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The Black Sheep Morris Dancer performances consist of: 2-4 musicians, 4-12 dancers depending on turn out, as Sheep often wander….

Why Morris dance? The best part of Morris dancing is getting out and doing it. There is a certain satisfaction in upholding old traditions with a motley crew just because it’s what we do. The crowds, the fame, the black makeup running into your eyes are all perks of course!

The Bowen Black Sheep Morris Dancers were founded in April of 1998 by Bob Doucet who had previously danced in the United Kingdom as well as Boston, USA. As founder, organizer, lead musician, and teacher of the dances Bob Doucet has earned the title of Squire: leader of the Black Sheep.

As the fearless leader of the Blacksheep Bob is frequently lost in the mists of time… which is the perfect attribute for a shambolic group like the Blacksheep!
The Squire is well renown AND infamous for his love of the squeeze box and leading many a faourite tune such as the stoic version of Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds and Ukulele Lady. Never follow a man unless he can sing 'wickie wacky woo' with a straight face.

www.bobdoucet.com

Martin is a highly sought after purveyor of kayak rentals and is the reason the Sheep occasionally go to sea! Once a respected professor of English Martin has gradually adopted a more rural lifestyle and can frequently be heard reciting poetry, mostly: ‘Baa Baa Black Sheep...’

www.bowenislandkayaking.com

Now in the prime of his well-earned retirement, fin -no, fine host of the Fish dish supper and master of the banjo Jim is indispensible for adding musical flourish to the Black sheep, wearing the largest bells, once being the most skeletal in the group (at Hallowe'en!) and having the most refined taste in Morris hats. We especially like it when there is a bird perched at the end of his banjo... it's feet are wired on.

The funny dressing all began a decade ago with yellow leggings and green cross-garters… now, as the loudest, tallest sheep, Graham finds that all the world is a stage, one he probably helped to construct.

Ross joined the Morris Dancing group when the practices were on Sundays. Catherine asked if this was just an excuse so he could start drinking earlier on Sunday. Now his favourite attention getting thing, other than the dancing with good friends, is to yell "PHOTO - OP"!!

I LOVE the Black Joke!

Chris is fhe creator of the "Crowley", a new figure in our most original Morris dance.

...Sarah is the compulsive note-taking sheep, which is just a ruse to cover her secret plot to take over the Border side and make it 67% more efficient. Gone to Wales for a year to investigate Welsh Border dancing and gnome culture, Sarah will be back in 2008 to once again to haul out the old notes and erect the Maypole.

Sarah's Wales Blog
www.peargirl.com

"It's a dog eat dog world out there, so I work out with my stick every Wednesday at the legion."

Hey, doesn't that sheep look like "Ol' Blue Eyes?"

"Sometimes I get soooo sick of computers... so like Clark Kent, I transform! There's nothing more satisfying than wacking a couple of good holly sticks together, shouting and carousing in costume!

www.integritytech.ca

Brenda is the Enlightenment Sheep. After a good round of Morris Dancing she will cater a meal for fifty and then align everyone’s chakras at the end of the night.

...the crackin' of the sticks, roar of the crowds, sound of the bells, enjoyment of being in a disguise and letting loose ...having a total blast, wearing my favorite color and keeping an old style of dance alive. Yehaaaa !!

The "disco" sheep!

Ya, he has a disco ball, and he's proud of it!  "...Morris dance is the natural evolution of my love of disco dancing, only I don't get to wear my white disco shoes!"

Don’t let his mild manner fool you. The heart of the man with the nimble fingers on the fiddle burns burns with the peculiar passion of an avid fly fisherman. With his skills of casting large industrial culverts and ability to build an igloo with a chainsaw, Bob #2 is an asset every Morris border side requires.

Leah is the Sheep with the drum beat. We’re happy when she comes out to play with the sheep, especially when there’s the cry of ‘is there a doctor in the house?!’

In it for the Bells!

Tess says she’s in it for the bells, but there are other rumors of rag envy, stick coveting, a joy of bashing, and the thrill of scaring small children in public. Tess is the medically trained geology camp cook sheep, so when she isn’t dancing with the sheep she’s up North wondering why she didn’t bring her stick with her…

Dance vigorously and carry a big stick!

Kelly is a respected artist and ECI teacher who decided to give all that up to move to Bowen to become a full time resident and Morris dancer (well, we’re working on the latter part, anyhow.)

"After a long day in the feather-boa factory and also at my part-time job at the Hamster Obedience School, there's nothing like Morris Dancing to get rid of daily frustrations.
It was easy to pick up ... the sticks we use in the dance are similar to the ones at the school."
 

Kalen Shelagh
Flaminco Sheep

Kalen is mistress of many lovely cats and is the owner of many fantastic costumes which include medieval lady and Flamenco dancer when she’s not dropping in as a guest-sheep.

Your Name Could Be Here!!!

brianjones: "Can i be a Shaman...i always wanted to be a Shaman ( i've got a drum and a big stick...will that help ) ? "
(yes Brian, that always helps!)
 

...when he put whiskey in the whipcream we thought it was a dream, but alas, it was not to last, from the flock he did stray... we think we know why, (but he called it his M.A.). Brad, we're sad, but perhaps you'll be back some day.