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CanalCuttings Your free online-world British Inland Waterways, Narrowboat, River Cruiser, Canal Boat Magazine, Info Source and Britain's & Narrowoat Holiday Guide.Information and features about canals and their usage - We're not just a Narrowboat Magazine. The website includes River and Inland Waterways information.Leicester's "One Passion - One Leicester - One Rhythm" Rhythm Dance Festival - May to October 2008'Bringing the Streets of Leicester City Centre to Life' is the slogan of Leicester's "One Passion, One Leicester, One Rhythm" programme of themed events and performances.
The morning of Monday the 5th of May found us in the Castle Park Gardens at 11.00 to witness a traditional maypole dance. The history of the maypole dancing in Leicester has its history well before the Long Parliament of 1644 banned it as "a Heathenish vanity, generally abused to superstition and wickedness". The Earl of Huntingdon in 1603 was furious to discover that his estates had been the source of the maypoles used in Leicester town. Today maypole dances are often done without dividing the participants by gender, simply having them in pairs facing one another, so half go one way and half go the other, weaving the ribbon around the maypole.
To find out more about all One Rhythm Dance Festival Events visit: www.oneleicester.com/one-rhythm Music supplied by The Jerusalem Jammers
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We were lucky enough to be in Leicester City for the May Bank Holiday weekend
to see the start of the city's celebrations of the completion of the multi-million
pound refurbishment of Leicester City Centre.
The maypole is a tall birch, maple or hawthorn (may) wooden pole, usually
erected in a prominent public place, with several (equal numbered) long coloured
ribbons suspended from two hoops at the top. The maypole may be festooned with
flowers or draped in greenery, depending on local tradition. What is often thought
of as the "traditional" English maypole is a shorter, plainer version
of the Scandinavian pole with ribbons tied at the top and hanging to the ground.
This is a relatively recent development of the tradition and is probably derived
from picturesque, dances performed during 19th century theatrical performances.
It is usually this shorter, plainer maypole that people perform dances around,
weaving the ribbons in and out to create striking patterns.| Advertising space - use contact us to make enquiries | Boat builders, Boat Hire and Chandlers & AssociationsGet your details listed in our Directory Drop us an email providing the details you would like entered into the directory or alternatively write using the address details below. You do not need to have a website to get listed. |