Dragon Slayers ceilidh

Another night of calling to excellent music. I enjoy a good fiddle and marvel at how different they can sound in different hands.
Don made his sing when we played for the Cathedral ceilidh. Ably backed up by Tony's guitar, John's assorted plucked strings, and Gordon's percussion.

Another birthday

The day after the birthday party with Bernard I called with Hi Jinks for a 21st birthday - a complete contrast.
The first had a lot of small children (grandchildren of the birthday girl perhaps), bright lights, a wild evening, not one for my harder dances.
The second was equally wild but in a more controlled way. So I called all the dances that I hadn't been able to call the night before and they stripped the willow, went on a star trek, dipped & dived and enjoyed the festivities.
It was the second 21st party that Hi Jinks had played for that family - nice when people ask us back.

Ceilidhs with Bernard

Sometimes people are put off by the cost of hiring a band. Quite a big amount to find.  Though not much when you divide the sum between all the musicians and think how long they spend driving, setting up, waiting around, packing up and driving home (plus the short while they have fun playing together - that bit hardly counts as work, compared to the rest). And such good value, Live Music makes all the difference to an evening and hearing the different instruments interact and harmonise adds joy.
But if that is not practical I know a musician who can make his accordion sound as if there is more than one playing, Bernard Cromarty. Not only that, he is a sound engineer by profession, so we are guaranteed to sound our best.

I called with for a birthday party in Frodsham and another church anniversary, in Sale this time. Again people wrote to say they had enjoyed it.

Two ceilidhs with the Time Bandits

A Chester based band I really enjoy working with the Time Bandits had asked me to call with them at the St Philips church 150th  anniversary ceilidh in July. I think people liked it.
October 6th was a splendid day.
3 bands.
The first was the Mere Brass Band who were playing for the rededication of Knutsford war memorial. Tatton Singers were leading the hymns.
Then change into my 'callers waistcoat' for a birthday party in Altrincham. With TheTime Bandits
Lots of nice surprises 'what are they doing with that tune now?' 'Oh, Helen's playing bagpipes' 'now saxophone!' Lots of kids enjoying the music.
Then a dash to Poynton to hear Portland Drive with Geoff Cubitt. An unmissable combination, excellent caller and band. Another splendid fiddler, another saxophone (/flute), more 'what are they doing with that tune now' moments.
Yesss!