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18 Jun 13 - 01:52 PM (#3527589) Subject: Bard Dance band Tunbridge Wells area From: Chris_S Hi folks, I've been asked to help find a barn dance band for a big birthday bash in Tunbridge Wells in September. Has anyone got any recommendations? It will be a mostly non folky audience and I guess few people will be experienced dancers. I would be grateful for any information Chris |
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18 Jun 13 - 01:54 PM (#3527591) Subject: RE: Bard Dance band Tunbridge Wells area From: Chris_S Should of course be barn dance! |
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18 Jun 13 - 02:01 PM (#3527593) Subject: RE: Bard Dance band Tunbridge Wells area From: Will Fly What date, Chris? I play with the Unreel Ceilidh Band - very popular in our area - but we're booked most Saturdays in September. |
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18 Jun 13 - 02:04 PM (#3527595) Subject: RE: Bard Dance band Tunbridge Wells area From: Mo the caller There are lists on Webfeet (sorted by County or alphabetically), or Eceilidh You could also ask on the Eceilidh forum. Good luck,bit too far for me. |
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18 Jun 13 - 02:46 PM (#3527609) Subject: RE: Bard Dance band Tunbridge Wells area From: Chris_S It's Friday 20th September - Will, if you send contact details I can put you in touch with the organiser. And thanks Mo for the weblinks, I'll pass those on as well. Thanks people! |
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19 Jun 13 - 04:26 AM (#3527808) Subject: RE: Barn Dance band Tunbridge Wells area From: GUEST,FloraG Its a bit out of our area - we are North Kent, but I checked and we are OK for that date. We mainly do the local rotary club, churches and schools, and get bookings by word of mouth. Let me know if you can't find anyone closer. FloraG ( Rakes of Rochester band). |
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19 Jun 13 - 05:08 AM (#3527823) Subject: RE: Barn Dance band Tunbridge Wells area From: Mo the caller A bit of thread drift (but it keeps you up the page) I was interested in that 'out of our area' so looked on a Google map. Rochester to Tunbridge Wells is 25 miles (50 mins) by A roads or 37 miles (46 mins) using the M25. Things are different outside London. We travel 18 miles and 35 miles most weeks to dance clubs (30 mins & 1 hour), the one 40 miles away feels a bit too far so we only go occassionally. For calling anything under 30 mins drive feels like a rare treat. 50 miles is the point where I start saying 'twist my arm if you can't find anyone nearer' I believe that dance gypsies in the States travel much further. Friday night gigs are the worst for travelling. If you leave early to give yourself plenty of time you get caught up in the rush hour (M6 in my case). And if some of the band have to get home from work, eat and change before dashing out to get in and set up you're frazzled before you start. And the dancers may also be not at their best if they've travelled after work. |
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19 Jun 13 - 01:32 PM (#3527997) Subject: RE: Barn Dance band Tunbridge Wells area From: Chris_S Thanks for the information Mudcatters - I've passed on website links etc so hopefully the organiser can get on and book something. Flora, I'll let you know if nothing closer works out Chris |
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20 Jun 13 - 04:16 AM (#3528204) Subject: RE: Barn Dance band Tunbridge Wells area From: GUEST,FloraG Mo - we have travelled as far as Wiltshire - but this was a special request as one of our regulars had a son who was getting married. We like to keep it local - we can do local dances and often know some of the punters. Its also nice to be in bed before midnight - but we will do 'late' if requested. It always seems odd to me that often you get a band that will travel 100 miles to a gig while an equally good band are travelling 100 miles on the same date in the opposite direction. Its a bit like food miles. Dance miles. That way we can keep the price down, while supplying caller, PA and 3/5 musos. We seem to get enough bookings. I got 2 repeats and an enquiry about a third just last week. The third could be very intersting as its for a teenager raising money for a VSO type trip. We helped out with the first fund raiser as guests. The teenager and friends enjoyed the dancing part of the evening so much they are thinking of having a full evening of dancing. It could lead to introducing a much larger group of local youngsters to dancing being ' cool'. I'm hoping this one will happen, as I like the idea of passing on the tradition. We have one younger person who sometimes plays with the band, but I have not yet come accross any younger callers. Sorry - this makes me sound a bit pompous - but I like the idea of 'band miles'. FloraG |
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20 Jun 13 - 04:40 AM (#3528209) Subject: RE: Barn Dance band Tunbridge Wells area From: Mo the caller Not at all pompous, I sometimes feel guilty about my dance miles. The trouble with dancing at a club 35 miles away is that 2 of the bands I work with are based near that club so their bookings are centred round there and are sometimes the other side. Being home by midnight would be nice (though very often we are just about packed up by midnight, then a 50 mile drive). The repeat bookings are always gratifying. Hope your teenage one goes ahead. |
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20 Jun 13 - 03:04 PM (#3528380) Subject: RE: Barn Dance band Tunbridge Wells area From: GUEST,Henry Piper of Ottery Rags & Tatters English Country Dance Band with Caller Alan Austen, We still have dates free in September October. Website wwwbarndancekent.co.uk I,m Part of the Band and happy to commute from Devon !! |
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21 Jun 13 - 02:56 PM (#3528770) Subject: RE: Barn Dance band Tunbridge Wells area From: Chris_S The Unreel Ceilidh Band are booked - thanks Will. Thank goodness they didn't want the usual disco type party, this will be a lot more fun. Looking forward to a great evening. Chris |
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21 Jun 13 - 02:59 PM (#3528771) Subject: RE: Barn Dance band Tunbridge Wells area From: Will Fly So are we, Chris! |