Ceilidh dancing on BBC Woman's Hour

Subject: RE: Ceilidh dancing on BBC Woman's Hour
From: GUEST, topsie
Date: 29 Jan 09 - 05:06 AM

The clogging item is this morning - within the next 45 minutes.

Subject: RE: Ceilidh dancing on BBC Woman's Hour
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 24 Jan 09 - 12:04 PM

I was just listening to the repeat of the i/v on Weekend Women's Hour while struggling with my online tax return. A point I scarcely remembered (and which hasn't been mentioned in the thread) was the vast amount of work the band did with Asian women in Scotland who want to dance but need, for cultural reasons, to do this in a single-sex environment. It reminded me of the young women from strict Hindu families I met on a factory production line when I had to complete my course as well as eat from time to time. They were allowed out to "work" which to them spelled "freedom".

Subject: RE: Ceilidh dancing on BBC Woman's Hour
From: Jane Bird
Date: 23 Jan 09 - 04:36 PM

The Haddenham feature on Woman's House was okay, and pretty positive. Plus we all learnt that [Hugh Rippon ... "dictates the ritual of touching and feeling" from the psychologist who was commenting on the whole affair ;-)

Subject: RE: Ceilidh dancing on BBC Woman's Hour
From: Folkiedave
Date: 23 Jan 09 - 02:29 PM

Womens Hour-they've been an unexpected and cheerful showcase for many folkies

And there is a programme coming up about clog dancing but I can't tell you when at the moment. I can tell you it was done by the same woman who did the story on Irish women concertina players.

Subject: RE: Ceilidh dancing on BBC Woman's Hour
From: GUEST,PeterC
Date: 23 Jan 09 - 01:53 PM

They have done a feature on eceilidh at Haddenham in the last few months. I missed it myself but I gather that Hugh wasn't impressed.

Subject: RE: Ceilidh dancing on BBC Woman's Hour
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 23 Jan 09 - 12:03 PM

I blame the ghastly Riverdance, myself!

Subject: RE: Ceilidh dancing on BBC Woman's Hour
From: Tootler
Date: 23 Jan 09 - 12:03 PM

I understand the feelings expressed about the impression given that there is no traditional dance in England and that the tunes associated with traditional dance must either be Scottish or Irish and that Jigs and Hornpipes and other such tunes cannot possibly be English. I have come across that attitude in pub sessions myself.

However, don't forget that the word "Ceilidh" is a Scots Gaelic word and was originally used in the Gaelic speaking areas to refer to a social gathering. In effect on this occasion, the BBC are much closer to its original meaning than they would be if it were referring to a dance in England. Especially as the item is in connection with the Burns anniversary.

Subject: RE: Ceilidh dancing on BBC Woman's Hour
From: GUEST,Some Bloke
Date: 23 Jan 09 - 11:54 AM

Please don't upset Womens Hour-they've been an unexpected and cheerful showcase for many folkies (and others) over the years.The stuff's usually live and apparently independent of a certain organisation normally subject to the Countess's vitriol.
They certainly shouldn't be censured for doing a Scottish bit around Burns Night.

Subject: RE: Ceilidh dancing on BBC Woman's Hour
From: GUEST,Meggly
Date: 23 Jan 09 - 08:37 AM

I agree with Topsie.

If this were any other time of year I too would be up in arms and see it as an enforcement of the prevaling notion (in some circles; Hollywood notably) that all British folk music is 'Celtic', but it is Burns night on Sunday (mmmmm Hagis; mine's sitting expectently in my fridge).

Why don't we all write to Woman's hour and ask for a similar feature on 23rd April, or indeed any other time of their choosing.

Subject: RE: Ceilidh dancing on BBC Woman's Hour
From: johnadams
Date: 23 Jan 09 - 08:36 AM

We can be happy when ANY folk music is featured on mainstream media. Ultimately, we all benefit, whatever the colour of the flag attached to our music.

Subject: RE: Ceilidh dancing on BBC Woman's Hour
From: GUEST, topsie
Date: 23 Jan 09 - 08:02 AM

Why should they have to talk about English music in an item about Scottish ceilidhs, tying in with a Scottish celebration - 250 years since Burns was born?
But I'm all in favour of featuring English music at other times, which Woman's Hour certainly do from time to time.
And what about Welsh ceilidh bands? How about featuring Mabon for Saint David's Day?

Subject: RE: Ceilidh dancing on BBC Woman's Hour
From: Leadfingers
Date: 23 Jan 09 - 07:13 AM

I am (THIS time) in agreement with Ms Easby ! The whole slant of the coverage was that a 'Ceilidh' was a purely Celtic occurence , with NO suggestion that there was any form of ENGLISH Dance !

Subject: RE: Ceilidh dancing on BBC Woman's Hour
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 23 Jan 09 - 07:11 AM

The Boat Band would be equally suitable for a 23 April gig regardless of whether they are "good people" or not.

Subject: RE: Ceilidh dancing on BBC Woman's Hour
From: greg stephens
Date: 23 Jan 09 - 07:00 AM

Just because they are women doesn't necessarily mean they are good people.

Subject: RE: Ceilidh dancing on BBC Woman's Hour
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 23 Jan 09 - 06:00 AM

What is "bad" is the perpetuation on network radio of a generally-held belief that English dance music just does not exist.

Subject: RE: Ceilidh dancing on BBC Woman's Hour
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Jan 09 - 05:51 AM

Just because they are Scottish doesn't necessarily mean they are bad people!

Subject: RE: Ceilidh dancing on BBC Woman's Hour
From: GUEST, topsie
Date: 23 Jan 09 - 05:46 AM

The first 'B' in BBC stands for 'British', not 'English', so they are allowed to include items from or about what used to be called 'North Britain'.

Maybe if we all wrote to them and asked for Token Women for 23 April it might work, if Token Women are available then, of course.

Subject: RE: Ceilidh dancing on BBC Woman's Hour
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 23 Jan 09 - 05:23 AM

That might be acceptable if we knew we could look forward to an eceilidh special some time around 23 April featuring Token Women.
Otherwise, it serves to perpetuate the widely-held myth that all dance music on these islands is Scottish or Irish.

Subject: RE: Ceilidh dancing on BBC Woman's Hour
From: GUEST, topsie
Date: 23 Jan 09 - 05:18 AM

It's the Woman's Hour before Burns Night - that's why they have chosen something Scottish.

Subject: RE: Ceilidh dancing on BBC Woman's Hour
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 23 Jan 09 - 05:08 AM

Belle Star

On BBC R4 Woman's Hour. They're Scottish.

Subject: Ceilidh dancing on BBC Woman's Hour
From: GUEST, topsie
Date: 23 Jan 09 - 05:01 AM

BBC Radio 4 - sometime in the next 45 minutes.