The Beltaine Bash 2003 - Page 2, In the Conway Halls
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As this was a major event, the review is split into three sections.
Use these links to navigate. |
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| Pagan Pride Parade and Open Circle | The Beltaine Bash | Inkubus Sukkubus |
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Once the gods were called, it was on with the entertainment, first up were The Bogies once more, in a truly incredible display of real drumming. Now, I've heard so-called "Pagan Drumming" before, usually consisting of the terminally stoned battering away at ropey old bodhrans and bongos, totally out of time with each other or anyone else, and making it damn hard to appreciate the grandeur of nature at major festivals. This time was rather spectacularly different. We'd already seen that The Bogies knew how to use their drums properly at the open circle in Russel Square Gardens, but the three man drum solo they treated us to in the halls was just totally incredible. I wanna buy a record of these guys performing!
If you look closely at the picture above, I think even the Norse Gods were impressed! Once they'd finished their first solo, the Bogies kept going and provided the music for a very silly dance performed by the Naughty Faeries. Well, at least we were firmly told that they were naughty, though one of them did protest that they are in reality just misunderstood...
Finally one of the Bogies and one of the Faeries were introduced to the crowd as a recently handfasted couple, and given a rousing cheer by the audience. |
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The Ravens Morris were followed by Nominus Minstrels, with entertaining songs and tales of medieval witchery and other goings-on. Sadly, despite coaching, the audience kept failing to join in with the choruses, which was a bit of a pity. Still great fun though!
About this point, I met a Green Man!
And now for something completely different - The Royal Liberty Morris! Described as "the bad boys of Morris dancing", this troupe dress in motorcycle leathers and instead of wooden staves, they dance with steel pipes!
There was much more entertainment to come, but as the tempreture was rising the call of the pub down the street grew. Some strangely familiar faces were seen to be lurking outside!
Cat Von Trapp treated us to some very interesting vocal music. And finaly, a few more Inkies fans I met during the day
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| Select "Inkubus Sukkubus" to see the band's triumphant headline performance! | ||
| Pagan Pride Parade and Open Circle | The Beltaine Bash | Inkubus Sukkubus |
Each of the Gods was welcome into the gathering with a dance and great cry of "Hail!",
and once their own were all present Midgard's Web passed out the great mead horn and
invited members of the audience to call and welcome their own deities to join us, which
many then did. Before long, we had summoned a fair representation of most of the ancient
world, Hecate, Cerridwyn, Pan and Herne amongst them!
