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Maypole Highlights
By Larry Gay
1975 - First Maypole Dance
A class (kind of) taught (kind of) by Larry on the history of performing
arts discusses traditions of ancient cultures. Larry has warm and
fuzzy recollections of the Maypole Dance (originally a fertility
rite) being performed at his elementary school. Class decided to
try one at the A.P. However, the dance ends abruptly when crepe
paper ribbons get destroyed by high winds. No problem... Students
spontaneously take ribbons and attach them to a shuttle bus. They
then string bunches of pop cans together and hook them on the back
of the bus. And, finally, someone makes a big sign that says "Just
Married" and plasters it on the rear emergency door. Students
going to Main Campus for class (along with Mutley, the school mascot,
a neighborhood dog that showed up every day at 8:00 AM, then returned
home at 3:00 PM) make the short trip down to the Main Campus. The
first dance was a bust, but who cares?
1981 - Maypole Music Riot
The traditional Maypole orchestra consisting of a violin, saxophone,
clarinet, piano, and bongo drums attempts to play traditional Maypole
theme song - a medley of When the Saints Go Marching In, Sweet Georgia
Brown, and Tiptoe Through the Tulips. However, mayhem breaks out
when low life, poop-for-brains kazoo players try to start a new
musical tradition.
1983 - Crash Maypole
Serious injury is avoided, but bumpers are bent as two different
motorists passing by the A.P. during the Maypole Dance are so intrigued
by what they see that they forget to watch the road in front of
them. Bang, crash, boom. The Maypole strikes again. Insurance rates
soar.
1992 - Maypole Dance on Tour
Due to an act of the "Boiler God" the heating system of
the A.P. blows up in January. The whole school takes a road trip
to Old Kilbourne for the second semester. The flagpole of Kilbourne
presents new challenges to the Maypole Dance. It is about twice
as tall, and actually rises straight up from the ground. (Take a
good look at the A.P. flagpole.) Dancers rise to the challenge and
conduct an incredible performance. This is also the first time that
students who will be new to the program participate. The new students
prove that they can look just as foolish as A.P. veterans.
1995 - Maypole Dance Under
The day of the Maypole Dance the skies open up with a storm that
would have sunk Noah. No problem - grab a piece of the kayak that
was under construction in the John Miller room and strap it to the
ceiling of the Big Room for a makeshift Maypole. Jam the entire
school (audience, dancers, and new kids) into the Big Room and have
at it. Another successful (and unique) Maypole extravaganza.
1996 - Swamp Maypole
Due to unrelenting rain in the spring of 1996 that turned the front
yard into Lake Linworth, the dance was postponed and rescheduled
about nineteen times. Tension was running high. Could we get the
dance accomplished before the end of the school year? Would the
skies clear long enough for the lake to recede? Would the malarial
swamp dry enough to allow dancers to achieve safe footing for the
intricate movements required by the dance? Yes, yes, yes! The first
ever June Maypole Dance.
The tradition continues...
Maypole 2002
(No Casualties Reported)
Finishing up the last of the weaving...
The End-of-Maypole Chaos
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