h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Well despite being President of the Galaxy I'm a single man. If anybody would like to give me 9 ladies dancing I'd be most grateful. (Not like the ones on the h2g2 pic though please).

The obvious meaning of "Nine Ladies Dancing" is from Morris Dancing.

Here's the boring technical explanation:

North West Morris, from the mill towns of Lancashire / West Yorkshire (yes I know that's hardly in the North West) and Cheshire, is danced usually in sets of 8, often with one additional person - the Foreman - dancing at the front to remind everyone else what to do. Female - only (or "Ladies'") teams exist in profusion, partly because the Morris Ring persists in denying that women should be allowed to dance some of the other forms of morris.

Now the interesting question is why anyone would give a morris side to their love at Christmas. As an inspiration to burn off the excesses of Christmas dinner? Or just cheap entertainment? Actually many of the women's Morris sides are highly entertaining, both on and off the dance arena. Any good answers?