Rites of Spring folk event lined up for Leicester

Traditional springtime folk activities have inspired a new
event being staged in Leicester this year for the first time.

The Rites of Spring will feature Morris dancing, folk music,
maypole dancing, story telling, children’s crafts and more.

Something for all the family has been lined up at the event,
which takes place on Sunday May 6th against the backdrop of
Leicester’s 14th Century Guildhall.

The Rites of Spring, which is being billed as a celebration
of folk custom, music and dance, has been organised by Louise Dawson, from West
End, Leicester, with friends. She said: “Traditional springtime festivities have long
since inspired song, dance and custom.

“A steady undercurrent that has trickled down through the ages,
mysterious and sometimes unfathomable, folk traditions have remained resonant
and a force for creativity and imagination, resolutely bound to the landscape
and seasons.

“This is a new event for Leicester, and we’ve been delighted with how
it’s grown from a small idea into something which will feature a wide range of
folk-inspired activities.”

The event kicks off at 1pm on Sunday May 6th, and at regular
intervals throughout the day there will be Morris dancing displays, from Leicester
Morris Men, and maypole dancing.

Other attractions include children’s crafts, face painting, live art, story
telling and stalls.

Films and talks also appear on the programme, including a short film
about folk customs and the Way of the
Morris, a documentary film directed by Tim Plester. Tim will host a
question and answer session afterwards.

From 7pm, a bar run by the Orange Tree in Leicester will be selling real
ale, cider and wine.

Advanced tickets,
available from the Guildhall box office or from behind the Orange Tree bar in
High Street, Leicester, are £12 for the whole day, £8 for the evening or £5 for
the day time events.

For more details about
the programme visit www.theritesofspring.net