Pokingbrook Morris Dancers are a community dance group dedicated to bringing the living dance traditions of England to New York’s Capital District. The team has been dancing since 1974. The June 14 events are our 50th Anniversary Celebration. “Morris” refers to traditional display dance forms from England. Display dance is a performance rather than a social experience.

Cotswold morris comes from villages near Oxford, where records indicate it existed in Chaucer’s day. Each village had its own style of dancing and costume. The combination of bells on the ankles and the use of both hankies and sticks is typical of the Cotswold style.

Border morris comes from the borderlands between England and Wales, though again modern teams have made it their own. The Border dances are rowdy, involving much clashing of sticks. Border costume includes rag-coats and sometimes face paint and exuberant hats.

Garland dancing originated in the North of England mill towns, where country folk began working in the new factories, bringing there beautiful traditions with them. Along with the decorated hoops, our garland dancers may also use sticks.

All three types of dances will be performed on June 14th. This is a free event; donations to the team happily accepted to help keep these dance traditions alive. NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED.