TENTERHOOKS STRING BAND
West Yorkshire
Ceilidh/Barn Dance Band
...are fiddles, bagpipes and cello, plus caller and PA.
Please listen to this short YouTube clip of our playing:
Paul Roberts - fiddle and Border bagpipes
Alison Roberts - Cello
A fully experienced caller from our small panel of callers is included, depending on who is available. Who it is will be confirmed with you before the booking is taken.
Individually we have decades of experience, and together we have played in various line-ups and styles for over twenty years.
Between us we have played at many of the major Folk Festivals, including Broadstairs, Cambridge, Sidmouth, Whitby, and the National at Loughborough.
WHAT DO WE DO?
We
play traditional
English dance music, for English Ceilidh, also known as Barn Dance, Country Dance, Hoedown
etc.
Our repertoire of tunes and dances is mainly Northern English, partly of our own researching from antique fiddler’s manuscripts.We can draw on a good number of other tunes when required.
The twin fiddle, or fiddle and bellows-blown 'half-long' bagpipe, and cello lineup is typical of the old English village bands, as is the driving and rhythmic style of playing, which owes nothing to classical technique.
Our repertoire of tunes and dances is mainly Northern English, partly of our own researching from antique fiddler’s manuscripts.We can draw on a good number of other tunes when required.
The twin fiddle, or fiddle and bellows-blown 'half-long' bagpipe, and cello lineup is typical of the old English village bands, as is the driving and rhythmic style of playing, which owes nothing to classical technique.
WHO FOR?
…for your special event,
party, wedding, parents association, club social,
fundraiser, festival, historical re-enactment,
etc.etc…
We play mainly for private functions, perhaps like yours, where most of our audience have never even seen English Country Dancing, let alone done it. You don’t need to be an expert, our dance-caller is there to show you what to do during the dance. The dances are not difficult, and everyone has fun. We guarantee that you won’t be the only person on the floor with two left feet!
You can have a good evening with as few as twenty people - as long as they are keen and energetic! ...but the more the merrier. It is suitable for all age groups and levels of ability.
It is not necessary to have a DJ for when we are not playing. Indeed we advise against this as it can interrupt the flow of the evening. But it’s your party!
We play mainly for private functions, perhaps like yours, where most of our audience have never even seen English Country Dancing, let alone done it. You don’t need to be an expert, our dance-caller is there to show you what to do during the dance. The dances are not difficult, and everyone has fun. We guarantee that you won’t be the only person on the floor with two left feet!
You can have a good evening with as few as twenty people - as long as they are keen and energetic! ...but the more the merrier. It is suitable for all age groups and levels of ability.
It is not necessary to have a DJ for when we are not playing. Indeed we advise against this as it can interrupt the flow of the evening. But it’s your party!
TERMS
We
are typically available to play for up to four hours,
finishing no later than midnight, and including a half
hour break. Plus we need an hour to set up the PA and
sound-check, and half an hour to take the PA down
again. (Our PA is PAT tested)
We need a space at least 4m by 1m for the band and equipment, four chairs, access to a 3-pin socket, and somewhere suitable for a speaker-stand at either side of the room.
You ideally need enough clear space for at least a couple of sets of energetic dancers; we suggest a minimum of 4m by 4m per set of eight people. And please bear in mind that it’s very hard to dance in high heels!
We are based in West Yorkshire, and regard Manchester, Leeds, Bradford, Huddersfield, Wakefield, Sheffield and Halifax as local, but we can travel further afield into Lancashire, Derbyshire and other neighbouring counties.
We need a space at least 4m by 1m for the band and equipment, four chairs, access to a 3-pin socket, and somewhere suitable for a speaker-stand at either side of the room.
You ideally need enough clear space for at least a couple of sets of energetic dancers; we suggest a minimum of 4m by 4m per set of eight people. And please bear in mind that it’s very hard to dance in high heels!
We are based in West Yorkshire, and regard Manchester, Leeds, Bradford, Huddersfield, Wakefield, Sheffield and Halifax as local, but we can travel further afield into Lancashire, Derbyshire and other neighbouring counties.
CONTACT
Chris via email: christhefiddlerpartington@hotmail(dot)com
TESTIMONIALS
'Didn't get a chance to chat at the ceilidh on Saturday but wanted to say how much we enjoyed it - brilliant sound from such a small band. Great atmosphere.' - R.B.
'It was a splendid gig, with lots of good comments about the band - many thanks.' - P.H.
'I just wanted to express my thanks once again to you all for a wonderful evening of music and dance.I have had many comments from friends and family saying that they really enjoyed the evening.' - S.S.
I'm surprised I was able to dance at all, having spent the whole day in Lancashire learning North-West and rapper at a workshop. It just goes to show. All the best. RB.
'As a caller, it's great to work with Tenterhooks. Really unusual tunes, perfect understanding of dance rhythms and requirements and a lovely "country dance band" feel together with excellent musicianship. Who could want for more?!' - T.E. caller.
