How long will a ceilidh or barn dance go on for ?

To a large degree,the client calls the shots as to the timings for an event.Generally,a time-frame of 3 to 3 ½ hours (with a break of approx 30/45 minutes somewhere in the evening) works well.That is usually enough for most dancers and about right for the musicians.

A typical night might run something like this – the band starts up at,say,8pm sending out the message that live music and dancing is about to start.After about an hour of music and dancing has elapsed,a break for a buffet or ‘nibbles’ or similar is commonplace…..which the band will also treat as their natural break……then back to the music and dancing until the end of the night at around 11pm or 11.30pm.The majority of the bands work on this type of model.In some cases,bands will play on until Midnight.Other bands consider that 2 x 1 hour dance sessions is plenty….so this can vary a little from band to band.For bands to perform BEYOND Midnight is somewhat unusual and would probably involve extra charges.Also,most inexperienced dancers would find that four hours of dancing,with just a short break,is very tiring if they are not used to it.

And maybe,at this point,we should spare a thought for the musicians.Let’s assume that they have travelled one hour to get to the event.Somebody has,then,already loaded up,travelled and set up the equipment,performed over a 4 hour period…then packs down the gear,loads up again,travels home and unloads the gear to a safe place.For somebody…..8pm till Midnight means….loading the vehicle at 5pm and then his head hitting the sack at gone 2am !!!