Jump up the Sun! Come celebrate May Day, 2014 with the Bay Area Morris community Morris dancers throughout the Bay Area gather together with their sticks, ribbons, bells, hankies, and baldrics, for music and dance in our annual May 1st celebrations on Thursday. We wake the Sun and bring it back for a whole year! (Besides being a great deal of fun, you'll notice it works, too!)   Be part of it. Show up while it's dark and watch the Sun make its grand entrance. See the spectacle! Watch the magic! Cheer the dancers! Join in the celebration!  There are 5 locations in the Bay Area, so come to one near you!

Graphic copyright © 2011, Stewart Hall

(Note: Sunrise and event starting times can vary significantly, depending on location. You may need to contact a specific team directly to find out more about the local schedule).

Berkeley - Inspiration Point at Tilden Park with Berkeley Morris

Dancing runs from 5:20 - 6:45am (sunrise around 6:13am - be sure to dress warmly).  For information on directions, times, and other locations visit Berkeley's May Day schedule.

Palo Alto - Baylands Wildlife Refuge with Deer Creek Morris Men & Mad Molly

Dancing starts at 5:30am and includes both morris performances and audience participation country dances.  Directions: take Embarcadero East from the US-101 to the end of the road, turn left, go past the airport, bear right, past the Duck Pond and the Ranger Station to the parking lot on the left.  Be prepared to join in, as we'll be teaching dances to the audience as well - good fun for all.

For more information, especially about other performances this teams may be doing during the, check the team websites or contact squire Dick of Deer Creek or squire Kaela of Mad Molly.

San Francisco - Twin Peaks parking lot with Goat Hill Morris

Meet around 5:45am and start the dancing around 6:00am.  For more info, call Jocelyn at 415-731-7104 or email the team squire.

Santa Cruz - The Lighthouse on West Cliff Drive withf Seabright Morris & Sword

Dancing starts around 5:30 a.m. with touring throughout the day - schedule provided at the Lighthouse.  Directions: take Hwy 1, turn on Bay Street towards the ocean, go all the way to the end, then right onto West Cliff Drive - leave extra time to find parking.  For more info on the day's activities visit the team website or  contact Squire Laura  or phone (831) 338-4687.

Sebastopol - The Community Center Youth Annex with Apple Tree Morris

Go to 425 Morris Street (actually behind the annex, between the pond and the traffic circle).  Dancing starts at 5:30am with morris performances, country dances to join in, and a potluck breakfast afterwards.  There will likely be a local tour with a couple of stops to follow. There's more info on the website, or you can contact squire Cliff or phone (707) 823-6925.

Teams listed here (or their members) are associated with the Bay Area Country Dance Society (BACDS) or the North Bay Country Dance Society (NBCDS).  To find other morris celebrations, check the North America May Day list.

Last updated April 3, 2014