Ceilidh dancing

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Hey everyone!

Some of you are aware that a couple weeks ago Justin and I went to a traditional Scottish Ceilidh. For those of who may not know what this is (I didn't until I looked it up online prior to attending--Thanks Wikipedia!), here is a little bit of info and then a follow up of some pictures of us and our friends from the night!

Céilidh music is provided by any assortment of fiddle, flute, tin whistle, accordion, bodhrán (pronounced /ˈboːrɑːn/ or /ˈbaurɑːn/) (a drumlike instrument, traditionally with a wooden frame covered with stretched goat hide), 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.

The general format of céilidh dancing is the "Set". A Set consists of four couples, with each pair facing another in a square or rectangular formation. Each couple exchanges position with the facing couple, and also facing couples exchange partners, while all the time keeping in step with the beat of the music.

However, about half of the dances in the modern Scots céilidh are couple dances performed in a ring. These can be performed by fixed couples or in the more sociable "progressive" manner, with the lady moving to the next gentleman in the ring at or near the end of each repetition of the steps.

There is also a form of dancing which in the US would be called square or line dancing - the "Siege of Ennis", "The Walls of Limerick" and "The Stack of Barley" being the most popular dances in this genre; some of the céilidh dance formations are named after famous historical battles and events, others after items of daily rural life as the last three examples show.

Step dancing is another form of dancing often performed at céilidhs, the form that was popularised in the 1990s by the world-famous Riverdance ensemble. Whereas Set dancing involves all present, whatever their skill, Step dancing is usually reserved for show, being performed only by the most talented of dancers.

The céilidh has been internationalised by the Scottish and Irish diasporas in Canada, the United States, Australia and New Zealand, where local céilidhs and traditional music competitions are held. In recent years, céilidh and traditional music competitions have been frequently won by descendants of emigrants.

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Comments

[Brian]

Dance, dance, dance
Looks like you guys had fun, but I don't see Justin in a "KILT". Hmmm, I guess we'll have to wait for that.