Since 1997, children's morris dance teams from the Greater Boston area and elsewhere in New England have gathered for a day of performances, socializing and just plain fun. Historically, such gatherings of morris dance teams have been called "ales" -- however, since these particular teams feature dancers under 18 years old, organizers decided to use a name more appropriate to the age group: The Ginger Ale.

This site is intended mainly as an archive for recent and past Ginger Ales, but will also offer details on upcoming Ginger Ale-related doings. Please report any errors in the information provided or other problems with the site here.
Photo: Winster Processional, Ginger Ale 2000, Waterfront Park, Boston

Ginger Ale 2009

The 13th annual Ginger Ale will take place on Saturday, May 9.

Teams participating this year are:

-Banbury Cross Morris
-Great Meadows Morris and Sword, including the following rapper teams:
--Pocket Flyers
--Candy Rapper
--Snicker Snack
-Clownfish Rapper
-Hop Brook Morris
-Jolly Jump Ups
-Mulberry Morris/Bubble Rapper

Schedule

Noon to 1:15 pm:
Tour A: Fountain in the Boston Common
Pocket Flyers
Candy Rapper
Clownfish
Mulberry

Tour B: Next to Tadpole Park in the Boston Common:
Snicker Snack
Hop Brook
Jolly Jump-ups
Banbury Cross

1:15-2:30 p.m.
Break

2:30-3:15 p.m.
Tour A: Long Wharf between the Marriott and the Aquarium
Snicker Snack
Candy Rapper
Jolly Jump-ups
Mulberry

Tour B: Wharf District Park

Hop Brook
Pocket Flyers
Banbury Cross
Clownfish

3:30-4:30 p.m.
Massed Stand at Christopher Columbus Park near the steps by Joe's American Bar and Grill.

Ginger Ale 2007

Ginger Ale number 11 took place on May 5 at Waterfront Park and City Hall Plaza in Boston. Go here to see photos from the event.

Read about The Ginger Ale's first 10 years in the American Morris Newsletter

Teams that have participated in The Ginger Ale since it began

*Banbury Cross Morris and Sword
*Beyond the Fringe
*Bubble Rapper
*Great Meadows Morris and Sword, including:
--Beside the Point Rapper
--Candyrapper
--Slightly Green Rapper
--Scrambled Six Rapper
--Fresh Blood Rapper
--Team X Morris
*The Johnny Jump-Ups
*Green Mountain Morris
*Hopbrook Morris
*Maple Leaf Morris
*Mulberry Morris
*Velocirapper
*Lexington Waldorf School dancers

The teams have danced in rain and sun, heat and cold, displaying their love of traditional English morris and sword dancing in venues such as Harvard Square, the banks of the Charles River, the Boston waterfront, Faneuil Hall Marketplace and Concord, Mass.

Highlights of the 2006 Ginger Ale (GA X)

Highlights of the 2005 Ginger Ale

Highlights of the 2004 Ginger Ale

Highlights of the 2003 Ginger Ale

Highlights of the 2001 and 2002 Ginger Ale

Highlights of the 1997 and 1998 Ginger Ale are available through the Velocirapper Web site