Beside the Point

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Beside the Point is currently the highest ranked rapper sword team in the United States. Beside the Point, founded in 2003, is based in Sudbury, MA at the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church. They are affiliated with Great Meadows Morris and Sword

[edit] History

Beside the Point had its beginnings performing at venues for contra dancing and parades. They dance out regularly at NEFFA, The Ginger Ale (a gathering of young dancers in the Cambridge, MA area), and at the Marlboro Morris Ale in Vermont. The team has also performed twice at the New York Sword Ale, one of the leading sword conventions in the United States. They quickly gained a reputation as an exciting team with innovative figures, a sharp performance style and rapid dancing. In 2004, Beside the Point was one of two American teams invited to the International Sword Spectacular in Whitby, UK. Beside the Point performed in may of 2004 and gained recognition on the International Rapper Dance scene. In March of 2005, Beside the Point returned to the United Kingdom to Compete in DERT, the top Rapper Dance competition in the world. They had the honor of opening the competition and placed fourth in the Open Division with their dance, Pirate. In 2006, Beside the Point returned to DERT with Dance Ninja (video seen here[1]) and proceeded to take home the award for the Most Exciting Dance. They placed 6th in the premier division and were widely recognized as one of the best rapper teams in the world. The team is not currently practicing, but has plans to perform at the 2008 International Sword Spectacular in Whitby.

[edit] The Team

The Dances

Dance 1 (retired) was the team's first dance.
Dance B, also know as Tangerine (retired), is the team's second dance and is known for its humorous introduction
Dance Blue is the team's third dance, known for its memorable walkout
Dance Δ (Delta) is the team's fourth dance and is known for its innovative figures of British Bedspread and leaping Five Corners
Dance Pirate, the team's fifth dance, was taken to DERT in 2005. It incorporates two original tunes as well as the theme from Pirates of the Caribbean It also includes a breathtaking sword lock spin.
Dance Ninja, taken to DERT in 2006, won the award for Most Exciting Dance. It uses almost solely original figures including standing backflips and triple backflips, feats yet unrivaled by any other team.

The Kit

Beside the Point Dances in a black kit with orange sashes individualized with a Smiley Face. Over the years their short sleved black t-shirts became elegant button up collerd shirts to which they added the ever popular smilyface tie. The team's flag is a pirate flag of a Smiley Face with a bandana on top of crossed rapper and juggling swords.