Maypoles and Morris Dancers

By Tim posted Tuesday, May 3, 2011, 6:43 pm

CUUPs celebrated Beltane on a beautiful, warm spring day. We got into the playful energy of Beltane with a flirty scarf dance. Of course, after all that playfulness, we needed a King and Queen to lead our springtime revelry. This year’s May King and Queen were…

King Bill and Queen Christine

Bill Stoker and Christine Hernandez. All hail Bill and Christine!

Then we all participated in the traditional Maypole dance. Allan Block provided musical accompaniment as we wove the Maypole “up and down, in and out.”

A beautiful Maypole is even better with musical accompaniment

During our picnic we were treated to something special. Rising Phoenix Morris, a Morris dancing troupe out of Santa Monica, came and put on a show for us. They performed traditional May Day sword and scarf dances for us and really put an exclamation point on a wonderful Beltane.

Dancers from Rising Phoenix Morris added to the fun

After lunch, games ensued. Beltane isn’t complete without a game of “weenie in the bottle,” and Brenda won with this excellent move.

Brenda knows what to do with a good weenie

Thanks to Christine Hernandez for organizing, Brenda Titus for building the Maypole, Allan Block for the music, Rising Phoenix Morris for being awesome, and Debbie Siegfried for picnic games and prizes.

Our Midsummer ritual will be just as great. Rayna Hamre is bringing back her Summer Solstice Ritual. This celebration of the sun, music, and Earth, will be in the sanctuary on June 18. Join us then for an evening of earth-centered fun!