The Newtowne Morris Men

Rosette

The Newtowne Morris Men have been performing traditional Morris dances from the rustic Cotswold hills of England since 1977. These dances are performed every spring in order to ensure good luck and a bountiful harvest for the coming year, and are associated with the tradition of the Maypole. Our preferred touring venues are the streets and greens of the local New England cities and towns, retiring after an energetic set of lively dances to a local pub for a round and a few songs.

We encourage everyone to experience this ancient tradition. Feel free to contact us for up-to-date information on our tour schedule. If you live in the Greater Boston area and are interested in taking part in the Morris, we are actively seeking new dancers of any skill level to join our merry band; we practice once a week on Monday evenings in Medford.

The Men 2022

Spring 2024 Tours

The Easter Tour

Sunday, March 31, 2024

The traditional opening of the touring season. The team performs outside the Emmanuel Church on Newbury Street starting shortly after noon, then proceeds to Copley Square and finishes the tour in the Public Gardens.

NEFFA

Saturday, April 20, 2024

The Newts will make a rare appearance at the New England Folk Festival, performing at 11 AM in Marlborough, MA.

The Gilbertsville Tour

Saturday, April 27 and Sunday, April 28, 2024

Once again we will join the debonair Binghamton Morris Men and guests for a tour of upstate New York, based at the historic Major’s Inn.

Mayday

Wednesday, May 1, 2024

Celebrate the return of Spring on the banks of the Charles River at dawn (yes, when the sun comes up) with Morris dancing, Maypole winding, and traditional Mayday songs. Join us at the Weeks Footbridge near Harvard Square.

Marlboro Morris Ale

Saturday, May 25 and Sunday, May 26, 2024

Multiple teams gather for dancing in Marlboro, Brattleboro, and Newfane in Vermont.

Past Tours

Easter 2024

The traditional start of the Newtowne touring season.

Whidbey Island 2023

Our first West Coast trip, hosted by Mossyback Morris with Bridgetown Morris.

Marlboro Morris Ale 2023

Dancing in Marlboro, Brattleboro, and Newfane in Vermont.

Mayday 2023

Dancing at dawn in Harvard Square.

Gilbertsville 2023

Touring upstate New York with the unexampled Binghamton Morris Men, the jaunty Bouwerie Boys Morris, and some team from Canada.

Marlboro Morris Ale 2022

Dancing in Marlboro, Brattleboro, and Newfane in Vermont.

Mayday 2022

Dancing at dawn in Harvard Square.

Easter 2022

The traditional start of the Newtowne touring season.

Mayday 2021

Fully vaccinated dawn gathering.

Mayday 2020

Socially distant Mayday.

The Men 2017

Mayday 2019

Dancing at dawn in Harvard Square.

Gilbertsville 2019

Touring upstate New York with the provocative Binghamton Morris Men, the kick-ass Bouwerie Boys Morris, and some team from Canada.

Easter 2019

The traditional start of the Newtowne touring season.

Mayday 2018

Dancing at dawn in Harvard Square.

Gilbertsville 2018

Touring upstate New York with the enlightened Binghamton Morris Men, the metropolitan Bouwerie Boys Morris, and some team from Canada.

Easter 2018

The traditional start of the Newtowne touring season.

Sudz 2017

Not all who wander are lost, some are at the Sudz.

Marlboro Morris Ale 2017

Dancing in Marlboro, Brattleboro, and Newfane in Vermont.

Pinewoods 2017

At Cambridge Common with the ancient Pinewoods Morris Men.

Mayday 2017

Dancing at dawn in Harvard Square.

Gilbertsville 2017

Touring upstate New York with the auspicious Binghamton Morris Men, the daring Bouwerie Boys Morris, and some team from Canada.

The Easter Tour 2017

The traditional start of the Newtowne touring season.

Grow Spring! Expo 2017

The team helps wake up the earth at an event sponsored by the Topsfield Garden Club.

The Men 2015

Mayday 2016

Dancing at dawn in Harvard Square.

The Easter Tour 2016

The traditional start of the Newtowne touring season.

Gilbertsville 2015

Touring upstate New York with the humble Binghamton Morris Men, the intrepid Bouwerie Boys Morris, and some team from Canada.

Mayday 2015

Dancing at dawn in Harvard Square.

The Easter Tour 2015

The traditional start of the Newtowne touring season.

The Men 2011

Mayday 2014

Dancing at dawn in Harvard Square.

