Take a partner to the terraces

Press, 9 February 1983, Page 25

Take a partner to the terraces

The Christchurch Town Hall's "Thank Goodness It's Friday" summer entertainment programme enters its third week with the appearance this Friday, at noon, of the Erewhon Morris and Sword Dancers. The dance group has its origins in an ancient ritual dance originally performed by the men in the villages of the English Cotswolds. Traditionally the Morris is a fertility dance and is performed at certain times of the year; the white handkerchief denoting purity, the sticks clashed to clear away

impurities, and the bells to frighten away evil spirits. The sword dance recently introduced into the group's repertoire has similar origins to the Morris. At 1 p.m. the terraces will resound to the sounds of the “Spanish Waltz," the “Moonlight Saunter." and the “Islington Sway." as couples from the Christchurch Old Time Dance Association entertain. Spectators will be invited to take part in the dances, and tutors will be available from among the association's members. Music will be provided by

the club's four-piece band, which includes a husband and wife team who have been band members for 27 years. The evening's entertainment will get underway at 6.30 p.m. when the New Brighton Silver Band performs. The band, originally known as the Marine Band and then the Municipal Band, will celebrate its centenary next year. At 7.30 p.ni., Christchurch's well-known “Cathedral Squares” will perform. This square and round dance club was formed in 1966 by Blanche and Art Shepherd.