Crook Morris Wassail Day 2015 Rapper Dance.mp3

Crook Morris Wassail Day 2015 * Rapper Dance
The Rapper sword dance (also known as the "Short Sword" dance) is a variation of sword dance that emerged from the pit villages of Tyneside in North East England, where miners first performed the tradition.
The Rappers being a flexible sword with a handle at each end. For most of the dance the swords are held above the dancers heads while they weave intricate patterns at high speed. The dance begins with five men, but often the fool characters, the Tommy and Betty, will join in before the end.

The dance has transformed as it moved into the twenty-first century, the pace has quickened and is performed at around 100–160 beats per minute, with different team styles using different rates. It should nonetheless be performed in a smooth and graceful manner, with one figure flowing seamlessly into the next. A number of acrobatic figures can be employed, including forward and backward somersaults over swords.

In modern times the competitive element of rapper sword dancing has been revived in the form of the DERT (Dancing England Rapper Tournament) competition.

Grateful thanks to Crook Morris