PERFORMANCE: Field System presents – A celebration of Beltane with the Valiant Mummers, Grimspound Border Morris and Newton Bushel Morris
Saturday May 2nd, 15:30, outside Field System Gallery and Ashburton Arts Centre – FREE
Starting off with the Valiant Mummers (our mystery guests) outside of Field System Gallery at 15:30 we will then be joined at 16:00 outside of Ashburton Arts Centre by the incredible (but slightly scary) Grimspound Border Morris side and the delightful (not really scary at all apart from the seagull) Newton Bushel Morris.
Grimspound are named after the ancient settlement on Dartmoor beneath Hameldown. Formed in 1994 as an all-male side, they were inspired by the rugged Dartmoor landscape, but also wanted to celebrate maleness, dancing with big sticks and a heavy, stomping style. Since then, Grimspound has since opened its doors to all genders and adopted a more light-footed approach (and a stray dancing bear) and do their best not to take themselves too seriously. They have a large repertoire of original dances, one of which (Tinner’s Rabbits) is now performed all over the world.
Founded in 1972, Newton Bushel Morris is a mixed Cotswold side from South Devon. Their ethos is to have fun and enjoy dancing outside in beautiful places. They have a broad repertoire of over 30 dances, mainly traditional Cotswold, from 9 different traditions – to keep them on their toes (literally). Their emblem is the Clock Tower in Newton Abbot of which Newton Bushel was once a district, (and they are joined by a naughty, bum pecking, dancing seagull!).
After the dancing (and maybe a drink!), sit down with folklorist and storyteller Crowmancrow at 5.30pm in Field System for Tor Lore and More Moor Tales, some weird and wonderful tales of tors and the moor. Expect brand new tellings of stories about UFOs, faeries, ley lines, alien big cats!
TICKETS: Mummers and Morris FREE no booking required
Tor Lore and More Moor Tales tickets are £5 and booking required
Photos: Grimspound Border Morris, Grimbear and Peck, Newton Bushel Morris