Dance - Ceilidh

I ask Gill Emerson what the difference is between a barn dance and a ceilidh. “It depends who you’re talking to,” she says. “For some people a barn dance is English through and through, for others it’s an American thing. A ceilidh is either Scottish or Irish, and that is reflected in the music that is played, and the style of dancing. It’s quite a different thing.” Gill is the caller of ‘The Ceilidh Crew’ and has organised the second of the group’s bi-monthly sessions at the All Saints. “The show this weekend will have a particularly Irish flavour to it, as it is part of the St Patrick’s weekend celebrations,” she says.

I wonder how expert dancers need to be in order to enjoy the experience, still cringing from an experience nearly two decades back in Dublin. “Last time there were just under 100 dancers there, from experienced ceilidh lovers to outright beginners,” she says. “The art of my role is to make sure that everybody is comfortable, and having fun. There’s always a practice session and a slow run-through for beginners and I keep calling advice throughout the dance, when it’s needed. Everybody who came last time is very excited about coming again.” All ages are welcome; there’s stew and potatoes on sale and a bar run by the Southover Bonfire Society. Gill’s calling is backed by the considerable musical talent of the vastly experienced ‘Crew’: Tim Coterill on fiddle, Nick Peachey on accordian and Jo May on percussion (and in particular the bodhran). AG