Contact details
Email to [email protected] or Phone 01626770238
THINGS TO REMEMBER WHEN ORGANISING A CEILIDH OR BARN DANCE
1.START TIME: Never
start an evening dance before 8-00 p.m. Very rarely do folks who must travel
arrive before that time anyway. An advertised 8-00 p.m. start usually means that
people drift in about 8-15 p.m. onwards and by 8-30 p.m. there may be enough
dancers to get up on their feet. The exception,of course, is the captive
audience (for example, the wedding reception in a hotel with no homes for people
to dash off to between stages of events.)
2.LEAD BY EXAMPLE: Organisers,
bride/groom will encourage so many extra dancers on to the floor early if
they,themselves, join in from the very start,even if they have never danced
before! Also,encourage known 'ring leaders/characters' (bald Uncle
Charlie,famous flag-pole painter,you know the sort) to join in as early as
possible. You see,the earliest dances are the easiest - but it is also the time
when people are most inhibited and need to see others enjoying it and getting
the dances 'wrong'. These dances can set the atmosphere for the rest of the
evening.
3.MAKING MISTAKES: Never
worry about making mistakes during dances ! Just laugh it off,it's all part of
the fun and your laughter will rub off on others.People watching will not want
to dance if those already dancing look miserable or harrassed. Personally, I
never call for 'proper folk dancers' on principle since many of them seem more
interested in showing everyone present how clever they and their fancy footwork
are. Our agency may be a business,but our business is in encouraging fun and
relaxation. Above all, enjoy yourselves!
4.BOOZE AND BOOZERS!: If
alcoholic drinks are available, encourage people to drink early on and then slow
down.Dancing will also help 'sweat' out alcohol. Early drinks loosen
inhibitions,tongues and feet. Please be clear about this; we are not advocating
irresponsible drinking sessions! And if someone is too drunk,leave them sat
down, they become a liability to themselves and others on the dance floor.
5.FOOD BREAKS/INTERVALS: If
food is to be offered,set aside a definite interval and inform your caller as
soon as possible of your plans or schedule (especially if hot food is involved
!). NEVER, ever have an 'eat-when-you-like' running buffet - it kills the
dancing stone dead !
6.LIGHTING: Keep
lighting fairly subdued (ish !). Not glaring bright to put people off standing
up in the first place. Definitely not dark with flashing lights (it's not a
disco) or people cannot see too well when trying out the dance moves. Consult
your band and caller before you get started.
7.FLOOR SURFACE: It
is best to avoid slippery floors for obvious reasons. Conversely,carpets (and
grass) are hard work for the dancers and should be avoided/rolled out of the
way.And loose rugs could be fatal - MOVE THEM AT ALL COSTS !!! As for floor
space, if there is 'disco' space for fifty people, you will only have room for
twenty odd for barn dances.
8.SETTING UP TIME: Bands
usually need at least an hour to unload, set up equipment and carry out 'sound
checks' - we are talking 'live' music here ! So if you start at 8-00 p.m. make
sure the room is available to the band at 7-00 p.m. latest. Likewise,make sure
the caller knows definite details as to when to end the night (licensing
laws,'grumpy' caretakers). It might save somebody some embarrassment later on.
9.STAGE/SITE: If
your room has a stage for the band,that is ideal. If no stage is available,don't
worry - it's not a problem. Preferably site the band at the end of the room
furthest from the main entrance/exit, in a space 12' x 15' approx with a safe,
tested power point within reasonable distance.
10.CHILDREN: We
love to see them at barn dances - no inhibitions,showing up the adults.But,above
all, discourage young children from touching or playing with band gear. Not only
are modern instruments very costly to buy and maintain but nearly all
instruments and P.A. systems will be ELECTRICALLY WIRED - Need we say more ?
Everybody's safety is a paramount concern and needless accidents can mar your
special event !
This is not a definitive list of 'Do's and Don'ts'. For more advice and a
comprehensive list of National Folk Bands and Callers available for hire
throught the UK, please see www.jigsnreels.co.uk ,
who we are pleased to work for on a regular basis.
Email to [email protected] or Phone 01626770238