Saturday, December 3, 2011

Great Céili, and now an Accompaniment Workshop!

Huge thanks to everyone who came, played, danced and ate cake at last night's Christmas Céili! It was a joyful night and raised just over $500 towards the 2012 Maleny Celtic Winter School, a resounding success!

I especially want to thank those people who made cakes for the night, and gave their time and equipment to make it all work. Huge thanks to Davydd McDonald (our Irish caller) and Mary Davidson (our Scottish caller), without whom the dancing wouldn't have happened. Even though I brought party tooters, I totally forgot to announce its Davydd's birthday tomorrow (Monday), so HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAVYDD!!!

Great news for Tunes Class - Jem Dunlop will run a workshop on accompanying Irish tunes at the Tunes Class on Wednesday 14 December, so if you would like to integrate some good ideas about accompaniment into your playing, DON'T MISS IT! We will be working from chord charts which Steve prepared for the ceili last night, and our sets will really blossom. There will be copies of the chord charts available this Wednesday for you to take away and play with. We will combine melodies and accompaniment by the end of the night. Tell all your strumming friends this workshop is on - of course everyone is welcome.

And wasn't it wonderful when we played for dancers last night, and the rhythm of their feet helped us find the groove and the tempo? That's what its all about!