Come out for an evening of high-energy Celtic music and dance - the perfect mid-week way to face the doldrums of dreary mid-November head on.
Lancaster/NYC trad Celtic band THE CHIVALROUS CRICKETS and renowned Philadelphia dance band string trio, MIDNIGHT ON THE WATER, join forces for a traditional Ceilidh (Gaelic: "a social gathering with music and dance".)
Familiar with Square or Contra dancing? This is like that! With shared roots in ancient European folk dancing, Ceilidh is the Irish & Scottish flavored equivalent, featuring longways sets, quadrilles, circles, 2-couple progressive lines and more! If you don't know what any of that means, it doesn't matter, you can still do it!
All dances are taught and called. All ages are welcome to attend. 7-8 years old is the overall *reliable* youngest dancing age ;P
Beginners workshop is from 6:30 - 7. Some basic figures and calls are taught as well as very introductory steps & footwork. (You DON'T need to attempt or master steps to do the dances, but they're sure fun to try if you're into exploring.)
Music & Dancing begin at 7pm. Enjoy two short sets from the bands during dance breaks! Grab a pint to refuel and take in a few ancient Gaelic airs, ballads, sing-alongs and ripping tune sets.
This event is supported in part by a grant from the Country Dance & Song Society for organizations bringing country dancing to communities across the nation. Help us bring twice-yearly Ceilidh to Lancaster (Fall & St. Patrick's Day) by showing up and bringing your Irish ancestry friends & relatives - we know you have them...
Grab your tickets HERE!
What to expect at the show:
>> Doors will open at 6:30 for a beginners workshop. The dancing will start at 7:00pm!
>> Tickets are $15 in advance. As always, we’re proud to present an all-ages show! Tickets HERE!
>> Parking may be available in the small lot across the street. Beyond that, there’s parking available around Buchanan Park and F&M College in the blocks surrounding West Art.
>> Format: This will be a mostly standing room show with limited seating available (Please note that all balcony tickets are seated!). Our space is ADA accessible, and we will do our best to accommodate any specific needs.
>> If you haven't yet discovered the magic of the West Art Coffee⚡Bar, now's your chance! We're open from 7am-10pm daily, with a full and delicious espresson bar menu, along with a lovely selection of beer, wine, and cocktails, plenty of N/A options, and some tasty bites from our favorite local bakeries. Something for everyone, all day long! Come hang out before the show and experience it for yourself!
>> Please note that all ticket sales are final. Thank you for supporting great music!
Tickets HERE!
Band Bios
Hailed for their versatility and depth of presentation, THE CHIVALROUS CRICKETS plays music of the Celtic diaspora with a particular focus on the traditional repertoire of Scotland and Britain. With diverse backgrounds in folk, Classical, Medieval and pop music, the Crickets' skills weave masterfully in a unique and captivating palette. They appear at venues around the country from folk festivals to concert halls, schooners to classrooms, collaborating with nationally-recognized education initiatives, museums, orchestras, music camps, nature preserves, PBS and more to help audiences of all ages experience Celtic folklore, music and dance.
Philadelphia-based MIDNIGHT ON THE WATER is a virtuosic trio of string musicians from a post-apocalyptic dimension where artists still have a good time while developing new traditions from the ashes of civilization and figuring out how to survive. With repertoire spanning traditional Celtic, Scandinavian, improvisational, Jazz, Classical and original, their one-of-a-kind sound is garnering wide attention. They have performed and taught at the Ashokan Center, Jay Ungar and Molly Mason’s Quiet Room, Folk College, Andrew Clearfield's Szalon and countless contradances and gatherings.