Dance instructions

The Official Uptown-On-The-Lakes Kit Definition

COTSWOLD SEASON

Vests:

• Purple.  Look for a new cloth that is similar enough in color & shade to look good with current vests, by that will not fade as much as the all-cotton ones. The Rag usually has extras in storage.

• Lining fabric can be any color or fabric, but should contain the same or higher percentage of poly as the purple to avoid problems with shrinkage and bunching.

• If you choose to use a non-gray lining, be willing to take the time in making the vest to finish the edges such that the lining is not obvious when the vest is worn purple-side-out.

• The team has patterns in several sizes. You can also use one made by a professional for special help with sizing, fitting.  Those who want assistance with sewing their vest or want to contract it out entirely can hire someone or barter with someone on or off the team.

• Keep basic shape of the vest - pointed front, buttons, v-neck.  It should look timeless, not tied to a particular period like renaissance.

• Individual vest can be more or less fitted (tighter or looser), per individual taste.

• More ribbons - matching rosettes with ribbons for bell pads; rosettes for arms etc. that can be pinned on, as option to current elastic ones.

• Full bell pads

BORDER SEASON

• Tatter vest or double baldric (2 swags crossed). If you prefer the baldric style, make sure it has enough cloth to look full. Colors are varied. Some people prefer a color scheme, others prefer random. Just make sure it has enough cloth rags to look full. The team has some extra vests/baldrics.

• Black long-sleeved shirt and long black pants. 

• Socks and shoes as with Cotswold.

• "Clydesdales" - tatter strips below knees are encouraged but not mandatory. Make sure they are short enough that you don't trip over them.

• Border bells are a single row of bells, fastened below knees. Additional bells on shoes are allowed.

• NOTE: for Horn Dance only, just wear black. The team has tabards/costumes for the various characters. 

Three types of Cotswold kit (Border is just border):

1.  Formal whites - for formal Cotswold gigs and events

Examples: all paid gigs, Festival of Nations, Ales, charity gigs, anywhere where we are scheduled by an organization to dance for an audience.

• team vest

• white-white woven pants (not cream)  - jeans are fine, uniform pants are fine.

• long-sleeve woven white-white shirt (sleeves can be rolled to below elbow). Collar. If uncollared, must be evaluated by team in conjunction with other shirts to see how the group looks as a whole; i.e., peasant shirts are an option, but all shirts need to kook similar enough that we look like the same team when together.

• matched white, purple, or black socks

• all-black shoes

• matching ribbons on bell pads

• uniform white hankies (team can provide)

2.  Everyday - for summer dance outs, informal gigs

Examples: May Day morning, May Day festival & parade, summer dance outs, guerilla Morris.

• team vest

• whitish woven pants (light cream/whitish jeans/peasant/gauzy OK)

• whitish woven shirt, long to just-above-elbow short sleeves OK, any neckline (collared or uncollared), peasant shirts fine.

• matched white, purple, or black socks

• mostly-black shoes

• ribbons of some sort

3. Hot Weather - for dance outs on really hot days, and optional for practices and practice outs anytime.

A really hot day will be announced by the squire/shepherd/fore and communicated – this is not an individual decision.

• Team T-shirts (team logo or purple & white Tie-dyed)

• whitish pants, short or long or in-between

• socks optional

• shoes - any, optional

• ribbons optional

Other Circumstances:

• For practices & practice outs, any attire that won't get you arrested is fine.

• For Uptown-in-the-Lake, swimsuit with team vest is fine.

Team Tasks:

• make vests

• make more ribbons