Céilidh

Céilí ( Irish, Pl céilithe, Scottish Gaelic ceilidh, "visit" ) originally referred to a social gathering of any kind, a party. Today, it refers in Ireland usually a special dance, danced at the Céilí dances. In Scotland, the term usually refers today a stage concert or social event with music, song and dance performances.

History

In Scotland and the north of Ireland, the term originally meant "visit"; e.g. in phrases like "going to a kaley " or "making one's kaley ". In such ceilidhs, among other stories were told, recited poems, sang songs, made ​​puzzles.

The first Irish Céilí in the modern sense was held at the Bloomsbury Hall in London on 30 October 1897. The London Gaelic League visited in search of new activities Scottish ceilidh evenings in London. It was decided that the name céilithe be used for the London evening events, which were based on the structure of the Scottish events. The dances of this first event were " sets, Quadrilles and Waltzes to Irish music". The figure dances today " céilí dance" referred to arose later.

Céilí bands

Beginning of the 20th century originated in Ireland numerous dance bands that played on Ceilis. In part, it was permanent, professional groups, some of the musicians were spontaneously together. The typical instruments were fiddle, flute, accordion, piano, percussion (large and small drum set with wooden block ), banjo and sometimes a bass. The name " Ceili Band " was probably used in 1918 for the first time. The peak of their distribution was in the 1950s. Most bands disappeared, along with the regular Ceilis until about 1980. Individual bands like the Kilfenora Céilí band founded in 1910, still exist today.