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20 Apr 12 - 10:09 AM (#3340843) Subject: HaG meets the Beech band From: Mo the caller Our monthly Have-a-Go session Chester was enlivened last night by an influx of musicians from Chorlton. They didn't quite outnumber us but it was a close thing, and the water boiler couldn't cope with that many teas and coffees all at once at half time. We had quite a few tunes in common, they played some of ours, and lent us their books to play a couple of theirs. Our callers each led a dance, and they brought a caller plus an apprentice, who we heckled while he called his first ever dance. I think he's a natural for it, he'll go far. It would all have been a bit crowded except that some of our members couldn't make it. The Beech Band really added to the atmosphere, hope they'll come again. If anyone took any photos I'd like to put them on our blog. We meet again on Thurs May 17th and then break and resume in September. All welcome dancers, musicians, callers, novices (well that's what we're for) and experienced (we need someone who knows what they are doing). For details see If you would like to call please let me know in advance to sort out music. |
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20 Apr 12 - 12:50 PM (#3340912) Subject: RE: HaG meets the Beech band From: Les in Chorlton A great night Mo! Thanks for putting up with us and letting us muck your tunes and your dances about. I think you have a really great idea - drop in musicians, drop in dancers and drop in callers - best idea since Beginners Tunes at Whitby and even more so Shrewsbury. Best wishes L in C# pp The Beech Band |
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20 Apr 12 - 01:48 PM (#3340938) Subject: RE: HaG meets the Beech band From: Mo the caller Beginner tunes at the Beech wasn't a bad idea either. If you'd started up a few years earlier, when we came back from Chippenham fired with enthusiasm from the Spare Parts Lewes tunes workshop we would have come. Even though it's too far and the wrong night. |
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21 Apr 12 - 10:48 AM (#3341296) Subject: RE: HaG meets the Beech band From: Les in Chorlton Thanks Mo, we play on 2nd and 4th Wednesdays as I think you know and sing songs and play a few tunes, mostly but not exclusively, traditional on 1st & 3rd Wednesdays at the Beech inn, Chorlton (M21 9EG). We have played for 7 or 8 Ceilidhs I think - all for good causes - all well attended with a variable Beech Band of between 20 and 30. Basically we anounce the ceilidhs and hope the band will turn up. We always seem to get a good mixture of squeezers, strings, whistles and so on. I guess one time we might get 12 whistles and 1 banjo but who knows. We are still gathering thoughts about your set up - everbody is keen on giving callers a chance so maybe we will give that a go. Thanks again Les |
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21 Apr 12 - 05:42 PM (#3341437) Subject: RE: HaG meets the Beech band From: Mo the caller It would probably be easier in some ways for you. You have a core of common tunes already which your callers can use. Although we started up with the idea of giving first time callers a chance I think most are improvers who have called to recorded music, rather then absolute beginners, but are increasing their stock of dances, and learning a bit about tunes and how to match them with dances, I hope. |
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22 Apr 12 - 08:47 AM (#3341619) Subject: RE: HaG meets the Beech band From: Gedi Hi Mo, thanks for having us on Thurs, it was a good experience for us to see how other groups such as yourselves operate and it was nice to meet you all. I think its a great idea to give people the opportunity to call and to gain confidence with a small group of experienced dancers rather than jumping in at the deep end by stating at a full celeidh. Also its a good way to try out new dances or to experiment a little, and good to learn new tunes too I hope to come along again sometime, thanks again, Ged. |
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19 May 12 - 11:36 AM (#3352879) Subject: RE: HaG meets the Beech band From: Mo the caller How about a return vist then. Shall Chester invade Chorlton Irish Centre for their Ceilidh on Friday? |