Christmas Revels, Hanover, NH [choreography based on a traditional Romanian men's dance, the Calusarii].
April 22, 2006: New England Folk Festival (NEFFA)
May 1, 2006: (Mayday) 5:30AM, Thetford VT, Thetford Hill Common, Dancing the sun up.
May 6, 2006: Ginger Ale,Boston MA
May 16 2006: Hanover High School Senior's Concert, Richmond School, Hanover NH
May 18 2006: Marion Cross School, Norwich VT.
May 23 2006: Dartmouth Child Care Center, Hanover NH.
May 26-27, 2006:Marlboro Morris Ale, Marlboro MA (Glorisheers).
June 17, 2006: 5pm-dark: Summer Solstice Festival (Revels), Norwich VT

Performances Winter/Spring 2005:

December 16-19, 2004: (6 shows) Christmas Revels, Hanover, NH [new choreography based on Chingsford/Upton on Severn for 18 dancers in the round (Green Mountain and Maple Leaf Morris).
April 9, 2005: New England Folk Festival (NEFFA) 5pm in the Courtyard with Candyrapper and Bassett St. Hounds.
April 25, 2005: possible performance with Pokrovsky's Russian folk troupe, Hanover NH.
May 1, 2005: (Mayday) 5:30AM, Thetford VT, Thetford Hill Common, Dancing the sun up.
May 7, 2005: Ginger Ale, Boston MA
May 27-28, 2005: Marlboro Morris Ale, Marlboro MA.
June 18, 2005 5pm-dark: Summer Solstice Festival (Revels), Norwich VT

Performances Winter/Spring 2004:

December 18-21, 2003: (6 shows) Christmas Revels, Hanover, NH [new choreography building to 18 dancers (Green Mountain and Maple Leaf Morris), based on Saturday Night, Glorishears, and Constant Billy]
April 24, 2004: New England Folk Festival (NEFFA)
May 1, 2004: (Mayday) 5:30AM, Thetford VT, Thetford Hill Common, Dancing the sun up.
May 8, 2004: Ginger Ale, Boston MA
May 22, 2004: Marion Cross May Festival, Norwich VT.
May 29, 2004: Marlboro Morris Ale, Marlboro MA.
June 5, 2004: Riverfest, Wilder, VT. (story)
June 19, 2004: Summer Solstice Festival (Revels), Norwich VT

Performances Winter/Spring 2003:

December 12-15, 2002: (6 shows) Christmas Revels, Hanover, NH [new choreography to tune Deck the Hall]
April 27, 2003: New England Folk Festival (NEFFA)
May 1, 2003: (Mayday) 5:30AM, Thetford VT, Thetford Hill Common, Dancing the sun up.
May 3, 2003: Ginger Ale, Concord MA (Earthday parade and festival)
May 17, 2003: Peterboro NH tour with Harrisville Morris and Jack in the Green Morris, and Mapleleaf Morris. Hancock Farmers' Market, Peterborough Children and the Arts festival.
May 22, 2003: Marion Cross May Festival, Norwich VT.
June 21, 2003: Summer Solstice Festival (Revels), Norwich VT

Performances Winter/Spring 2002:

December 20-23, 2001: (6 shows) The Christmas Revels, Hanover, NH [Portuguese stick dance]
April 20, 2002: New England Folk Festival (NEFFA) (2 performances-courtyard and auditorium) (photos)
May 1, 2002: (Mayday) 5:30AM, Thetford VT, Town Green, Dancing the sun up.
May 7, 2002: Ginger Ale, Boston MA (Waterfront Park, Quincey Market)
June 21, 2002: Summer Solstice Festival (Revels), Norwich VT
December 12-15, 2002 (6 shows): The Christmas Revels, Hanover, NH

Performances Spring 2001:

April 22 New England Folk Festival, Natick MA
May 1 (Mayday) 5:15AM Thetford VT, Town Green, Dancing the sun up.
May 25-27 Marlboro VT, Marlboro Morris Ale
June 1, Marion Cross School, Norwich, VT
June 21, 23, 24, Revels Fair, Lyme NH, Norwich VT, Woodstock VT.

Performances Spring 2000:

March 18 Revels Gala, Collis, Dartmouth College, Hanover NH
April 15 New England Folk Festival, Natick MA.
May 1 (Mayday) 5:45AM, Thetford VT, Town Green, Dancing the sun up.
May 7, Ginger Ale, Boston MA (Waterfront Park, Quincey Market)
May 21, St. Mary's School Festival in Claremont (with Harrisville and Jack in the Green).
May 21, gorilla morris (no telling where they've been).
June 22, Summer Revels, Lyme NH
June 24, Summer Revels, Norwich VT
June 25, Summer Revels, Woodstock VT

Performances Winter/Spring 1998

December 19-21 (5 shows) Christmas Revels, Spalding Auditorium, Hanover, NH VIDEO CLIP (1MB QuickTime; also available as a 1.5MB AVI file)
April 26 Noon New England Folk Festival, Natick MA
May 16 1PM Upper Valley Waldorf May Festival PHOTOS (on website)
June 7 12:30-5 Ginger Ale, a gathering of youth morris teams (downtown Boston)
July 16-19 6:30 Summer Revels, Lyme, Norwich, Grantham, and Woodstock

Leader/Contact person: Chris Levey, Chris.Levey[AT]dartmouth.edu, 566 Sanborn Rd., Thetford Center, VT 05075

Short URL for this youth morris site: http://tinyurl.com/LeveyMorris

For information on other Morris teams in the USA, see this directory of Morris Web sites.