Author: Steven Mansfield

Fremantle Frolic a great success

Visitors from New Zealand, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart and Adelaide made the journey to Perth for the 2023 Australian Morris Ale which was held in Fremantle.  Visitors and a number of keen locals were accommodated in the iconic Fremantle YHA which is the UNESCO Heritage listed Fremantle Prison.  The dance outs and the Feast night were all within walking distance of the YHA,  The exception was the “Extension Tour” which involved a bus trip to the Swan Valley.  To see the itinerary see – Ale Itinerary Rev 3

For some photos – see photos.

2023 Australian Morris Ale Group Photo

Ale excitement and more!

The 2023 Australian Morris Ale will be held in Fremantle from 22nd to the 24th of September with an extension tour to the Swan Valley on the 25th.  Seventy people have registered for the Ale with Thirty seven coming from the Eastern States and also New Zealand.  Visitors and some locals are staying at the iconic YHA located in the World Heritage listed Fremantle Prison.  Some of the events are strictly for those who have registered but the general public can see the dancing near Walyalup Koort from 2 to 3:45 PM on the Saturday, near Cicerello’s from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM on the Sunday and at Bathers Beach Reserve from 2 to 3:30 PM on the Sunday.  Click on the link below to see the Itinerary.

Ale Itinerary

We are grateful to the other Perth Morris sides and individuals who have donated in order to keep the costs down.  In addition the City of Fremantle has waived Venue Hire fees for Walyalup Koort and Bathers Beach Reserve.

In other news Marlee Morris are dancing at Balingup again.  Photos from previous time can be seem here – Photos.

We have also been keeping up regular Market appearances and danced for the Australia Britain Society at the end of July.

Come and Try It and more!

It has been busy lately with York Heritage Festival, May Day, and Moondyne Festival.  We have also had another Market gig in June before a busy July with the following events:

May Day coming up soon

It has been and continues to be a busy year.

It was great to get a new dancer from the recent Come and Try It.  On the day there were five newcomers who gave it a go.  

At the time of writing we have performed twice at Mount Claremont Farmers Markets and our new dancer made her first appearance at Boorloo Heritage Festival.

In the near future we have the York Heritage Festival, May Day and Moondyne Festival to look forward to.

A busy year ahead

We are having a Come and Try It event on February 26th.  If you fancy something new please come and join our merry bunch for a fun morning.  Any questions, please contact Steve on 0400 731 049 or via email marleemorris@morris.org.au 

It is shaping up to be a very busy year ahead for Marlee Morris.  Celebrating Buddha’s Birthday, Boorloo Festival, York Heritage Festival, Moondyne Festival and an Australian Morris Ale.

Come and Try It Sunday 26th of June

Marlee Morris are having a Come and Try It morning on the 26th of June.

What could be better on a cold Winters morning than to do some dancing with a friendly group of dancers and musicians whilst at the same time keeping an old tradition alive.  There are many well documented benefits of dancing for physical, mental and social well being.  For example, see this news item for the results of some research regarding dancing lowering the risk of heart disease – Dancing and Heart Disease 

“Muddle of Morris” has this advice as to why you should become a Morris Dancer – Ten reasons to join a Morris side

So the facts:

9 AM 26th of June

Seaward Guide Hall, Monash Ave., Nedlands (adjacent to Hollywood Primary School) – see Come and Try It for more details.

For a downloadable flyer – CATI 2022

Moondyne and MayDay mayhem and a couple gigs coming up

We (Marlee Morris) had a busy day on the 1st of May.  We helped the Perth Morris Men “dance up the Sun” at Kings Park – see photos.  After Breakfast, we went up to perform at Moondyne Festival.  See photos.

Coming up in the next month we will be dancing at Mt Claremont Farmers Markets on the 11th of June and dancing at Cottesloe (between Barchetta and Blue Duck) on the 18th of June with the Fair Maids and others.  For some photos of the last dance out with the Maids – see photos.

 

Interesting start to 2022

Unfortunately due to the difficulties of coping with the changes brought about by Covid,  Fairbridge Festival decided to cancel for this year.

At this stage Moondyne Festival is still planning on going ahead and if so we will be performing there.  

It will be a busy day since we will be joining Perth Morris Men and others in dancing up the Sun at Kaarta Gar-up lookout in Kings Park.