The Bouwerie Boys are a Morris dancing group, founded in New York City in 1979. The group was founded by John Dexter, who had previously started the Binghamton Morris Men in Binghamton, NY.
In 1982, the Bouwerie Boys were featured in The New York Times as one of the three active Morris dancing groups in New York City at the time.
The team is rooted in the Sherbourne tradition, known for its upright posture, powerful leaps, and sweeping handkerchief movements. Our "kit" (as Morris uniforms are usually called) consists of white pants, white shirts, and black shoes, all of which are traditional in Morris dancing. Additionally, the Bouwerie Boys specifically wear a black vest, two sets of ribboned arm-bands, red socks, and a single rose pinned to the vest.
Historically, many Morris dancing groups have been either men's groups or women's groups (though there have always been groups open to everyone). The Bouwerie Boys was a men's group for most of its history, although the group decided to open itself to people of any gender a number of years back.
Today, the Bouwerie Boys continue to perform this centuries-old, Cotswold tradition. Through planned performances, spontaneous street appearances, and regular practice, we work to keep this heritage alive in our hometown of New York City.