Hey, here’s a question I don’t think I’ve seen before & Im genuinely interested in the results.
Do any of you folks hold Ceilidh’s at your houses?
Something like:
http://www.geocities.com/celia_sams/kitchen.htm
My wife & I are planning informal ones in our home starting this winter!
The classic , bring your instrument & let’s have lots of fun thing.
What the hek else is there to do in Maine in the winter anyway!
So, anyone else doing these?
Its a great idea, but there’s lots of work to do for the hosts. Also, make sure you know who is coming, as there’s no better way to advertise what you own to the wrong element.
djm
Oh this is really informal.
Initially, we’re inviting folks we know & asking that if they’re coming, to bring…xyz
Fairly low maintenance on us…we hope
We’re pretty excited, as there really isn’t anything of this sort anywhere around here. (that I know of)
I think we’re breaking new ground for this area, as we Mainers tend to keep to ourselves quite a bit.
cheers!
When my wife and I lived in Maine in 2001-2004, we and a number of friends had Cape Breton inspired house ceilidhs fairly often. What we found was that it takes a committed core of folks. We invited folks by word of mouth.
We had lots of fun with both music and socializing and usually had some very good snacks.
It wasn’t much work except encouraging folks to attend. We found lots of people with musical ability who weren’t interested in this type of function.
Best, John
Excellent.
That’s what we’re aiming for!
We have not had a ceili here at Tommy K’s Ceól Hole. We feel there just isn’t enough room. If someone can tell me how to make it work in a 1919 bungalow, please do.
t
hm, well we have a 1913 Cape..
decent sized living room, woodstove(great for pipes ;-] )
and enthusiasm!
You could always put up a pavillion tent in the back yard. Interesting at 10° below and a gale blowing. 
djm
It’s a staple of entertainment here in Eastern Canada, we call them kitchen parties. With an open invitation to community musicians, you’re bound to find different disciplines and musical tastes. Not like a true ‘session’, but utterly enjoyable just the same. It doesn’t have to be too much work on your part if you keep it pretty informal, and they help with costs, snacks, (ehem) beverages.
Though I do agree that to make it a regular event, you need a core group with good attendance.
Tommy, how big is your venue? I’ve seen some small rooms host pretty good times.
Best of luck!
Ish. That is triggering a painful flashback to a St. Patrick’s Day tent gig I had. Outside gigs, in Minnesota in the middle of March…what are people thinking? 
Ugh!! I had one of those experiences also - only in Indiana. Horrible, horrible!!
we have been doing this now for a few years, here in putnam county ny,
a group of musicians get together every second week, theres five houses that alternate for the gathering, usually we have the same musicians, about
eight and now and againn we get a visitor, it starts about mid october and continues to the end of march, great to get together and play some music, have a cup of tea or coffee, and chat about the tunes, and when someone brings a new tune now and then it becomes the topic for awhile if it is an original.
I hear that Royce arse has one every year involving two houses, his and his parents In Brooklyn Park Minnesota. This year I hear it’s going to be on January 27th. They call it “Up Helly Aa” some Shetland Island thing. They have a boat and torch parade down the street and light up a Viking long ship in the backyard. Then they eat and play tunes.
It kicks off at 7:00 at night and it’s usually around zero farenheit or below but the large, semi-legal fire makes up for it a bit.
Sounds like a blast.
I’d love to do something like that. We have a nice big living room, lots of musicians would fit. I live at least an hour from anybody else who would be interested though, so it’s easier for me to go to them, 'cause they all live fairly close to each other. I think some of them do go to someone’s house an play sometimes, but only a few who are particularly good friends or something. I think it’s hushed up to keep out the rif raf. 
that’s usually about the time a good blizzard passes through minnesota too. I should know . . . I had many a snowed-in spring break. 
rgouette, I hope I’m invited! Just kidding. I don’t know if I would be travelling that way. I’m glad to hear you’re planning stuff like that. Sounds fun.
Howdy “neighboor!”
Does anyone do…
I’m not certain, but I heard that Debbie does…
to quote Mrs Gardener in Pride and Prejudice,
“my dear Mary, this is hardly helpful” (substitue Joseph for Mary)
;-O
That must’ve really confused the baby Jesus.