www.flyingpieman.org.uk
013398 83631
neil.bayfield@yahoo.co.uk
Why the Flying Pieman?
This is a dance from the wild woolly wastes of Australia, a landscape known in the local Doric as MAMBA (Miles and Miles of B****r All). The dance was invented during the 1960’s by Noreen Grunseit. After becoming interested in folk dancing in Europe in the 1950’s she returned to Australia, started the Bush Music Club and adapted many British dances for local use. It is a version of the Flying Scotsman with the chuffing noises replaced by kangaroo hops and ribald shouting – just the thing after a few lagers! The tune that is most frequently used is an as yet untraced version of an Irish jig. The dance was collected at source by a previous member of the band who spent some years in Strine Land. READ MORE
Tales from NE Ceilidhs : Getting Hungry!
Some people book a band, expect them to turn up early to set up, play for four hours or more and don't seem to notice that we begin to wilt a bit after a couple of hours. Early on we learnt to insert a small but important sentence in our confirmation of booking; “We would be very grateful for a sandwich or other refreshment during the interval”. It has paid dividends. READ MORE
Tales from NE Ceilidhs : Strange gigs
Every ceilidh is different, although some are more unpredicatable than others. We used to find 21st celebrations were nearly always good, but birthdays for 18 years old were a no-no because it was so hard to get them to dance, but then we had a couple of really great evenings with this age group. But every band will have experienced nights when no-one seems to want to dance and others when there is no stopping them. READ MORE
Tales from NE Ceilidhs: Splendid Affairs
Two of the most impressive venues in Aberdeen are the Beach Ballroom and Kings College Elphinstone Hall. For several years we played at the Robert Gordon's University Foreign Students Welcome Ball at the Beach Ballroom. READ MORE
Tales from NE Ceilidhs: Dances from far and wide
As a NE Ceilidh band, our bread and butter is the traditional menu of Eightsome Reel, Dashing White Sergeant, Boston two step, Gay Gordons, Strip the Willow and Virginia Reel etc. that most people know and enjoy, with a few dances such as Cumberland Square Eight from south of the border, and some from Ireland such as Hullihan's Reel and Waves of Tory that are also popular here. Often, particularly for weddings and groups not used to Ceilidh dancing, this is plenty. But if the dancers are having a good time, or are a bit more experienced, we toss in a few dances from further afield. A fun dance is a fun dance no matter where it is from, and can make the evening more interesting for all concerned.
CEILIDH-BLOGS