Looking for a Ceilidh Band

[Alys Torrance]

We're looking for a barn dance or ceilidh band to gallop around to at our wedding in September. We're trying to do everything as locally as possible. Can anyone recommend one?

[Alan Medic]

Try this

You could send a message to the people looking for a venue. They must have had a band!

[womanofdulwich]

i have been to ceilidhs where green ginger performed.

i think they must be quite local.

[Guest]

Green Ginger are great. Could also try Frank Reid or Craigievar; think they're based around London.

There's one band that always squeezes the Pink Panther theme in somewhere but can't remember which.

[Alys Torrance]

Thank you all. Having had a look at these bands websites, I think we're looking for something more English and preferably more wild. My fault for saying Ceilidh rather than Country Dance. Any ideas?

[Alan Medic]

You're going to finally settle on Morris dancing I bet.

[Alys Torrance]

The thought of my mother morris dancing is distressingly hilarious. I think a good english ceilidh should be the right balance of silly and brilliant.

[Sue]

You could try GigCB though they veer towards Breton :) but hey they're local!

Contact is Chris Shaw, 0794 026 9223

If they're not suitable I'm sure he'll know of other people.

Alternatively, Two For Joy, an offshoot of The Magpie's Nest, runs lots of ceilidhs/barn dances, mainly in North London but they've just extended them into South London, I'm sure they'd know of suitable bands for you.

Contact them via their website

http://www.themagpiesnest.co.uk

I think the guy who organises the dances is Joe Buirski, but my memory's crap so I may be wrong :))

If not, Sam Lee can put you in touch with the relevant people.

[Alys Torrance]

Your memory is spot on, Sue. Thanks. That's enormously helpful.

[Sue]

It's just occurred to me that Chris also plays in a band Mistral which I think is a dance band, and I think less Breton orientated than Gig CB though I may be wrong .....

He deffo does things other than French stuff, as he plays melodeon for Old Palace Clog :)

[Pugwash]

The Rye Raving Ranters are a group that the East Dulwich Community Centre and Christ Church have used for Barn dancing.

Not sure where they are based but I know that one of them (Mark) is in ED

[Alys Torrance]

Thank you, again. I'm busy sending out feelers, based on your recommendations. All ideas gratefully accepted.

[ViolinKate]

Hello Alys,

Did you find a suitable band?

I'm in a band called the Lime Quartet. We play a mixture of English, Scottish, Irish, French and Middle Eastern music and have plenty of experience playing at weddings and dances. I'm based in Brixton and the rest of the band are in various parts of London and happy to travel.

I expect you've found someone by now though!