About Renegade Rose
Renegade Rose was founded in 2002 as a mixed side concentrating on the dance traditions from the villages of Adderbury, Litchfield, Bampton and Fieldtown in England's Cotswolds. We’re not stuffy though -- Renegade Rose also performs newly developed dances. Our motto is “fun dances danced to good music.” Like many Morris sides, Renegade Rosers also enjoy singing traditional English songs and modern folk tunes.
We are ably assisted by a musical team playing accordion, concertina, mandolin, and whistle and the occasional drum. Several of our musicians are also dancers.
We practice once a week, on Thursday evenings, and usually perform formally 4-5 times a year usually outdoors at fairs, festivals and other events where performance or street theatre would be appreciated. You´ll find us at farmers' markets, folk festivals, fairs, and many organized and informal events in support of arts and culture around the city.
Like most arts, Morris dancing has its own vocabulary and processes. The Wikipedia pages on Morris dancing are also helpful.
Frequently Asked Questions
Morris Dancing is....
An age-old tradition
A dance style done in teams
An ancient fertility rite
A way to burn off calories
A way to have fun in good companionship
Maybe all of these!
Is it hard?
As in “is it difficult”? Like any dancing it takes some time to coordinate the steps, hand movements, and position. Morris can be fairly aerobic but not as hard as hip-hop for instance.
Do you ever get whacked with those sticks?
Of course, but not too often. Only when we’re not careful.
Is it pagan?
No one knows for sure. In fact, no one knows how old the dance is. But Shakespeare mentions Morris dancing and it was considered old even in his day. One of his players, Will Kemp, was a renowned “Morryce Dancer.”
Is it “family friendly?”
Renegade Rose dancers span the ages from teens to adults. We welcome anyone who can focus on dancing for two hours straight (the length of our practices) and don’t mind the occasional bawdy joke. Participating teenagers must be accompanied by a participating adult.
Can I come try it?
Of course. Contact us by phone 503.860.6611 or by .
Can I hire Renegade Rose for my (party, corporate event, wedding, etc.)
Absolutely. Call us: 503.860.6611 or by
Morris Trivia:
The expression “nine days wonder” is linked to the dance through Will Kemp’s feat of dancing from London to Norwich in 9 days.
Morris sides from all over will gather occasionally for a dance festival, called an ale, where lots of the named substance is drunk.
Morris was an endangered dance style until Cecil Sharp began recording dances in England in the early 1900’s.