The Maypole.

For best results, the pole should be 9 to 12 feet high. The ribbons should be 2 to 3 times the length of the pole, quite strong, and firmly attached to the top of pole, or to a revolving wheel on the top of the pole. You can also use two wheels, with half the ribbons attached to each. This will allow the dances to move in two circles in opposite directions. By sinply crossing the ribbons the wheels will lock. It is best, at first, to only use two different coloured ribbons, as this will help the boys and girls to work out the steps. With practice more colours can be used.

The Dancers.

The best number of dancers is between 8 and 20, and an even number is best. Two of the dances below require 8 dancers only.

The end of the ribbon should be helpd firmly in the outer hand (The one facing away from the pole), while the inner hand loosely holds the ribbon and can directed it (Holding it up or down as required). If needed, the ribbon can be held in loops in the outer hand, and a released on loop at a time as needed.

At first, use a slow tempo for the music (Waltzes are good). The tempo can increase with practice. If possible, use live musicians as they can vary the tempo.

The Dances.

There are many Maypole dances. The ones below range from easy to difficult (and in one cast nearly impossible!). The dancers will need to have a partner, who they will stand next to to begin with.

Grand Chain.
This is the most common Maypole dance. The dances stand away from the pole, with the ribbons slack (but not touching the ground). The partners face each other. On the beat the boys move slightly towards the pole as they move forward. The girls move forward and hold their ribbons up so the boys can go under them. The boys them move away from the pole, and the girls towards it slightly. This time the girls move inside the boys. Continue in this "In and Out" manner until the ribbon is all used up. Now the fun part. Dancers reverse direction and try to undo the ribbons. If the dancers look at the point where their ribbons cross they can work out who should go over and under. After that it is easy.

Barbers Pole.
The boys start standing next to the pole with their ribbons pulled tight. The girls start away from the pole with their ribbons slightly slack. On the beat the girls move one complete revolution in one direction. When they get back to their starting position they move towards the pole, pulling their ribbons tight, while the boys move away from the pole and let their ribbons go slack. When the boys get to the end of their ribbons they move one complete revolution IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION as the girls did. Continue in this manner until the ribbons are used up, then reverse and undo.

The first part of this dance is quite easy, while the undoing can be a bit tricky. Keep an eye on the point where the ribbons cross over to see if you have gone too far.

With the above dances, the ribbons will form a platt against the pole. In the following dances the ribbons will form a platt AWAY from the pole, forming an umbrella.

Gypsy's tent.

The girls start away from the pole with their ribbons slack.The boys start half way between the pole and the girls, facing away from the pole, with their ribbons tight. On the beat the girls move towards their partner, pulling thier ribbons tight as they go (They will needto let out their
ribbons slowely during the dance). The girls dance once around their partner, then move on to the next boy. They dance once around him, then onto the next boy, and so forth. When the girls ribbons are used up, reverse and undo. Once undone, the girls and boys cahnge positions.

Spiders Web (Difficult).

The dances start in the same positions as for Gypsy's Tent. On the beat, the girls dance around their partner, then dance PAST the next boy (without dancing around him), and move onto the next boy. They dance 180 degrees around him, dance back to the boy they past, then dance 180 degrees aound him. Continue in this "Past one, around one and back" manner
until ribbons are used, then reverse and undo. Partners then swap positions.

The following two dances are for 8 dancers only, in two pairs of four.

Jacobs Ladder.

The boys start halfway towards the pole, facing out with their ribbons tight. The girls dance around their partner, then dance towards the other boy in their pair. When the girls meet in the centre, they dance 180 degrees around each other, then head back to their partner. 180 degrees around their partner, then back towards the centre. Continue in this manner until ribbon is used. This will form two "Ladders" down the sides and away from the pole. If you have a wheel on the top of the pole the ladders can be rotated around the pole (This looks quite impressive). Undo and swap.

Pyramid.

Same as Jacobs ladder, except when the girls get back to their partner they dance 90 degrees and head towards the nearest boy in the other pair, then back. This willform a four sided pyramid around the pole.

Many thanks to Brendan Crawford of Teachers Net for these dances