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Hijinx Ceilidh Band ...
A versatile folk trio based in Mid-Wales.
We play traditional Celtic, Continental and American music for
sit-down (if you can!) performance, or dance.
For ceilidh dancing, we provide an excellent dance caller.
We have one aim ... to give your ears and feet a
hell-of-a good night!!!
... for weddings, receptions, parties,
festivals and special events ...
Play an audio clip of HiJinx - That was great, play another !
- All a bit too hot? Here's one to calm the senses
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What is a ceilidh and why have one?
Ceilidh dancing is ideal for all sorts of social occasions. It gets everyone mixing together, even if they’ve never done this sort of dancing before and don’t know the other people. It's fun for all ages, from small children right through to grannies and grandpas. We provide an experienced dance caller, to ensure that everyone gets involved and has a good time.
Wedding ceilidhs:
Not only is a ceilidh great fun at a wedding, it is probably the best way of mixing the bride and groom's families and friends together. We clearly talk through all the dances throughout the evening allowing everyone to participate. With our combination of professionalism, musicianship and experience, the bride and groom can relax and enjoy the evening, relying on us to make their reception a success. Our compère and expert 'caller' encourages wedding guests onto the floor and guides them through every dance while adding a touch of humour to the evening.
Dancing usually follows the meal and speeches. Typically allow an hour for the speeches and time for the meal to go down before the ceilidh gets going.
Also, bear in mind we need up to an hour to set up the PA equipment and do a sound check.
Unless we are setting up before people arrive, please ensure access for us to get to the stage and set up. A raised stage area of around 4 x 5 metres is ideal.
Practical tips on holding a public event:
Entertainment licence. Your venue, a village hall for instance, will need an entertainment licence. It may already have a general licence which includes live music, but if not your County Council licensing officer can issue a music specific licence. The maximum number of seated/standing bodies allowed in the hall will be specified for safety reasons.
The licence can make stipulations as the authority sees fit. For instance, they may require that the entertainer's electrical equipment is PAT safety tested (HiJinx's equipment is) and that the entertainer has public liability insurance (HiJinx have).
Making a great night. Obviously you want to get a good crowd. One way to do this is to make it more of a night out, by including some food, such as a ploughman's supper, which isn't too much trouble if a few people chip in to help. Then you can have a bit of dancing, a break for food and socialising, then more dancing - twice the fun!
In the venue, create a nice ambience. Those horrible fluorescents really don't get people in the mood. Coloured lighting; fairy lights; a few flower arrangements; paper chains - children love decorating halls! Most village halls have coloured stage lighting - worth making use of.
Pricing. As for pricing, £6/head is typical. Perhaps £3 for child/concession, or a family ticket for £16. With a ploughman's supper it would be about £9/adult; £5 concession; £23/family.
Running a bar is a good fundraiser and makes things more sociable too. Nothing fancy is required - the village hall hatch will do - include soft drinks for younger revellers. Be sure that your licence covers a bar. Another useful fundraiser is a raffle - they add to the fun and it's not uncommon for them to make enough money to pay the band!
Publicity is the key to a great event. A press release to the local papers is free. Local arts and events magazines will usually offer free event listing too. Posters up 3 weeks in advance, on noticeboards/shop-windows/library/village hall; local information web-sites; road-side T-boards and door to door delivery work well. Leave flyers in local shops/pubs/schools and circulate details by email. But by far the best is enthusiastic word of mouth! Ask local groups, like the WI and coffee-mornings, to make an announcement. It's always more successful to sell tickets in advance. A small group of individuals each selling to family, friends and colleagues soon fills the hall.
So, how much does it cost to book the band? The fee depends on the length of the performance and how much travel is involved. For a no obligations quote email Kitty, or phone 01686 625039.
Underwriting. In our experience, ceilidh events are always well supported so long as the publicity is done, but for village halls or community groups it may be worth getting in touch with the Night Out scheme on 029 2037 6540; www.nightout.org.uk. They will sometimes underwrite your event and can help with tickets.
And remember ... everyone will be asking when the next one is!
HiJinx Ceilidh Band has a Green Policy
© Garry Saady / HiJinx Ceilidh Band
keywords: HiJinx Ceilidh Band, ceili, barn dance, bands, dance, wedding, traditional music, celtic, irish, folk, Powys, Dyfed, Ceredigion, Shropshire, Marches, Wales, UK, Montgomeryshire, mid-wales, festival, fiddle, mandolin.
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