Susan's sister-in-law chose to get married in Anstruther's famous Craw's Nest Hotel. Of course, Abigail recruited the help of Jiggered Ceilidh Band to provide the music. We'd been asked to learn Deacon Blue's "Dignity" for the bride and groom's first dance. It was really well received- so much so we did it at the end of the night too!
Some fantastic fish and chips at the break and some big news for the future of Jiggered Ceilidh Band- watch this space!!
Posted at 20:16 on 11th May 2012 by Chris Smith
Clarkston Bowling and Tennis Club was the venue for Jiggered Ceilidh Band's latest gig. Tina and Alistair were celebrating their 40th birthdays and had invited loads of friends and family along to join them. The place was packed with loads of energetic dancers including a squad of kids who were loving the party atmosphere: running about like crazy, bursting balloons and of course dancing along to Jiggered's magic music! We did a few dances that we haven't for a wee while including the kids' ceilidh classic the Flying Scotsman (woo woo)!
Posted at 20:04 on 22nd April 2012 by Chris Smith
I really enjoy playing at the National Piping Centre, Glasgow...it's easy to get to in the centre of Glasgow, has good access for the band, it is a lovely old building with lots of character. What more could I ask for? How about a roll and tattie scone at the break...? Superb.
Julie and Oli had Come Away With Me (Norah Jones) for their first dance- the same as our last wedding. It's ideal for the bride and groom to waltz around to- a fine choice.
We're back out gigging tonight. Woohoo!
Posted at 19:58 on 21st April 2012 by Chris Smith
If you're looking for a ceilidh band for your Hogmanay Function, you'll be excited to hear that Jiggered Ceilidh Band have yet to be booked up for New Years' Eve 2012. Jiggered have heaps of ceilidh experience and have played all over for Hogmanay parties in their 10 years of ceilidhing. Please get in touch soon if you want to snap up Jiggered on 31st December- it's always the evening we're most in demand for!!
Posted at 19:55 on 6th April 2012 by Chris Smith
There's a particular stretch along Loch Lomond which is lined with popular wedding venues...about 1 mile apart you'll find Cameron House, Duck Bay, Loch Lomond Youth Hostel and the Cruin. We've played at all of these and last night it was the Cruin. Andrew and Louise had booked up Jiggered Ceilidh Band to provide the entertainment for the evening and everyone seemed to approve of their choice of band!
Andrew and Louise had been busy learning their first dance- a very classy waltz to Norah Jones' Come Away With Me. After that, the dance floor filled with guests keen to ceilidh. There were lots of first-time ceilidhers but with Jenny's expert calling and some very quick learners, you would've been forgiven for thinking this lot were ceilidh veterans!
Happy Easter from Jiggered!
Posted at 8:27 on 6th April 2012 by Chris Smith
Maybe "drought" is a bit of an exaggeration- but two weekends off is a rarity these days for Jiggered Ceilidh Band. We're approaching 10 years of providing ceilidhs and are as busy as ever!
This weekend we visited East KIlbride (the Murray Owen Centre to be precise) to play a ceilidh for Susan's friend Heather who was organising a fundraiser to raise money for a couple of worthy causes. Both were geared towards helping out folk in Africa.The night was a great success with a heap of money raised. The buffet was superb- honestly still stuffed almost 24hrs on! It was also nice to see Ewan being dragged onto the floor for a waltz (good job Karen)!
Posted at 18:30 on 1st April 2012 by Chris Smith
This was the 4th year that Jiggered Ceilidh Band have played at Larbert Pentecostal Church's annual ceilidh. Last night was a really enjoayable ceilidh as ever!
The dancers were in fine form tonight...with some classic freestyle. For the Virginia Reel a couple of sets replaced "forward two three clap clap" with "forward two three shimmy shimmy". Brilliant!
During the night, Ewan was showing off with the worst iPhone app you have ever seen. It's meant to analyse your photo to show which celebrity you look like. Instead it appears to just churn out Natalie Portman for pretty much every girl...
And this was the first ceilidh since Susan's 30th! Her card read "Hope we're still ceilidhing when we're 40!".
Posted at 0:30 on 11th March 2012 by Chris Smith
A first for Jiggered last night: a wedding a youth hostel. Loch Lomond Youth Hostel isn't your typical youth hostel- check it out online and you'll see it's an impressively grand building and inside it has loads of space! Jonny and Sabine had booked the whole place out for the wedding- an entire weekend of activities with their friends and families!
The evening was lots of fun- we played a couple of ceilidh sets and every square inch of the dancefloor was packed with super-enthusiastic dancers...During our break there was the culmination of the weekend's races, the much anticipated wheelbarrow race. Given that the eight finalists featured seven kilted gents and one girl in a dress this was a recipe for some hilarious flashing (although the contestants were offered some over-sized pants to maintain a sliver of dignity)!
At the end of the night, the couple cut their cakes- a Dr Who Tardis and a log which they caught with a saw. Sabine and Jonny seemed to have had a brilliant day and had certainly provided lots of personalised touches to make this a truly unique wedding! All the best guys.
Posted at 9:24 on 4th March 2012 by Chris Smith
Jiggered Ceilidh Band's latest ceilidh was a memorable one for lots of reasons! It was a return to a venue that is becoming one of our most frequently visited: Troon Concert Hall. We were playing again for the excellent charity Smiles and the hall was packed with a predominantly young crowd who were really up for a ceilidh!
There was an accident on the A77 with traffic ground to a halt, so the event started about 30minutes later than planned but when it did the floor was filled and the crowd jumping.
Ewan managed to win a Kindle in the silent auction. I'm worried this will fuel his irrational belief that he is "good at raffles".
Expect some video footage to be added to our Youtube Channel soon.
