Scottish Ceilidh and Ceilidh Dancing

"An informal forum in which there is Scottish or Irish folk music and singing and dancing and even story telling" is how you would find the word 'Ceilidh', described in a dictionary. A Ceilidh (pronounced "Kay-lay", emphasis 1: e syllable) is many things to many people. It originates 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 a dancer, in the Highlands they tend to be concerts. Dances in the Highlands and traditional Ceilidhs in the Lowlands are often referred to as 'Ceilidh Dance' or 'Ceilidh Dance'.

Ceilidh dancing is more relaxed, non-competitive version of Scottish country dancing. Ceilidh dancing is much less formal - its primary purpose is the enjoyment of dance. Scottish Country Dancing is much more oriented towards a demonstration or exhibition. Ceilidh dancing over the last 20 years has become increasingly popular among young people, especially students, and often attract from a few dozen people to several hundred. For many of us to go to a ceilidh goes hand in hand with good company, fun and with a laugh while you swing and tilt with friends on the dance floor with good music.

In the United Kingdom and Ireland, there are a lot of similarity between ceilidh dancing and barn dancing. Chambers dictionary states that 'barn dance', for example, is "a kind of party where music and country dancing, originally held in a barn. "The country or folk dance is associated with a barn dance, dance uses mostly in and around the British Isles, and you may be familiar with the terminology to do-si-do, right hand star and swing your partners, etc. These conditions and instructions also a prominent place in ceilidh dancing.

In simple terms, ceilidh dances tend to be either a partner dance or a dance group, and they also often have calls that shouts the move - which makes a ceilidh ideally suited for novices in an audience. It is a relaxed opportunity to meet and dance with a lot of people, friends, old and new. Because the dances are so energetic, it is usual to pause for a chat and a drink between dances - or you can choose to just watch the other dancers, while soaking up the energy market-charged atmosphere.

Angela Dreyer-Larsen, Director of Dance Trust Scottish traditions, in a recent article in The Scotsman wrote: "There has been something of a revival of the young dancer, instead of just 'shake it all about" on the floor. "Her belief is that young people respond to a" lack of proper dance in their culture. "Perhaps the main reason that Ceilidhs is a very popular form of dance among young people is because it is a relatively simple form of learning - and that means having fun in the process." Nobody will be upset if you take a wrong step, "says Dreyer-Larsen said." They are more likely to kill themselves laughing! "

If you've never been to a ceilidh before, just remember that dance on Ceilidhs is for everyone to dance. Whether you are an expert or a beginner, it does not matter. You could have two left feet, or even three. You could be from Cowcaddens or Katmandu. Believe us, culture, experience, nationality or ability do not enter into the matter. Yes, all are welcome at a ceilidh. It is socially inclusive and break down barriers and builds bridges between participants. Try it ceilidh experience if you have not done so - and you will be surprised how hard it is not to end up permanently on the dance floor.