Hounds in the News
- 2003
- "Just Plain Folkdancing"
by Lauren Ober,
Syracuse New Times (April 2, 2003) - In contrast to our fast-paced society, Morris dancing provides its
participants the opportunity to slow down and experience a simpler time. With
roots in medieval England, Morris dancing has persevered and weathered the
ages. It has survived the minuet, the foxtrot and the twist, and is alive and
well in Syracuse. Imagine taking a half-dozen friends to Clinton Square with a
tin whistle, an accordion and a spat of sleigh bells strapped on their
shins.
- 2002
- "Ban the Dancers",
Letters to the editor,
Daily Telegraph (March 13; March 8; and March 7, 2002) - Morris dancers have, in the past, been persecuted not merely
because they look funny and skip, but because they were also, during a
darker period of our history, hunted with dogs by Puritan zealots,
because of their association with pagan ritual. This association is
also clear in the fact that New York State's finest morris dancers
are called the Bassett Street Hounds and host an annual event called
the Dogs Day Ale.
- 1999
- "May Day! May Day!"
by Allen Czelusniak,
Syracuse New Times (May 1, 1999) - As a full moon slowly set over the Carrier Dome and the spring
sun emerged from the eastern horizon, approximately 100 people watched
a parade of dancers circle the Thornden Park water tower at the 17th
annual May Day celebration. The event, held appropriately at dawn on
May 1, bid a fanciful farewell to winter and hello to spring.
- 1998
- "Midsummer's Daydream"
by Catie O'Toole,
Syracuse Post Standard (August 6, 1998) - Sounds of howling creatures muzzled more than 30 people Saturday
in the Children's Garden next to the Liverpool Public Library.
The dancers ran into the garden wearing flowered hats, cloth rags and
jingle bells. They chose eight people from the audience to dance to an
English ritual with them. [Mike] Miller even promised the guests that
it was harmless. The first time Morris dancer John Piston saw the
group perform at the May Day celebration at Thornden Park in Syracuse,
he immediately knew that was something he wanted to do, too.
[Story removed at request of the paper.] - 1996
- "May Day's made for Morris mania"
by Gary Gerew,
Syracuse Herald Journal (May 1, 1996) - One more sign that winter does leave Syracuse, eventually, came
today with the jangle of bells and twirl of ribboned dancers near the
water tower at Thornden Park. The annual May Day celebration of Morris
dancing got under way at 6 a.m. with the formal "Winter Processional."
It marks the arrival of celebrants who have gathered there for the
past 15 years to symbolically put the snow and cold underfoot.
[Story removed at request of the paper.]