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 Easter Tour
Sunday, April 20, 2025
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.
The Gilbertsville Tour
Saturday, April 27 and Sunday, April 28, 2025
Once again we will join the somber Binghamton Morris Men and guests for a tour of upstate New York, based at the historic Major’s Inn.
Mayday
Thursday, May 1, 2025
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 24 and Sunday, May 25, 2025
Multiple teams gather for dancing in Marlboro, Brattleboro, and Newfane in Vermont, this marks the 50th Ale which will be bigger and better than ever.
Dancing at Carver Hill Orchard.
Dancing at dawn in Harvard Square.
The traditional start of the Newtowne touring season.
Our first West Coast trip, hosted by Mossyback Morris with Bridgetown Morris.
Dancing in Marlboro, Brattleboro, and Newfane in Vermont.
Dancing at dawn in Harvard Square.
Touring upstate New York with the unexampled Binghamton Morris Men, the jaunty Bouwerie Boys Morris, and some team from Canada.
Dancing in Marlboro, Brattleboro, and Newfane in Vermont.
Dancing at dawn in Harvard Square.
The traditional start of the Newtowne touring season.
Fully vaccinated dawn gathering.
Socially distant Mayday.
Dancing at dawn in Harvard Square.
Touring upstate New York with the provocative Binghamton Morris Men, the kick-ass Bouwerie Boys Morris, and some team from Canada.
The traditional start of the Newtowne touring season.
Dancing at dawn in Harvard Square.
Touring upstate New York with the enlightened Binghamton Morris Men, the metropolitan Bouwerie Boys Morris, and some team from Canada.
The traditional start of the Newtowne touring season.
Not all who wander are lost, some are at the Sudz.
Dancing in Marlboro, Brattleboro, and Newfane in Vermont.
At Cambridge Common with the ancient Pinewoods Morris Men.
Dancing at dawn in Harvard Square.
Touring upstate New York with the auspicious Binghamton Morris Men, the daring Bouwerie Boys Morris, and some team from Canada.
The traditional start of the Newtowne touring season.
The team helps wake up the earth at an event sponsored by the Topsfield Garden Club.
Dancing at dawn in Harvard Square.
The traditional start of the Newtowne touring season.
Touring upstate New York with the humble Binghamton Morris Men, the intrepid Bouwerie Boys Morris, and some team from Canada.
Dancing at dawn in Harvard Square.
The traditional start of the Newtowne touring season.
Dancing at dawn in Harvard Square.
The traditional start of the Newtowne touring season.
Touring our nation’s capital with Foggy Bottom Morris.
Dancing at dawn in Harvard Square.
The traditional start of the Newtowne touring season.
Wandering about the hills and valleys of western Connecticut.
Dancing in Marlboro, Brattleboro, and Newfane in Vermont.
Touring Boston with our special guests Foggy Bottom Morris.
Dancing at dawn in Harvard Square.
Touring upstate New York with the admirable Binghamton Morris Men, the dapper Bouwerie Boys Morris, and some team from Canada.
The traditional start of the Newtowne touring season.
Wandering about the hills and valleys of western Connecticut.
Dancing in Marlboro, Brattleboro, and Newfane in Vermont.
The annual celebration of the blooming lilacs at Arnold Arboretum, Boston.
Dancing at dawn in Harvard Square.
Touring upstate New York with the admirable Binghamton Morris Men and some team from Canada.
Wandering about the hills and valleys of western Connecticut.
The annual celebration of the blooming lilacs at Arnold Arboretum, Boston.
Dancing at dawn in Harvard Square.
A return engagement at the New England Folk Festival.
Touring upstate New York with the exquisite Binghamton Morris Men and some team from Canada.
Touring our nation’s capital with Foggy Bottom Morris.
The traditional start of the Newtowne touring season.
Dancing in Marlboro, Brattleboro, and Newfane in Vermont.
The annual celebration of the blooming lilacs at Arnold Arboretum, Boston.
Dancing at dawn in Harvard Square.
Touring upstate New York with the admirable Binghamton Morris Men and some team from Canada.
The traditional start of the Newtowne touring season.
Dancing in Marlboro, Brattleboro, and Newfane in Vermont.
Dancing at dawn in Harvard Square.
The traditional start of the Newtowne touring season.
Dancing at dawn in Harvard Square.
Dancing at the relocated New England Folk Festival.
The traditional start of the Newtowne touring season.
Dancing in the courtyard at the New England Folk Festival.
The traditional start of the Newtowne touring season.
The tradtional bad-weather tour.
Dancing at dawn in Harvard Square.
The traditional start of the Newtowne touring season.
It was indeed the best Sudz ever!
Dancing at dawn in Harvard Square.
Out on tour at the Sudz and at Nashoba Valley Winery for the Fall Tour with Ha’penny.
Dancing at dawn in Harvard Square.
Dancing at dawn in Harvard Square.
The year it rained.
Dancing at dawn in Harvard Square.
The traditional start of the Newtowne touring season.
Our thanks to the Commonwealth Morris Men for an excellent fall day.
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.
Set the Way-Back Machine for a time when the team wore beribboned vests and photographs were stored on small bits of plastic.