FAQs: ALL ABOUT BARN DANCES
What is the difference between a barn dance and a ceilidh?
Nothing. They are two different words for the same thing: a celebration of the traditional social dance forms of the British Isles and America. The term cèilidh is Scottish Gaelic (céilí in Irish) and is often used when the event has a Celtic flavour to it. Other terms commonly used are country dancing (particularly in England), square dancing, contradancing and hoedown (North America).
Why have a barn dance?
A barn dance is one of the best choices of entertainment for any gathering. Everyone, from toddlers to grandparents, can join in and have a great time. Plus it is a great social mixer: guests soon find themselves dancing with someone they have not met before (unlike disco dancing which is often done in small groups or even solitarily).
Do you have to know how to dance?
This is one of the fantastic things about it: with The Lairds’ fantastic caller on hand to explain what to do, no prior knowledge of dancing is needed. The caller will usually start with some simple dances to get everyone going. Once the guests are getting the hang of it, more complex dances may be chosen to give a bit more of a challenge.
What about the children?
Nobody loves a barn dance as much as the children. The Lairds’ caller always has a couple of dances on hand especially for them. But children can also join in the main dances from quite a young age. You just try to stop them!
What kinds of dances will there be?
The caller has a range of dances from England, Scotland, Ireland and North America. Most dances use “longways sets” (comprising four, five or six couples), square sets (each comprising of two couples) and circle dances (everyone holding hands in a circle). Popular favourites such as Strip the Willow and the Gay Gordons are usually included. There might be a waltz or two, some called and some “free-style” in which guests can display their waltzing skills to their heart’s content.
Will you play my favourite dance or tune?
When you book The Lairds you are more than welcome to request particular dances or to say if you particularly want a Scottish or Western flavour to the evening. The band can tailor their selection of dances to suit. Of course, special festivals such as Burns’ Night, St Patrick’s, Thanksgiving or St George’s Day will feature dances and music appropriate to the occasion.
What is the best first dance for my wedding?
Many newly-weds like to lead the first dance at their reception. It is your day, so you choose what you would like to do. Some like to dance to their favourite song – in which case, please supply an MP3 player or CD with the track on it and the band would be happy to put it through their sound system. More traditionally, you could request a waltz, which you can lead at the beginning, other guests joining in when they feel ready to. Or you could simply be the lead couple in the first set dance.
It is a good idea to lead the first dance: it sets the mood and encourages others to join in.
What about the last dance?
Especially if you are booking the Lairds for your wedding please let them know how the happy couple would like to leave at the end of the event. There are dances that end with the all the guests escorting the couple to the exit – even out to the waiting vehicle.
Will my guests dance?
Even if your guests have never been to a barn dance before, most will enjoy dancing. That’s not to say that some won’t need cajoling onto the floor for the first time.
Some people enjoy being cajoled!
How can we encourage our guests to get up and dance?
Party hosts (bride and groom; anniversary couple; birthday boy or girl and partner etc) should join in at least the first and last dances, although it’s a good idea to nominate other guests as ringleaders – to be prominent on the dance floor themselves and to help the caller get the dancers to the floor – it makes them feel involved and responsible and it takes that particular pressure off yourself.
People are often shy about being the first on the dance floor but are more than happy to be coaxed into joining in by other guests. Some event organisers employ professional dancers to lead by example, but you don’t need to go that far.
What about music during the interval?
The band come armed with an MP3 player with plenty of suitable background music for the interval, but they are happy to play anything you request – so long as you supply it on CD or mp3 player – through the sound system.
How is a typical barn dance organised?
A full evening’s barn dance normally starts between 7 and 8pm and finishes between 10 and 11pm, with an interval of 20–30 minutes in the middle. Of course, any variations to this pattern can be negotiated with the band. Afternoon dances are also possible.
How and when should refreshments be offered?
Food is usually offered at some point in the evening and this does require thinking about as guests can’t dance if they have just eaten and the momentum can sag if there is too big an interval in the middle of the evening.
One solution (which worked very well at one of our band member’s wedding) is to offer buffet food throughout the evening, if there is room to serve and eat the food away from the dance floor. Then guests can help themselves to food as they please and the dancing can keep going.
How big should the dance floor be?
Make sure the dance floor is big enough and that there are no humps or ramps for people to trip over. It is hard to suggest an ideal floor size as not everyone will be dancing all the time, but as a rule of thumb, allow about 1 square metre per person dancing.
What shoes should our guests wear?
Please request on the invitations or tickets that sensible footwear be worn (stilettos and steel-capped gumboots on the dance floor are both probably a bad idea).
FAQs: WHAT DOES THE BAND NEED?
Does the band need to be on a stage?
The band does not need to be on a raised stage.
Does the band supply a PA or sound system?
Yes. All equipment is PAT tested.
Does the band supply lighting?
No. The band does not supply lighting for the dance floor.
What does the band need in their stage area?
All the band needs is four armless chairs, a small table for the mixer and amplifier, and access to one 13amp power socket for the PA.
How long does the band take to set up?
The band likes to arrive an hour and a half before we need to play. If this will be a problem please say in advance and a more suitable arrival time can be negotiated. There will be a short sound check (about 5 minutes). It takes about 30 minutes to pack up at the end.
Will the band require food or drink?
Bands play better if they are well fuelled. The Lairds request that food and soft drinks be provided during the course of the evening. Please say if this will not be possible.
Payment
Normally a deposit of 10 per cent of the fee is requested in advance, with the remainder paid on the night. Cash payment is preferred but payment by cheque or BACS payment transfers is also possible.
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