portlandmorris.org Portland Oregon Morris Dancing, Renegade Rose Wild Rose Garland, Iron Mt. Sword

Welcome! portlandmorris.org is the collective name of all the morris and related dance sides currently active in Portland, Oregon.

Morris dancing encompasses several very different dance styles that originated in England many hundreds of years ago. Their commonality lies in the celebratory and ritual nature of the dances performed. Whether used to welcome in the new year, solstices, harvests, celebrate a wedding or simply the end of the working week, morris dancing has been an important part of community celebrations throughout England for centuries.

Morris dancing in all its forms is alive and well in Portland, Oregon where local teams practice and celebrate not just traditional festivals but important local events such as May Day, The Rose Festival and Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Portland morris teams are members of the Country Song and Dance Society USA

Dick Lewis accompanying dancing at the PSU Farmers Market

Follow the link to the contacts page that will take you to more info if you would like to join, or to contact us to dance for events. Music can be provided to accompany weddings and other festivities.

May Day 2006
Join us in the Portland Rose Test Gardens for May Day, Maypole dancing and perfomances by Portland morris, sword, and garland:

5:30 AM Abbott Bromley
5:59 AM-7:15AM May Day sunrise dancing rain or shine
Bridgetown Morris Men, Iron Mountain Sword, Renegade Rose Morris, Wild Rose Garland

Special thanks to
Lloyd, the Green Man, to Hugo Glanville and everyone else who planned May day events this year.

Morris, garland, and sword dancers at Cascade Locks May Day 2005

Portland Morris 2005 at Cascade Locks in the Columbia River Gorge.

Last updated: August 14, 2006