A women’s Morris dancing team that wears black and purple and only performs to tunes in a minor key is seeking recruits.
Sally Smith founded Medusa Gothic Morris, which regularly performs in and around Knaresborough, in 2005.
But numbers have dwindled, prompting Sally to issue an appeal for women to join.
Despite the exotic name, she insists anyone willing to give it a go isn’t signing up to a mystical cult. She said:
“We are definitely not goths — we haven’t got lots of piercings or anything like that.
“We adopted the colours just because I just like wearing black and purple and wanted to adopt a gothic, pre-Raphaelite style.
“I wanted the dances to be very flowing and feminine that women of any age can do.”
Sally, who is also a member of Harrogate women’s Morris dancing team Betty Lupton’s Ladle Laikers, said numbers had dwindled to about half a dozen, plus musicians, and urged people to have a go.
No experience is necessary as training is given at practice evenings, which are in Knaresborough on a Thursday evening.
For more details, call Sally on 01423 868753 or email fellow dancer Amy at spolem@hotmail.com.
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Dance event in Ripley hopes to revive old Dales traditions
A dancing event will be held at Ripley Town Hall with the aim of reviving traditional music and dance of the Yorkshire Dales.
The evening is being hosted by The No Lazy Dancing Dance Band, which was formed specifically for the event. It aims to host regular dances within different communities afterwards.
Some of the traditional dances of the Dales include the Kendall Ghyll, the Huntsmans Chorus and Heel & Toe Polka.
The band will perform live folk music to accompany the dances and songs will be played for guests to enjoy in between dancing.
Guests can look forward to a variety of songs, including Buckden Feast, Swaledale Lasses and I’ll Get Wedded in my Auld Claes.
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People of all ages are welcome. The organisation said it would offer something “different from the digital world” for children.
No prior dancing experience is necessary. A caller will be present at the event to teach the steps, as well as prompting the dances throughout.
There will also be a bar for people to enjoy refreshments.
Mark Wallace, member of The No Lazy Dancing Dance Band, said:
“It’s a simple way of getting together and having a dance.
“A little like an old-time rave”.
The event will take place on Saturday 1 April from 6.30-10pm.
To reserve a space on the dance floor, guests can email nidd.music.and.dance@gmail.com or call 07714 939646.
Payment will be taken on the door.
Ripon children have the chance to take centre stageThe stage is set for children to enjoy the limelight by performing at Ripon’s Junior Showtime.
Launched by Jill Powell, who has vast experience of helping young people to realise their artistic potential, the event will take place at Ripon Bowling Club on Friday November 25, starting at 7.30pm.
Between now and September 30, prospective performers are invited to send a video of their planned performance to her at jillyannew@gmail.com
The video should be no longer than three minutes.
Ms Powell said the aim is to provide a platform for young singers, dancers, magicians, musicians, comedians and poets, aged between six and 14, to showcase their talent.
She said:
“We are looking for 15 children who are not currently members of a performing arts group, to come forward and build their confidence with a performance in front of a friendly audience of family and friends.
“The Mayor and Mayoress of Ripon, Councillor Sid and Mrs Linda Hawke, will also be in attendance.”
Ms Powell, who has run a performing arts school and been involved in musical theatre for many years, as an actor, producer and choreographer, added:
“I have worked with young people of all abilities and know that many of them don’t know just how talented they are, until they are given the opportunity to step onto a stage.”
Ripon Grammar School student Izzy Kirby has won a place at a leading musical theatre college.
The 16-year-old was among the youngest students to gain a place on the highly acclaimed three-year musical theatre course at SLP (Studios La Pointe) College in Leeds.
The course, equivalent to a higher education degree, usually attracts 18-year-olds who have already achieved a foundation course qualification in technique and performance.
Izzy, who will play the role of Babette in next month’s RGS production of Beauty and the Beast, has worked hard to reach the required entry level, beginning her training at The Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts in Darlington seven years ago.
For the past four years, she has attended Ripon’s Upstage Academy outside school and will play the starring role of Tracy in the performing arts school’s summer production of Hairspray.
Izzy, said:
“My first love is acting but I know that training as an all-round performer is crucial nowadays and a place at SLP will be a great grounding for a career in this industry.”
Her audition consisted of solo singing, dance classes and acting workshops.
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She was expecting to hear back two-weeks later, but received an email the next day offering her a place on the three-year diploma course.
Izzy, who is currently working towards her London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art grades 6, 7 and 8 acting qualifications, says her dream roles include Sophie in Mamma Mia, Velma in Chicago or the title role of Mary Poppins in the musical.
As well as receiving one-to-one singing lessons at SLP, she will have the opportunity to work with guest teachers, directors and choreographers.
Recent graduates have gone on to work in musicals including Wicked, Beautiful, The Lion King and Bat Out of Hell.
Ripon was given an insight into the festivities associated with Dawali at a special event in the city’s library this week.
The five-day Festival of Lights, whose principal day is today, is celebrated by millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains across the world.
Its focus is on new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil, and light over darkness.
Sarita McDermott, who owns Realitea, the Indian tea room and bistro on North Street, organised the event at the library with outreach librarian Claire Thompson.
She told the audience:
“Diwali is like Christmas in this country. People put on their best clothes, enjoy some lovely food, music and dancing.
“I wanted to show friends and other people in Ripon, the peaceful joy that this festival brings.”
Sarita McDermott leads the dancing.
Among those joining in the celebrations was a team of dancers from Jennyruth Workshops who wore traditional Indian dress.
They had been practicing for a month prior to their performance, which included dancing to music from the Punjab and the Gujarat region as well as Bollywood-style dance.
Following the display, there was an opportunity for the performers and members of the audience to enjoy some authentic Dawali dishes and treats.
Ms Thompson said:
“We had planned to stage an event of this nature for some time and I’m delighted that it has now happened and gone so well.”
Pictured: Claire Thompson (left) and Sarita McDermott, with Jennyruth dancers (from left) Matthew, Bethany and Ben Evason and Martin Grainger
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