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Ceili!

May 15th, 2005 0

Pronounce as ‘Cayley’

Mike Biggs persuaded me to go to a Ceili Dance. It’s a monthly affair put on by a local group with a charmingly hideous website.

But the dance was really marvelous. The last time I’d done anything even remotely similar was on a class trip in about grade 7.

Music

Live. I appreciate that. The musician in me loves to experience what other skilled musicians create. There were about eight present, playing drums, fiddles, a whistle, and a keyboard.

And Irish music is beautiful. It’s energetic and uplifting.

(Just in case you had them confused, Scottish is the one with the bagpipes, which happen to not particularly dislike, either.)

Learning

Between the person calling the dances and the one person in my party who knew what the story was, it wasn’t that difficult to pick them up. I think we did just about everything except the waltzes.

Proper waltzing is skill I’ll learn at some later point, but Clarke Gable couldn’t waltz, so I guess you just never know.

Friends

The group I went with was exact four gals and four guys, so that worked out quite well for the squares and lines.

I’d put something about it in my MSN name, and when I got home there was a capitalized message on my desktop from Christine S: “YOU COULD HAVE INVITED ME!” So at the next one in September, I’ll advertise. (I don’t feel comfortable promoting something I haven’t tried that costs $12 at the door…)

All Ages

It amazed me the smattering of old folks, middle agers, young professionals, and students. It seemed like the sort of thing that a lot of people get invited to and it sticks with a handful.

I’m pretty sure it stuck with me.

But my calves kind of ache now.

← Earlier Later → Posted at 9:26 pm to Dancing, Waterloo.

Discussion

Isn’t it spelt “Ceilidh”? :)

They’re mad good fun though – I don’t do them very often but when I do I always end up twirling about like a lunatic.

Posted at 5:56 am on May 16th by Olly.
Ceili is the Irish dance. Ceilidh is Scottish.

As far as I know there is not only a difference in spelling but also the dances are different.

Some years ago I used to go to Ceili evenings here in Munich nearly every week until the pub that offered it closed. It was really big fun!

Posted at 7:50 am on May 16th by porti.
Olly: I’m fairly certain that the amount by which one hams it up is directly proportional to the level of fun had.

(Although it can also bring out the sweat if you’re a sufferer of hyperhidrosis)

Posted at 8:15 am on May 16th by Mike Purvis.

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