Last updated

Tuesday September 04, 2007

What's a Ceilidh?

Ceilidh (kãlî) n. (Sc & Ir) Informal gathering for music, dancing, song & story. (Gael.)

The definition of a Ceilidh covers a wide range of activities, but is now more frequently used as a description for a Barn Dance. Drop of a Hat play mainly traditional tunes, many of Celtic origin, for dances based on traditional country dances, some dating back to the stately court dances of the mid 1600's. We add a sprinkling of more recent tunes and to help keep things interesting, we play Irish, English, Scottish, American.......

Most of the steps are simple and easily learnt, but since most people don't know the dances, Drop of a Hat uses a caller to give you instructions. Before the dance starts, he'll talk you through it whilst you walk the steps, then he'll prompt you through the dance to keep you in the right place. If you catch on quickly, he might leave you to it - live dangerously!

If you know the dances already, it just makes it easier for us!

What does the Drop of a Hat Ceilidh Band do?

We provide music for a wide variety of dances, a caller to talk you through the dances and music to listen to in between dances. We do let you rest sometimes!

What do you need to do?

Because we talk you through each dance, you don't need experience, or any special skills. The dances really are suitable for all ages and abilities and for this reason are ideal for weddings and other occasions where there is likely to be a range of ages. The only thing you do need is a willingness to enjoy yourselves, a space to do it in, oh and some dancers! You need sets of four or more couples for many of the dances, more is not a problem. The upper limit is usually determined by the size of the dancing area, in many halls this means around 60 dancers. Of course, not everybody will dance at once.

If you would like to hear us, at least some of us will be at the regular traditional music session at the Barrel Inn, Bretton, Derbyshire, every Wednesday night from around 9:00pm

On Friday nights, we'll be at The Anchor at Tideswell on the first, third and fifth - if there is one - Fridays of the month or The Crispin at Great Longstone on the second and fourth Fridays.  Complicated I know, but who said life had to be simple?

The sessions are open to all musicians and singers, so you just never know what the evening will be like. We've had visitors from all over the world.  No really!  We have a visitor's book to prove it.

Good food, good beer and good music. What else is there?

Other things to consider

We are fully equipped with a sound system requiring only a 240V supply. All our equipment is regularly tested and has a current PAT certificate. We have public liability insurance too - though we're not suggesting that you'll  be a liability!

A stage is not essential, though it helps the caller keep his eye on you. As he has a radio mike, he can wander about on the dance floor to show you what to do when needed.

We can work in village or church halls, marquees,  pub function rooms and the like. We need about an hour to set up our stuff and do a sound check before the dancing starts.