Ceilidh
Band Wedding Music Advice
Hiring an Irish
ceilidh band is one of the best ways of ensuring that
all the guests at your wedding party, (or
company function, charity
ball or corporate
theme party),
meet each other in a happy, informal atmosphere. All Yorkshire
Entertainment Agency ceilidh bands bring along a dance
instructor, known as a 'caller', who entices people onto
the floor and then teaches them the simple 'moves' they
need to do for the next dance. Sometimes the 'caller'
is a band musician, and sometimes the bands use a separate
specialist caller to act as the Master of Ceremonies.
Getting the steps absolutely correct is neither expected
nor demanded, and indeed making mistakes is really all
part of the fun of a ceilidh!
It doesn't matter if you or your wedding guests have
never danced to a barn dance band or Irish ceilidh
band before. The movements are so natural and the
dances are so thoroughly explained, that anyone can do
it. The ceilidh band has a caller to let you know what’s
happening. They often 'walk' you through the steps before
the dance starts and then keep calling the moves after
the music has begun, to help you along as you dance. No
one is excluded because the dancing is the most natural
thing in the world - as many countries and generations
can affirm.
The traditional Scottish and Irish ceilidh band wedding
music is brilliantly received. It’s so infectious
and lively so that everyone gets into it and they don't
feel awkward or embarrassed. This style of dancing gives
your guests the chance to meet each other naturally during
the course of the evening as you’ll end up dancing
with lots of different guests during the course of the
night. Many dances are 'progressive', which means that
during the dance, couples will change partners regularly,
and this is why a ceili is one of the most successful
social entertainments. The music is a brilliant form of
entertainment for any event. Theceilidh band will obviously
work brilliantly for Irish theme
nights but they are very popular for a corporate event
and company party.
At a wedding party, an Irish ceilidh
band will involve everyone in the fun. The dancing
is pitched at the level of the dancers and will start
off with easier dances to give people confidence and learn
a few of the terms and conventions. Even the shyest of
people will be encouraged to join in and have fun. Ceilidh
music creates the perfect icebreaker, especially when
the audience may not know each other, which is particularly
important at say a private birthday party or a wedding
party. It is quite common for the newly-wed couple to
lead the first dance (if they wish of course) - which
is a nice way to start their married life and some callers
even have specific wedding dances that can help break
the ice.
In addition to playing for the dancing, the bands often
play a musical interlude between the dances from their
extensive repertoire of traditional Irish and Scottish
songs. This keeps the atmosphere flowing and adds to your
evening party entertainment.
It also has the distinct added advantage of allowing all
the dancers to get another drink and to get their breath
back! The relaxed atmosphere that this style of dancing
creates definitely helps people to feel instantly at home
and, whether they're used to dancing or just beginners,
they join in from the very first dance. If you've ever
been to a great Ceilidh before, you'll know exactly what
we mean!
