The Rapper Bible - Cecil J. Sharp, The Sword Dances of Northern England.
Heroes
Our members dance with the following teams, so I guess you can call them our hereos:
Sallyport,
Newcastle Kingsmen,
Stone Monkey,
Snark,
Triskele,
High Spen Blue Diamonds,
Lamb and Flag,
St Monday,
Durham University Rapper Team,
Crown Rapper,
Pengwyn,
Castle Keep,
Whip the Cat,
Star & Shadow,
North British.
About me: Smutt were formed at Whitby Folk Week 2006 by a young group of rapper tarts who couldn't get enough dancing during the week. After the good fun they had at Whitby, they held an AGM and decided to keep the dream alive. It was also decided they would focus on dances from specific traditions rather than making dances up because they are not inventive enough to do so and it would also provide an outlet for the more geeky members to do some research. Smutt dance Newbiggin, North Walbottle and Murton. Since their creation they have aquired several new dancers and musicians, danced at a few festivals and drank lots of beer.
If you would like to book us for festvials, social occasion, ceilidh etc... Just e-mail us on here or at smuttrapper@hotmail.co.uk and we will get back to you as soon as possible!
Smutt dancing some figures from Newbiggin-by-the-Sea on a very slippy floor at Sidmouth Folk Week 2009.
Smutt dancing their version of North Walbottle in the Zetland at Warwick Folk Festival 2008.
Smutt dancing Murton for the very first time ever at Warwick Folk Festival 2008. This dance is back to front compared to a normal rapper dance which makes it very confusing, as the video shows!
Who I'd like to meet: Tom, Jason, Jen, Steph, Becs, Eilidh, Kirsty, Alice, Anna, James k, James t, Duncan, Stuart and Wierdy McBeardy Shallaker are all pretty cool and we'd like to meet them more often.
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this folk-carol on myspace... Poem 230 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (see my blog for details): CHRISTMAS SUNG SIMPLY
As gospellers have said, Beneath signalling skies, On land dusty to tread, A trough in a stable Was the strawy first-bed Of a divine baby - The forgiving Godhead.
A season for new hope - There then and here now; The yuletide of goodwill - There then and here now.
In respect of this chance, Beneath bright or dark skies, Faith's the star that we glance Attending Christ's churches And trying to enhance, With singing and ritual, Our God-loving stance.
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 162 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): TEES TO TYNE: FIRST IMPRESSIONS - SUMMER 2001
Where traditions are not so rare; Sea, country and works scent the air; A multitude of monuments, Planted tubs and patterned pavements.
The longish pedestrian malls; The remnants of defensive walls; Historic buildings are a gauge Of the respect for heritage.
Wheat, rape and pines in the fields; Estuaries guarded by shields; Long sandy beaches and wide scenes; Romantic-ruin go-betweens.
Rivers in parts licked by trees, Or fringed by boat clubs, wharfs, gantries, And crossed by practical delights - Varied spans, forming pleasing sights.
Fine churches headed at Durham; Football kits ad infinitum; Kept castles - one for study; Masonry behind masonry.
And, with moulding-works out that way, It’s somewhere for a longer stay..?
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 2 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): WALKABOUT WITH MY PEN
Once drove an old sedan, up north, From a place in Sydney to Cairns; Then to Kuranda I went forth, By train, to look without set plans.
I browsed through the trendy market, With fresh fruits of tropical kind; Walked to the creek through lush thicket - Nature’s hand giving peace of mind.
I dined in a scenic cafe; Then, outside, as I wrote for yen, Some passing Kooris called-out: “Hey, You go walkabout with your pen.”
Request or question, I don’t know - Assured voices, elderly men. That’s now several years ago, And I’ve seen the world - with my pen.
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace -
2 of 230, walkaboutsverse.741.com: WALKABOUT WITH MY PEN
Once drove an old sedan, up north, From a place in Sydney to Cairns; Then to Kuranda I went forth, By train, to look without set plans.
I browsed through the trendy market, With fresh fruits of tropical kind; Walked to the creek through lush thicket - Nature’s hand giving peace of mind.
I dined in a scenic cafe; Then, outside, as I wrote for yen, Some passing Kooris called-out: “Hey, You go walkabout with your pen.”
Request or question, I don’t know - Assured voices, elderly men. That’s now several years ago, And I’ve seen the world - with my pen.
Unfortuenayely due to end of term chaos i've decided to give the Kingsman a wee miss for the moment though will pop back pos end of term or new year ish. Shall give yous a ring for a pint sonney.
I mean, I'm glad there's a folk degee in Newcastle, England - but it should be an English Folk Degee - i.e., I agee with Glasgow and Limerick.
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this -
230 of 230, walkaboutsverse.741.com: AS GOSPELLERS HAVE SAID/CHRISTMAS SUNG SIMPLY
As gospellers have said, Beneath signalling skies, On land dusty to tread, A trough in a stable Was the strawy first-bed Of a divine baby - The forgiving Godhead.
A season for new hope - There then and here now; The yuletide of goodwill - There then and here now.
In respect of this chance, Beneath bright or dark skies, Faith’s the star that we glance Attending Christ’s churches And trying to enhance, With singing and ritual, Our God-loving stance.