Reinforcements Called In for Huge Scottish Dance Party

Media Release

Reinforcements Called In for Huge Scottish Dance Party

With just days to go before the largest traditional Scottish dance party of the year, the finishing touches are being made to the Celtic Pipe Band’s fifth annual Cèilidh with ticket selling fast, and additional band members brought in.

The Cèilidh, this Saturday night, September 21, at 7.00pm is at the new larger venue of Nayland College Hall.

Spokesperson Helen Gilchrist says the event just keeps getting bigger every time and this year they’ve drafted in the talents of members of the Richmond Pipe Band. “Richmond Pipe Band will join us for one bracket. Celtic has been tutoring and mentoring Richmond, giving players a goal to be able to play at the Cèilidh. They have taken on the challenge are looking forward to their performance on Saturday night.”

But what exactly is a Ceilidh? Helen says it’s basically a Scottish dance party where everyone gets to join in the dancing if they want to. The Cèilidh, pronounced Kayleigh, is derived from the word "companion” and is a Scottish social gathering, originally facilitating the courting and prospects of marriage for young people. She says a Scottish Cèilidh appeals to all ages with cheerful and lively music.

Helen says close to a hundred and fifty people enjoyed Celtic Pipe Band’s first ever Ceilidh and this year it looks as though around 350 will join the fun. “Five years ago we decided the best way to raise funds was to do what we love and are good at, and have fun doing it – so what better way than to have a party. Those of us that have lived in Scotland enjoyed the ceilidhs at our local halls with all generations getting together – this is reminiscent of those times.”

The evening’s fun and festivities will be interspersed with performances from Highland Dancers, pieces from the Celtic Pipe Band and even a rock band will join the pipes for one number.

Helen says it’s also an opportunity to try Haggis with a full Scottish supper – haggis, neeps (swede) and tatties (potatoes). The haggis will be piped in with the traditional Haggis Ceremony, with the highly entertaining, Steve Clark, addressing the Haggis with Robbie Burns’ “Ode to the Haggis”.

There will be a cash bar, raffles and even an auction of the band’s old kilts.

Tickets are available from Richmond Mall Information Centre and are just $40 per family (two adults and three children under 18) or $10 a child and $15 an adult.

ENDS

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