Dance Out Events

'Dance out' or 'Dancing Out' are the expressions we use for Morris dancing at events such as Village Fetes, Festivals and at Public houses.

The usual Rampant Rooster Morris dance out event season is the summer (May to Sept) but this can be flexible. The first Morris dance out event of the new season has traditionally been and often still is 1st May, although many Sides including Roosters may often choose to dance out on St Georges’ Day (23rd April)

- generally Roosters have Morris dance out events every week, often on Tuesday evenings as this is `Rooster night’ and people are usually free. The evening can, however, vary according to Rooster agreement and whether we choose to dance with other Sides on `their’ night

- weekly Morris dance out events are normally at pre-arranged traditional village pubs in local areas; this is decided when the programme is formulated early in the year. Sometimes we dance by ourselves, sometimes with other Sides (much more fun!) either as their guests or inviting them to join us

- invitations to Morris dance out events at festivals, Days of Dance (or Ales) and weekends are often debated and agreed to by the Side early in the year, dependent on the number/type of event and our availability. These more often happen over a weekend, either one/two days or a long weekend, and can involve camping for the w/end.

- some special events are done on an ad hoc basis - booked/paid stands such as birthdays, weddings; fetes etc are taken on as agreed on a majority basis

At all Morris dance out events, whether weekly or at weekends, we should aim to commit and stick to (as far as possible) the stands that the Side has agreed to do. Each of us is part of and supports the Side’s aims and commitments – without the support of all of us we let the Side down if we can’t put on a good performance or have to cancel a stand due to lack of numbers

Other Special Morris Dancing Events

- 1st May: Dawn Awakening (dance out – usually Box Hill)
- Stick Burning/Sunday dance out at Brockham Bonfire
- Boxing Day/New Year’s Day Mummers Play/dance out
- Wassail (6th January)
- Summer Solstice

Rampant Rooster Morris side dancing out at Brighton Morris Men day of dance 18th May 2008

We have a hugh variety of Morris dance out events to cater for everyone, be it a local pub, Day of Dance or week/weekend festival.