News
Sun 18th July, 2010. I've added another ceilidh chart, comparing the number of ceilidhs per month this year to last year. This chart updates dynamically as ceilidhs are added to the diary.
Mon 5th July, 2010.
I've added a new ceilidh charts page that shows interesting insights into
ceilidhs over the years. I'll be adding more charts very soon, but the first one is up. They all update automatically
as time goes on. There's a permanent link to the charts page on the diary page.
You can also click on the little chart image to get to it, such as the one on the right.
Fri 18th June, 2010. I found some nice pictures and videos online from a recent Assembly Rooms ceilidh with the Thunderdog Ceilidh Band. Euan & Stefan are looking good in the first video, doing the Dashing White Sergeant as a four ;-) Note: you can view the videos in high definition by clicking on "HD" at the bottom right of the video player.
Fri 18th June, 2010. Whatever happened to the Cutting Edge? The Cutting Edge Band is one of my favourites. I've not heard of them playing at any public ceilidhs since the Caledonian Brewery decided they'd rather store beer than run ceilidhs. However, they have been spotted as recently as Jan 2009, as this YouTube video shows. For me they represent the best of modern, up-to-date ceilidh sound. Have a listen - they really are good! It starts as the familiar traditional Dashing White Sergeant but keep listening as they progressively become more and more samba. Absolutely fantastic to dance to! I just wish they'd be booked for public events. For any ceilidh organisers reading this: please book this band!
Thu 10th June, 2010. Added an RSS feed to the ceilidh diary. Now you can be notified in your newsreader when a new ceilidh is added. You'll need a news feed aggregator but there are so many to choose from these days. Most browsers can display news, or you can use an online reader such as Google Reader or, my personal favourite, FeedDemon.
Sun 6th June, 2010. MikesCommunity 2.0 is now live! Testing was very successful so the old site was retired and replaced by this one on Sunday 6th June 2010. Please send your comments about the new site and your suggestions on what you'd like to see here, etc., to Mike by clicking on contact above.
Upcoming Ceilidhs
The following ceilidhs are coming up in the next few weeks. Have a look at the diary to see all future events. And remember, anyone can submit ceilidhs to the diary!
May 2012
Fri 18th, Teannaich, Ceilidh club @ The South Hall, Pollock Halls, 7:30pm-midnight, £10.00 (£8.00 concession), organised by Mark Neal, email: mark@edinburghceilidhs.com. Edinburghs biggest and best regular ceilidh featuring folk rock ceilidh band Teannaich. Top dancing, great bar, great atmosphere and a caller to teach the dances so you can have a great time if its your 1st ceilidh or if you are expert. More details from our website on www.edinburghceilidhs.com. Tickets are available online or from the Queens Hall box office.
Fri 18th, Ceilidh Dancing plus Brazilian and Malawian Music, Teviot Debating Hall, 7:30pm-late, £8.00 (£6.00 concession), organised by Jo Spiller, tel: 07968 599 575. Phone Jo for more information or Buy a ticket online at http://www.puzzlink.com/jigsaw Reminder Teviot usually ask for Photo ID.
Sat 19th, Jimmy Wilson with caller Bett Morrison, Haddington, St Mary's Dance Studio Newton Port Church Hall, 7:30pm-late, £8.00, organised by Bett Morrison, tel: 01620 810 429. Fundraising ceilidh for the Heart Foundation. In Haddington pass Corn Exchange and take left fork in road for 100 yards, turn left past Tesco to venue Church on Corner: Dance studios with lovely floor. Venue holds 150. BYOB and nibbles.
Sat 19th, Skipinnish, Perth Concert Hall, 8pm-10.30, £18.00 (£10.00 concession), organised by Perth Festival, email: info@perthfestival.co.uk, tel: 01738621031. Annual Festival ceilidh, this year featuring the very popular Skipinnish, winners of Scottish Dance Band of the Year in 2009. More info at http://www.perthfestival.co.uk/
Thu 24th, with Sheila McCutcheon Freeland Barbour, Callum Marwick or Neil Simpson, Dance Base 14-16 Grassmarket Edinburgh, 19.15-20.15, £6.50 (£5.50 concession), organised by Dance Base, email: dance@dancebase.co.uk, tel: 01312255525. Ceilidh Beginners Class A chance to learn to traditional Scottish partner dances and join in the ceilidh.
Thu 24th, with Sheila McCutcheon Freeland Barbour, Callum Marwick or Neil Simpson, Dance Base 14-16 Grassmarket Edinburgh, 19.45-21.15, £6.50 (£5.50 concession), organised by Dance Base, email: dance@dancebase.co.uk, tel: 01312255525. Ceilidh Improvers/Intermediate Class Beginning with a warm up in the latter half of the beginners class. For those already familiar with the traditional dances and who are ready to try out the less well-known ones.
Fri 25th, The Big Squeeze, St Bride's Centre, 10 Orwell Terrace, Edinburgh, 7:30-late, £10.00 (£7.00 concession), organised by Tickets from St Brides Centre, tel: 0131 346 1405. Fundraiser for Amnesty, brilliant raffle prizes such as £100 hamper from Fortnum & Mason of London, Cameo cinema tickets, meal at Hendersons etc; Amnesty Birthday Cake from Loopy Lorna's. Details http://www.flickr.com/photos/lindsalba/7171809136
Sat 26th, THE THUNDERDOG CEILIDH BAND, St Bride's Centre, Orwell Terrace, Haymarket, Edinburgh, 8pm-midnight, £8.00 (£6.00 concession), organised by Scots Music Group, email: admin@scotsmusic.org. FUNDRAISER for Scots Music Group. See www.scotsmusic.org/programmes/ceilidhs-2011-12/ for more information and to buy online. Tickets ordered online will be on the door for collection. Full-price tickets on the night are £10/£8 conc. Our monthly ceilidhs are lively, friendly, informal and fun. You’ll be made welcome whether you come on your own or with a party. You don’t need to know what to do – a caller will explain the dances and there are lots of friendly folk to give you a hand and get everyone up dancing. Doors open 7.30pm, dancing from 8pm to midnight. Licensed bar. Please note – only alcohol purchased from the bar may be consumed on the premises. Water is available free of charge
Sat 26th, Stan Reeves and friends, Tollcross Community Centre, 8pm-11pm, £8.00 (£5.00 concession), organised by Nicaragua Learning Exchange, email: nicaragualearningexchange@googlemail.com, tel: 07972 794 351. Advance tickets for £6. Great ceilidh dancing, plus a short Flamenco interlude! All ages and experience welcome. Good value Latin American-inspired food and licensed bar available, plus raffle. Doors open 7:30pm for 8pm start. Advance tickets for £6 (concessions £5) also available online at www.nicaraguale.org
Thu 31st, with Sheila McCutcheon Freeland Barbour, Callum Marwick or Neil Simpson, Dance Base 14-16 Grassmarket Edinburgh, 19.15-20.15, £6.50 (£5.50 concession), organised by Dance Base, email: dance@dancebase.co.uk, tel: 01312255525. Ceilidh Beginners Class A chance to learn to traditional Scottish partner dances and join in the ceilidh.