29 December 2008 - 3 January 2009

The New Zealand Morris Tour in Tasmania 2009.

Morris Dancing? What's that? If you are out and about over the New Year you can find out. Be ready for some colourful, fun and energetic dancing by somewhat eccentric people. Our local Morris dancers will be joined by almost 100 others and families from aorund Australia and New Zealand for the first ever Annual New Zealand Morris Tour to be held outside of New Zealand.

Morris dancing is an old English tradition dating back to the fifteenth century. Now there are teams all over the world including such diverse places as Hong Kong and Finland. Australia has about fifteen teams, two of whom are in Tasmania, the Jolly Hatters in Hobart and the Longford Morris Dancers in Launceston.

The sounds of live music will be heard in the streets, along with the clashing of sticks, the ringing of bells, the shouts and all the fun of this ancient celebration. The Morris dancers have chosen the Tasmanian Devil as the theme for their tour, donating any money raised from busking to the Devil Island Project. Through their dancing they will be helping to conserve our precious wildlife.

The north of the state was chosen to give the Kiwis a real taste of TAasmania. They'll be dancing around Chudleigh, Mole Creek, Beauty Point, Beaconsfield, Devonport, Latrobe, Sheffield and Longford over six days (not all at once!) from 29th December to 3rd January, so there is plenty of opportunity to catch up with this fun bunch of characters.

Program

Monday 29th December 2008

Chudleigh Honey Farm shop 10.15 am to 11.30 am

Mole Creek Pub 12.00 noon to 1.00 pm

Trowunna Wildlife Park Mole Creek 2.30 pm to 4.00 pm

Tuesday 30th December 2008

Beauty Point on wharf outside Seahorse World and Platypus House 9.30 am to 12.30 pm

Miners' Reserve at Beaconsfield 2.00 pm to 3.00 pm

Wednesday 31st December 2008

Devonport Mall 9.40 am to 11.00 am

Don River Rail Yards 1.45 pm to 2.45 pm

Thursday 1st January 2009

Bell's Parade Latrobe 10.30 am to 12.00 noon

Gilbert Hotel 1.30 pm to 2.30 pm

D'Anvers Chocolate Factory 3.00 pm to 4.00 pm

Friday 2nd January 2009

Sheffield 9.30 Process from King George's Park to Information Centre and Mural Park. Dance from 10.00 am until 11.30 am

Village of Lower Crackpot. Dance outside from 1.30 pm to 2.30 pm. Dance inside at the village 3.30 pm to 4.20 pm

Saturday 3rd January 2009

Longford Village Green 11.30 am to 12.30 pm

Woolmers Historic Homestead 2.00 pm to 3.00 pm