Porlock Late Night Shopping with West Somerset Morris men dancing in the High Street and later in session at the Royal Oak, Porlock, UK with a look forward to Dunster by Candlelight

Audience getting involved in singing Christmas carols

It was Saturday night and I felt like going out and playing my soprano saxophone somewhere so I decided to pop down to Porlock Late Night Shopping and see what the West Somerset Morris Men were getting up to.

As always, when I arrived, the West Somerset Morris men  were really friendly and invited me to play with them in Porlock High Street and then in the session afterwards where they were singing carols in the Royal Oak pub, Porlock, West Somerset.

Ladies learning Morris dancing after pub session

We had a fantastic time. The carols sounded great and the tunes we played in between playing the carols rocked! The audience was absolutely amazing and very involved in the carols and music. By the end of the evening, there were at least four ladies who were learning Morris dancing steps.

As it happens, the West Somerset Morris Men are looking for new members but, although it is a much discussed topic among the West Somerset Morris Men as to whether ladies should be allowed into the West Somerset Morris dancing side. unfortunately, the decision has not yet been taken to include ladies. So these ladies who enjoyed learning the Morris dancing steps will have to wait a while, even if, in the cold light of dawn, they still want to take part in this very much specialised form of street entertainment that is Morris dancing.

Morris is about public involvement singing and making music

West Somerset Morris Men at Royal Oak, Porlock

Rob with the West Somerset Morris Men in session

However, if they were to pursue their interest in Morris dancing, they would find that they are joining a community of people that is country wide. Not only would they be involved in street performances but they would be part of a wider community of Morris members that visit folk music festivals all around the South of England, frequently camping together, and almost always spending time, when they are not practising their street entertainment, playing in pub sessions.

At some stage in the evening, I was invited to play in the West Somerset Morris Men's band next Saturday at Dunster by Candlelight and then afterwards in session at the Lysaght Club session in Old Cleeve, West Somerset ... This sounds like a great idea for next weekend ... So the fun goes on!

Whether you are a musician seeking a band to play in or a dancer who would like to join a dancing troupe, or just somebody who likes participating in street entertainment and live music as part of the audience, I would recommend you get involved in the Morris movement. It's loads of fun and actually, if you are a dancer  ... even if you have never tried Morris dancing ... it is very good exercise!

Checkout more photos of this evening on my Facebook account!

In any case, it looks as if I am to be more involved in the West Somerset Morris Men so, if you get involved and respond to their recruitment drive, perhaps I'll see you at one of their sessions or street performances in West Somerset or elsewhere in the West Country, UK. I look forward to that :-)