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tonycoogan
Posts: 3
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Posted:
30 Sep 2006 at 09:15 |
A Brief History of the Scottish Ceilidh and
Ceilidh Dancing
"An informal social gathering at which there is Scottish or Irish folk music and singing and folk dancing and even story telling", is how you would find the word 'ceilidh' described in a dictionary. A Ceilidh (pronounced "Kay-lay", emphasis on 1st syllable) is many things to many people. It derives from the Gaelic word meaning a 'visit' and originally meant just that. It can also mean a 'house party', a 'concert' or more usually an evening of 'informal Scottish traditional dancing to informal music'. Ceilidhs in the Lowlands tend to be dances, in the Highlands they tend to be concerts. Dances in the Highlands and traditional ceilidhs in the Lowlands are often referred to as 'ceilidh dancing' or 'ceilidh dances'.
Ceilidh dancing is a more relaxed, non-competitive version of Scottish country dancing. Ceilidh dancing is much less formal - its primary purpose being the enjoyment of the dance. Scottish Country Dancing is much more orientated towards being a demonstration or exhibition. Over the last 20 years, ceilidhs have become increasingly popular with young people, particularly students, and often attract from a few dozen people to several hundred. To many of us, going to a ceilidh goes hand in hand with good company, fun times and having a laugh while you swing and jig with friends on the dance floor to great music.
In Britain and Ireland, there is a fair amount of similarity between ceilidh dancing and barn dancing. Chambers dictionary states that 'barn dancing', for example, is: "a kind of party at which there is music and country dancing, originally held in a barn". The country or folk dancing associated with a barn dance, uses dances mostly from within and around the British Isles and you may be familiar with terminology such as do-si-do, right hand star and swing your partners, etc. These terms and instructions certainly also feature prominently in ceilidh dancing.
In simple terms, ceilidh dances tend to be either a partner dance or a group dance, and they also frequently have callers who shout out the moves - which makes a ceilidh ideally suited for novices in an audience. It's a relaxed opportunity to meet and dance with a lot of people, friends old and new. Because the dances are so energetic, it is quite usual to pause for a chat and a drink between dances - or you can choose to just watch the other dancers whilst you are soaking up the energy-charged atmosphere.
Angela Dreyer-Larsen, director of Scottish Traditions of Dance Trust, in a recent article in the Scotsman wrote: "There's been a little bit of a revival of young people dancing, as opposed to just 'shaking it all about' on the floor." Her belief is that the youth are responding to a "lack of proper dancing in their culture". Perhaps the main reason that Ceilidhs are such a popular form of dancing among the young is because it's a relatively easy form to learn - and involves having fun in the process. "No one gets upset if you take a wrong step," says Dreyer-Larsen. "They're more likely to kill themselves laughing!"
If you've never been to a ceilidh before, just remember that the dances at ceilidhs are for everyone to dance. Whether you're an expert or a novice, it doesn't matter. You could have two left feet, or even three. You could be from Cowcaddens or Katmandu. Believe us, culture, experience, nationality or ability don't enter into the proceedings. Yes, everybody is welcome at a ceilidh.
© 2006 www.scotlandsceilidhband.com
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Jack Campin
Posts: 1191
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Posted:
30 Sep 2006 at 23:04 |
"Kay-lay"? Who says it that way?
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tonycoogan
Posts: 3
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Posted:
22 Nov 2007 at 09:04 |
If anyone is wanting further information on the history of scotlands ceilidh music, visit the Scotland's Ceilidh Band site and we'll forward you details. - Tony
Scotlands Ceilidh Band |
EFCinfo
Posts: 1562
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Posted:
22 Nov 2007 at 09:29 |
" "Kay-lay"? Who says it that way? "
That guy Fish who used to be in Marillion (A poor man's Genesis) for one. :-) |
the cat
Posts: 684
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Posted:
22 Nov 2007 at 09:30 |
| As Jack rightly points out, it is not pronounced Kay-Lay, Kay-Lee is closer. Ceilidh's are obviously different to each other even in different areas of the Highlands so apart from the pronounciation the description is pretty decent. |
EFCinfo
Posts: 1562
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Posted:
22 Nov 2007 at 09:31 |
| Boula2 is the expert. I'll wait for his verdict. :-) |
tattiemannie
Posts: 636
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Posted:
22 Nov 2007 at 12:55 |
| Kay Lee????? Naw!! |
domhnull
Posts: 517
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Posted:
22 Nov 2007 at 14:06 |
In my ignorance I pronounce it 'ceilidh'. But then what do we native speakers know......?
D |
westmail
Posts: 674
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Posted:
22 Nov 2007 at 15:53 |
| I pronounce it Broos Lee but what do I know? Fergie Macdonald Ceilidh Dance Band.Partick Burgh Hall tomorrow night £9 Doors open 7.30pm. also TMSA Singaround hosted by Anne Neilston and Gordeanna McCulloch. |
Odd one out.
Posts: 76
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Posted:
22 Nov 2007 at 22:08 |
I think you'll find Fish pronounced it "Kay-Lee" because that's what he was singing.
The name Kayleigh, a completely different thing.
There are similarities between Genises pre Phil Collins and Marillion I'll admit, but it's an unfare put down to call them a poor mans Genises.
Fish is in my opinion a great lyricist and a pretty good composer.
I remember at the age of about 13 going to a festival at Leuchars which Marillion were headlining,
Run Rig were the second last band on, just before them and I had got to the front row, as being young and small (oh yes, and cute) people were happy to let me infront of them.
The main thing I remember about that day is watching Run Rig and thinking, when will this rubbish be finished and I can see Fish!
Now that's one to get boula2's hackles up!!
I was only 13 though and didn't know any better at the time,
But I do still think Marillions version of Loch Lomond is much better! |
skelters
Posts: 100
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Posted:
23 Nov 2007 at 13:27 |
Is this Genesis before or after P*** "The Master of all things Bland" C****** ?
Even the mention of his name brings me out in a cold sweat.
He's fair put on a bit of weight and got hairier over the years. Good to see that he's now earning a crust on the telly with that chocolate advert. |
tattiemannie
Posts: 636
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Posted:
25 Nov 2007 at 03:50 |
Help me!!! My wee boy has just discovered P*** C****** .... and he's a big ( though hes actually quite wee ) Runrig fan .... How do I stop him becomin a drummer? should I buy him a bodhran and hope this suddenly drives him tae find renewed pleasure in his Power Rangers toys?
... Anyway , apart from that wee prob, and in connection with the thread .... how do we pronounce 'gaelic' ..? |
domhnull
Posts: 517
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Posted:
25 Nov 2007 at 09:49 |
Both ga-lik and gaylik are correct; take your pick. The former is the Scottish version, the latter the Irish. This follows from the pronunciation of Gaidhlig and Gaelige in their respective countries.
D |
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