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Or E-mail me at:- gilbert@larryanne.freeserve.co.uk

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FAQs.

Q. Where are you based and how far are you willing to travel?

A. I live on the outskirts of a village called Countesthorpe in south Leicestershire. It is ideally situated in the centre of England with quick access to motorways and major routs to most of the country.

Q. Should I book a disco as well as a Ceilidh band?

A. In my experience discos and barn dances are poor bedfellows! If you feel you must, then it is best to have the barn dance first then finish off with the disco. I personally would not accept a booking where the band and disco were expected to do alternating sets.

Q. Do I have to book a band separately?

A. No you don't need to. I can organize a band to fit your requirements.

Q. We have booked a band but have no caller, would you be willing to call with a band you don't know?

A. Yes. If the band has a good repertoire of Jigs, Reels, Marches etc., there should be no problem. Just get someone from the band to contact me.

Q. We are a band looking for a caller. Would you be willing to call for us on a regular basis?

A. At the moment I operate on a first come, first served basis. Give me a call. I'm sure we can come to some sort of arrangement.

Q. What sort of venue do I need for a barn dance?

A. I have worked in village halls, social clubs, hotels, leisure centres, barns, marquees to name but a few, and even outside.
Space is all-important!!! Think, ballroom rather than disco! A large square room with the seating arranged around the edges is best.
The dancing surface needs to be flat and level. A wooden floor is best, but you can dance on carpet, 'Just'. Avoid slippery surfaces, and grass is not a good idea.If you have booked a marquee, make sure it comes with a solid wooden floor or heavy-duty coconut matting.
The band will need a fair amount of room, around 2sq. meters per musician. Some sort of staging will add to the presentation and allow the caller to see how the dancers are getting on.
At least 2, well-earthed, standard 13 amp electrical outlets are also required.

Q. Is a barn the best place to have a barn dance?

A. No! Barns can be dirty, smelly places with dodgy electrics. However some farmers have diversified and converted their barns into banqueting/conference venues. These are usually excellent places to hold a barn dance.
If you intend to use a 'working barn', it must be thoroughly washed down and swept out two or three times, one day before the dance. This will give it time to dry out(water and electricity don't mix)and get rid of dust. Dust is a ceilidh bands worst nightmare! It can seriously damage reeded instruments such as accordions and melodeons, many of which can cost as much as two thousand pounds. Also the amplification equipment would have to be stripped down and cleaned. Very expensive! And the band may have a booking the very next night.
Bands do test the electrical circuit before they plug in their equipment. It is not unheard of, for a band to turn up and refuse to play because a venue is too dusty, wet or the electrical supply is inadequate or dangerous. You would however have to pay the band the FULL fee!

Q. How much will a band and caller cost me?

A. This will depend on how many musicians are in the band and how far they have to travel.
Professional and semi-professional bands will cost more than a hobby band. Prices start from around £300 and go up to about £1000. Most are very reasonably priced between 4 to 5 hundred pounds.
Bands charge a 'Fee' not an hourly rate. You will pay the same if the band plays for 1 hour or 4 hours.
Ceilidhs usually take place in the evening between 7:30 and 11:30 and mostly at the weekend. The band will need a half hour rest break somewhere in the middle.

If you are not sure a barn dance is what you want. Or you need more information. Give me a call or e-mail me. You can be sure of honest answers. I wouldn't take a booking if I thought a barn dance was not suitable for your event.