Culturesall over the world have words to describe an informal gathering of people whodo whatever they can to entertain each other.

Headfor the Hills uses the Irish word, ceilidh(pronounced kay-lee) to describe the Saturday night gathering between dinnerand the dance.  This is our chance forall of us to gather, draw up a chair, settle back, and delight and amaze eachother.

Ifyou’ve been to the weekend before, you’ll know that acts can range from briefto long, from sublime to ridiculous, from comic to serious, from famous toinfamous.  In fact, your act may qualifyyou to be inducted into the Hall of No Shame! (Although bear in mind that there are many children in the audience, soplease keep the shamelessness in check.) Kids and adults alike are welcome to participate. 

Oneof the most delightful benefits of the ceilidh is discovering that someoneyou’ve danced with a hundred times before has a talent or skill that you neversuspected!  So… don’t be shy -- if you’vegot an interest that you’d like to share, don’t feel constrained by thetraditional English/American dance and music theme of the weekend.  We’d like to hear you play “Flight of theBumblebee” on the tuba, recite a Sufi love poem, or demonstrate a cool scienceproject.

Different and Special StuffThis Year

1.  Joke Slots

Therewill be a number of slots during the ceilidh for short, well-delivered, andmaybe even funny jokes.  Jokes will bejuried (that means you’ve got to tell your joke to the emcee in advance).  The emcee reserves the right to steal yourjoke.  There may also be an opportunityto tell a longer story, in stages, at intervals throughout the ceilidh.  Contact emcee Annie Moos (annginette.moos@bhs.org,802-387-1170) if you have an idea for this.

2.  Group Participation Slots

Inkeeping with the idea that this is an informal gathering, not a formal concertor show, group participation is strongly encouraged!  For example, if you’re choosing a song tosing, think about choosing one with a good chorus that everybody can sing.  

Therewill be 2-3 slots during the ceilidh when everybody gets to join in on a groupparticipation activity.  This might besinging, a game, a rhythm symphony or something else that you can lead.  Ideally, this would be short in duration andwouldn’t require special skills, moving out of our seats, or special props orequipment.

ContactAnnie in advance if you would like to lead one of these activities or simplyhave an idea for one.

3.  Room Set-up: Four on the Floor, Three-QuarterRound

Wewill not be using the stage for the ceilidh this year.  Chairs will be set up on the floor in ashallow ¾ circle facing the side of the room, not the stage.  So, there won’t be an “off-stage”.  There will be opportunities to perform actsthat require a lot of floor space either in front of the group or to the side.Sound will be available if you need it. Please plan accordingly, and please tell Annie in advance what yoursound and space needs will be.

Some Categories or Ideas forCeilidh Acts

J    a group or individual musical number – serious or not

J    a comedy skit or mummer’s play

J    a demonstration by a workshop class (or the workshop leader) of whatthey learned in their workshop on Saturday

J    recitation of a poem

J    a song we can all sing together

J    a demonstration of some other form of dance

J    lip synching

J    a gee-whiz science project (ideally, one that works)

Some Examples of PreviousYears’ Ceilidh Acts

J    the California Grapes, singing a contra dance version of “Heard itThrough the Grape Vine”

J    a mummer’s play for children

J    improvisation, using a stick as a prop

J    big band DB and the Bouncers; various rock parodies

J    clogging

J    a Scottish dancing demonstration, including men in elegant skirts

J    two people playing whistles together with interlinked arms (you had to see it)

J    two people playing one violin at the same time

J    a tough bunch of hoods singing a favorite from the 50’s

J    a bridal party named "The Sextets", singing “Going to the Chapel”

J     a hokey advertisement for an amazing product called "Bond-Away"

J    Mr. Bean routine

J   a skit where someone's 'hands' really belonged to someone else

J    Pinkus dancing, an eastern European precursor to morris dancing

J    a smoky rendition of “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes”

J    a smokier rendition of “La Vie en Rose” in French

J    a story told by a young story-teller

J    a bagpipe serenade

J    Goodnight Moon

J    and many, many more! with names such as Larry and the Streetwalkers, The Stumpy Jumpers, and The Pincus Dancers

“Sounds great!! How do Isign up?”

EmceeAnnie Moos would weep with delight if you signed up with her in advance of theweekend.  You can reach her at:

annginette.moos@bhs.org,802-257-2665

Ifyou are like most people and leave it to the last minute, there will also be anopportunity to sign up with Annie on the Friday night and Saturday of theweekend itself.  Please think about whatyou will need for space, amplification, and props (like chairs).

Ifyou have ideas for group activities, a joke you’d like to tell, a potential“serial story”, or skits you’d like to see someone else do (chicken!) – pleasealso contact Annie in advance.

Call early –avoid disappointment!  Because of theopportunity to sign up in advance, don’t delay if you’ve got an act you plan todo.