The Easter Tour 2014

The traditional start of the Newtowne touring season.

The Cherry Blossom Tour 2014

Touring our nation’s capital with Foggy Bottom Morris.

Mayday 2013

Dancing at dawn in Harvard Square.

The Easter Tour 2013

The traditional start of the Newtowne touring season.

Sudz 2012

Wandering about the hills and valleys of western Connecticut.

Marlboro Morris Ale 2012

Dancing in Marlboro, Brattleboro, and Newfane in Vermont.

The May Tour 2012

Touring Boston with our special guests Foggy Bottom Morris.

Mayday 2012

Dancing at dawn in Harvard Square.

Gilbertsville 2012

Touring upstate New York with the admirable Binghamton Morris Men, the dapper Bouwerie Boys Morris, and some team from Canada.

The Easter Tour 2012

The traditional start of the Newtowne touring season.

Sudz 2011

Wandering about the hills and valleys of western Connecticut.

Marlboro Morris Ale 2011

Dancing in Marlboro, Brattleboro, and Newfane in Vermont.

Lilac Sunday 2011

The annual celebration of the blooming lilacs at Arnold Arboretum, Boston.

Mayday 2011

Dancing at dawn in Harvard Square.

Gilbertsville 2011

Touring upstate New York with the admirable Binghamton Morris Men and some team from Canada.

The Men 2009

Sudz 2010

Wandering about the hills and valleys of western Connecticut.

Lilac Sunday 2010

The annual celebration of the blooming lilacs at Arnold Arboretum, Boston.

Mayday 2010

Dancing at dawn in Harvard Square.

NEFFA 2010

A return engagement at the New England Folk Festival.

Gilbertsville 2010

Touring upstate New York with the exquisite Binghamton Morris Men and some team from Canada.

The Cherry Blossom Tour 2010

Touring our nation’s capital with Foggy Bottom Morris.

The Easter Tour 2010

The traditional start of the Newtowne touring season.

Marlboro Morris Ale 2009

Dancing in Marlboro, Brattleboro, and Newfane in Vermont.

Lilac Sunday 2009

The annual celebration of the blooming lilacs at Arnold Arboretum, Boston.

Mayday 2009

Dancing at dawn in Harvard Square.

Gilbertsville 2009

Touring upstate New York with the admirable Binghamton Morris Men and some team from Canada.

The Easter Tour 2009

The traditional start of the Newtowne touring season.

Marlboro Morris Ale 2008

Dancing in Marlboro, Brattleboro, and Newfane in Vermont.

Mayday 2008

Dancing at dawn in Harvard Square.

The Easter Tour 2008

The traditional start of the Newtowne touring season.

Mayday 2007

Dancing at dawn in Harvard Square.

NEFFA 2007

Dancing at the relocated New England Folk Festival.

The Easter Tour 2007

The traditional start of the Newtowne touring season.

The Men 2005

NEFFA 2005

Dancing in the courtyard at the New England Folk Festival.

The Easter Tour 2005

The traditional start of the Newtowne touring season.

Thunderstorm Tour 2004

The tradtional bad-weather tour.

Mayday 2004

Dancing at dawn in Harvard Square.

The Easter Tour 2004

The traditional start of the Newtowne touring season.

Sudz 2003

It was indeed the best Sudz ever!

Mayday 2003

Dancing at dawn in Harvard Square.

Sudz and Fall Tour 2002

Out on tour at the Sudz and at Nashoba Valley Winery for the Fall Tour with Ha’penny.

Mayday 2002

Dancing at dawn in Harvard Square.

Mayday 2001

Dancing at dawn in Harvard Square.

The Easter Tour 2000

The year it rained.

Mayday 1998

Dancing at dawn in Harvard Square.

The Easter Tour 1998

The traditional start of the Newtowne touring season.

The Men 1997

Fall Tour 1997

Our thanks to the Commonwealth Morris Men for an excellent fall day.

England 1992

A couple of shots from our visit to Merry Olde England.

Amble on Down Stick Dance 1991

The Amble on Down Morris Men from Merry Old England perform their unique Stick Dance at the Marlboro Morris Ale.

Amble on Down Hankie Dance 1991

The Amble on Down Morris Men from far-off Amble on Down perform their equally unique Hankie Dance at the Marlboro Morris Ale.

South Dartmouth 1983

Set the Way-Back Machine for a time when the team wore beribboned vests and photographs were stored on small bits of plastic.