We are a Ceilidh and Barn Dance Band performing in Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Cheshire and Yorkshire. We have performed at venues in all the major towns including: Accrington, Blackburn, Blackpool, Bolton, Bury, Burnley, Chorley, Clitheroe, Garstang, Horwich, Keighley, Kendal, Lancaster, Leyland, Liverpool, Manchester, Ormskirk, Pendle, Preston, Salford, Skipton, Stockport, Warrington, Whalley & Wigan.
We play at events for both experienced dancers and beginners. We regularly perform at weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, and other social events.
If you would like to book The Riot Band for an upcoming event,
please call Bob Duckworth on 01204 88 4297 or
email us at mail@theriotband.co.uk
What is it all about?
There is sometimes confusion between the terms: ceilidh, country
dance, barn dance and hoedown, we hope to make this clearer for you. Whichever term is used they are essentially the same and are based on inherited forms of folk dancing (you may have done a bit at school). These events are fun and not intended to be serious (you can have a laugh at your own mistakes).
'Ceilidh' is a celtic
word (pronounced - kaylee), a special event at which people
dance to traditional music, especially in Scotland and
Ireland (Ceili). Basically
this is a social dance gathering - a party to most people!
'Barn Dance' or "Country Dance"
is generally to English or American folk music, often played
by a live band, and involving a caller who helps the dancers in
their dancing. Barn Dances are
social events . It is a fun event rather than a serious one".
'Hoedown' is an American term for a similar
event to the ones described above where the dancing is generally
to American folk music.
More recently the terms 'Ceilidh'
and 'Barn Dance' have been used by some people in English Country
Dancing
to differentiate between two strands of bands and dancers. 'Barn
Dance' adopting a more conservative approach, whilst 'Ceilidh is energetic,
vibrant
and fun. 'The Riot Band' certainly
fit the later description.
What will
the caller do?
The caller usually acts as MC for the
evening, chooses the dances and guides the dancers through the
dances, before the band commences playing. During the dance the caller will call out the figures to remind you what to do
- the caller is the link between the dancers and the band".
He or she will
choose the dances and
will concentrate on providing the dancers with an enjoyable night
regardless of the dancers' ability.The
Riot Band works with some of the best callers available and
will choose one to suit your needs or alternatively we will
work with a caller of your choice.
What
will be the structure of the event?
If you need advice on how the event
should run we are happy to help.
We are very flexible in how the
event is run, but things work better if you can give us details
of the arrangements
in advance of the event. It is helpful to have some one designated
to liaise with the band to ensure the smooth running of the event.
The band arrives complete with a PA system,
if the person booking the band requires the band to use an alternative
system this needs to be discussed prior to the event.
We need a safe power supply
for the PA System and we will usually need access one hour before
the event to set up our equipment and do a sound check before your
guests arrive.
If you need to know more
please call Bob Duckworth on 01204 88 4297 or
email us at mail@theriotband.co.uk |
