This page is intended to help a venue owner or manager better understand what space requirements are needed by the American Travelling Morrice to give a successful performance.
A morris dance typically consists of a set of six or so dancers and several musicians. Morris music is played using unamplified instruments such as violin, melodeon (button accordion), concertina or the traditional pairing of 3-hole pipe and tabor drum. A dance performance consists of four to seven dances, each averaging three to four minutes long. The entire performance lasts 20 to 30 minutes.
Our YouTube channel has a collection of recent performance videos.
What is the American Travelling Morrice looking for in a dance location?
- Space: 15 feet x 25 feet is good, although we can dance in slightly smaller spaces. We try to dance close to our audience and avoid stages and raised platforms.
- We prefer to dance outdoors, although an indoor space could be considered, and might be very welcome in inclement weather.
- Overhead clearance: roughly eight feet, preferably a bit more.
- Ground: these energetic dances require good footing – asphalt or concrete are usually best. Paving stones or wooden decks/floors can work, if they are even.
- Time: 20 – 30 minutes during the daytime or early evening.
- Traffic: a reasonable distance from automobile noise, but close to any pedestrian traffic.
What would the American Travelling Morrice need from you?
- Your organization’s name: this will be used for publicity (online, poster, handouts).
- Your address: an accurate street address is essential so that we and our audience can find you.
- Speaking of publicity, if you have a mailing list and are willing to help us this way, we can provide ready-to-distribute publicity materials.
- Permission to collect (optional): we don’t charge for our performances, but we like to pass the hat. This lets us talk with the audience and gives them a way to thank the dancers.