Common Folk Collective
WORDS BY LOWRI JONES
On Saturday my almost-two-year-old and I ambled upon a performance.
Intrigued by the pagan colours and choreography, we watched in awe from The Rows as Wirral-based ‘Common Folk Collective’ morris danced on the cobbles in berets and perfectly broken in Dr Martens. They incorporated swords, sticks, hankies, bells and ribbons and their energy and charisma was infectious.
The collective explores local folk culture, alternative histories and community arts and aims to recover and reimagine folk to make folk art and culture radical, inclusive and relevant. I love the idea that a new wave of unexpected enthusiasts are putting their own stamp on a form that celebrates a tradition connecting us to history, the seasons and landscape that could well have been lost in the mist of time.
Pure joy.
