Traditional Teams
The Traditional competition exists to keep rapper connected to its origins. Teams perform dances that were collected from mining villages in Northumberland and Durham, the actual routines that Cecil Sharp and other collectors documented in the early 1900s.
Rapper keeps evolving. That’s good and necessary. But evolution can drift away from the source material. The Traditional category reminds everyone where these dances came from. It’s not about being better than modern dances. It’s about maintaining the link.
Sallyport Sword Dancers
Formed in 1969 and still going strong, Sallyport are deeply committed. What to, nobody knows although many people say they ought to be. However, traditional rapper dances, plus good pubs with good beer and good floors do figure somewhere. They also like DERT and are one of the few teams to have never missed one yet.
Sheffield Steel
Sheffield’s finest daughters present a taste of northern grit. Dynamic dancing, powerful music and steely determination drive them forward (not to mention gin). Inspired by the Steel City’s industrial heritage, and with Henderson’s Relish running through their veins, they show off Sheffield in every move they make. Pure joy in a flurry of orange and black.
Star and Shadow
Rapper dancing sensation Star and Shadow Rapper will be coming to dazzle you with their precision and grace in their anniversary dance ’10’, whilst also entertaining you with their rapid wit! Gin! Swirly skirts! Gin! Over 10 years in the making and performing for your entertainment! Gin!
Thrales
Spawned from the coal mines of South Middlesex in 1994, Thrales spread culture and enlightenment across the congestion charge zone and beyond.
Tower Ravens
Formed in the wake of DERT 2012, Tower Ravens are London’s newest, youngest, most attractive (and only) female rapper team. Named after the feathered guardians of the crown jewels, these birds have escaped the confines of the Tower and are looking forward to flying north to Leeds. Catch them if you can!
Whip the Cat
We are Whip the Cat Rapper and Clog, a team of female dancers with male and female musicians and Tommies from Nottingham. Formed 20 years ago we have built ourselves up to a premier level rapper team with around 30 members ranging from the ages of 20 to 63. Our dance experience is also wide ranging and we are very proud to be such a diverse, inclusive and thriving team.