The Brackendale Art Gallery (BAG) will be alive with the sounds of traditional Irish music, the floor rumbling to the rhythms of country dance, when the Brackendale Ceili returns for a second season on Friday (Oct. 23).
Vancouver caller Kari-Ann McCullough is joining the Psycho Acoustic Ceili Band, complete with fiddle, concertina and guitar, to guide beginners and seasoned country dancers through a night of hopping and foot stomping.
Last year, the dances attracted people of all ages and skill levels. The live music encourages everyone to find their rhythm and celebrate life through dance. And the community atmosphere is unmistakable, said organizer and concertina player John Gothard.
"[Dance] is something that everybody seems to like and it keeps you in touch with your culture in a mood that people appreciate," he said.
"And it's a lot of fun because there's a bigger age range. We often get people coming down from the university and it's a really good social event, which is what I'm trying to create."
Gothard grew up in Liverpool, England, which has a strong Irish community, and brought the music with him when he moved to Canada in the 1970s. A singer, guitarist and concertina player, Gothard discovered the universality of dancing and its ability to bring people together from all walks of life.
"People associate very easily with dancing. Most people like to dance so it was an easy transition. The tunes were in my head and there were quite a few Irish people here already," he said.
BAG proprietor Thor Froslev said he remembers hearing Gothard for the first time and being blown away by his music.
"It was the best guitar and singing I've heard for years. I couldn't believe I knew this guy for so long and never knew this," he said, adding that Irish country dance nights bring a lot of energy to the gallery.
"It's a hell of a good time."
Gothard will be accompanied by Dave Marshall on guitar and Annie Brown on fiddle. All dances are taught on site by McCullough and there's no need to secure a partner.
The evening starts at 8 p.m. and tickets are available at the BAG and The Bookshelf for $15. Tickets are limited to about 50 people.
According to Gothard, Marshall may be hosting a guitar clinic focused on playing backup guitar for traditional Irish music the following day (Oct. 24). Those interested can enquire the night of the Brackendale Ceili.
