I had my own ideas about this but then recently a dancer told me she perceived “A barn dance is more fun than a ceilidh as you can go wrong and it does not matter - a ceilidh is more formal” So with this in mind I decided to clarify this using one of my more favoured resources:-From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Originally, a ceilidh was a social gathering of any sort, and did not necessarily involve dancing. It is a literary entertainment where stories and tales, poems and ballads, are rehearsed and recited, and songs are sung, conundrums are put, proverbs are quoted, and many other literary matters are related and discussed.
In modern usage, a cèilidh or céilí is a traditional Gaelic social gathering, which usually involves playing Gaelic folk music and dancing. It originated in Ireland and Scotland.
Before discos and nightclubs, there were céilidhs in most town and village halls on Friday or Saturday nights. Céilidhs facilitated courting and prospects of marriage for young people and they are still an important and popular social outlet in rural parts of Ireland and Scotland.
Céilidh music may be provided by an assortment of traditional folk instruments, and in more recent times also drums and electric bass guitar. The music is cheerful and lively, and the basic steps can be learned easily; a short instructional session is often provided for new dancers before the start of the dance itself.
A barn dance is any kind of dance held in a barn, but usually involves traditional or folk music with traditional dancing. It is a type of dance, originating in America and popular in Britain in the late 19th century and early 20th, derived from Schottische. Folk dancing events are often also referred to as "barn dances", despite being held in locations other than barns.
The term “barn dance” is usually associated with family-oriented, community-oriented events.
A barn dance can be a Ceilidh, with traditional Irish or Scottish dancing, and people unfamiliar with either format often confuse the two terms. However, a barn dance can also feature square dancing, Morris dancing, Contra dancing, English Country Dance, dancing to Country and Western music, or any other kind of dancing, often with a live band and a Caller.
Like barn dances, English ceilidhs always use a caller who calls the dance figures the dancers need to make.
So who are we The Reel Jiggers Barn Dance Band OR Ceilidh Band?????
Well we have 3 musicians playing melodeon, guitar and mandolin. Our music is cheerful and lively and the basic steps can be learnt easily and there is a caller to provide a short instruction before each dance.
Our music includes traditional English, Irish, Scottish and American tunes and we play for community - oriented events. The dances include a variety of the ones mentioned for ceilidhs and barn dances.
We have not yet played in a barn but are open to suggestions and are more than happy to facilitate young people and courting couples!!
If anyone would like to come along and do some literary entertainment, play a tune or sing a song they are more than welcome at our El Cruce events ( see Sentinella for dates ). Let us know in advance.
In conclusion we could use either title but, as our evenings are fun for all ages and abilities and it does not matter if you go wrong, we will call ourselves a Barn Dance Band – it is easier to spell!!!!!
Contact:- Stuart 618 248 239 or Chris 651 338 612.