Posted at 9:19 on 25th February 2012 by Chris Smith
Troon Blackrock Pipe Band were hosting a fundraiser at Troon Concert Hall last night. There was no shortage of musical talent in the crowd- if the glittering array of trophies wasn't proof of that enough the evening was punctuated with great performances from pipe/drum band, piper duets, a young sword-dancer called Lucy...
So it was an honour for Jiggered Ceilidh Band to be invited to perform for the Fundraiser. We played a couple of sets and during the break we sneaked out for a Chinese takeway (yum). It was a fun night and I enjoyed catching up with an old pal (Stephen), a former pupil (Jordan) and one my good friend Lynne too (and her non-dancing husband Derek)!
Posted at 9:43 on 19th February 2012 by Chris Smith
This weekend Jiggered Ceilidh Band rolled into town (the town being Newmilns- "where?!"). We were delighted to be playing for a fundraiser for a group of 5 friends who are going out to the Philippines in April to build shelters for poor people in Smokey Mountain.
The evening was brilliant- the Morton Hall was packed with supporters, the floor was packed with dancers, the hall was resounding with the fine tunes of Jiggered, the buffet was overloaded with tasty grub, the candy stall was too tempting, home-made Valentine cards stall was a life-saver for me (Elaine will not be left card-less this year)...It was a great night. Even managed to get a couple of new videos of folk dancing away to Jiggered. On Youtube you can watch our Canadian Barn Dance and Strip the Willow! Enjoy!
Posted at 13:54 on 12th February 2012 by Chris Smith
First of all, the photo accompanying today's blog was taken at last night's venue: Pollokshaws Burgh Hall (which has a great-sized dance floor and brilliant access too...we quite like it!). As you'll probably know by now, Jiggered Ceilidh Band like to weave in songs to their dances. Was this notice in Pollokshaws Burgh Hall a sign that we should be introducing our version of MC Hammer's Can't Touch This into our Virginia Reel...doo doo doo doo- doo doo- don't touch this (reel)? I think it's highly doubtful that Jenny, Susan and Ewan will go for this.
Anyway, last night's event turned out to be a wedding party for Martin and Laura who got married in December. And at least a couple of former Jiggered clients were there and we chatted to them...
Next event is the fundraiser in Newmilns- please come along if you can (details here)!
Posted at 9:11 on 5th February 2012 by Chris Smith
...unfortunately, we didn't make it to the actual New York wedding of Joe and Lena! But when they planned a wedding party back in Scotland, they called on Jiggered Ceilidh Band to provide the entertainment at Pollokshields Burgh Hall, in the South Side of Glasgow (we've played here a few times now).
During the evening guests enjoyed some ceilidh music from us, disco music played throgh our PA (including Ewan's favourite, the Slosh), speeches from Lena's dad and Joe, a buffet, wedding cake and a wee slideshow of photos from the Big Day in the Big Apple.
The groom was complimenting us at the end of the night and asked how long we'd been playing as a band. When we told him we'd reach 10 years in October, he noted that we'd been together longer than the Beatles...They weren't as popular at ceilidh events, though.
Posted at 9:03 on 29th January 2012 by Chris Smith
We're often asked "when can I come to hear Jiggered Ceilidh Band live?". Maybe you're not the type of person who enjoys crashing a wedding just to enjoy some top class ceilidh music. Maybe you would feel a bit awkward forcing your way into someone's surprise 50th birthday party just to hear Scotland's finest ceilidh band in action....
Well, your prayers have been answered. We are playing a ceilidh on 11th February 2012 which everyone is welcome to come along to- so if you are looking for a fun night out or to check out our band you should get yourself a ticket (best of all, the money is going to a superbly worthwhile cause):
Valentines' Ceilidh Fundraiser on 11th February 2012 at 7:30pm in the Morton Hall, 123 Main Street, Newmilns, KA16 9DJ to raise funds for a house building project to the Philippines in April 2012! The team includes some of our good friends and no fewer than 3 of Chris' family members! Buffet and live band included in the £15 ticket price, over 18s only. If you are looking for tickets, please contact Jiggered directly (jiggered@hotmail.com).
Hope to see you there!
Posted at 19:45 on 22nd January 2012 by Chris Smith
A hugely enjoyable evening tonight. Jiggered Ceilidh Band were delighted to be re-visiting Destiny Church. We are always looked after really well (given a wee "green room", provided drinks, haggis, neeps and tatties, popcorn), the sound guys were brilliant, the place is packed and the dance floor jumping. Lydia had booked us and did a great job of coordinating the evening.
Our roadie for the night was Charlie and she is looking forward to joining the Jiggered lineup soon! And it was also nice to bump into a former Maths student of mine (Danielle).
There were no answers to a very suspicious story Ewan had fed us about Destiny's Child ;)
Posted at 23:03 on 21st January 2012 by Chris Smith
Jiggered Ceilidh Band were back in Troon (it's fast becoming one of our most frequented towns!). This time we were singing "Happy Birthday to you" to the birthday girls, Emma and Joanne who turn 18 this month.
It was a brilliant night- the crowd were young and lively. They filled the floor all night and four hours of ceilidh still didn't manage to completely sap all their energy from them!
First gig of 2012- off to a flier!
Posted at 0:30 on 7th January 2012 by Chris Smith
Jiggered Ceilidh Band returned to Gleddoch House Hotel, Langbank for Hogmanay 2011. Having played there the previous Hogmanay we knew what to expect and they knew they were re-booking a first class ceilidh band!
We had a great time- Ewan was moaning that he's spent almost every Hogmanay in living memory with us but I secretly enjoy getting a wee cuddle from him after the Bells!
Of course, no Jiggered ceilidh would be complete without a wee bit of drama- this time it was my three year old getting rushed to hospital by ambulance to spend the Bells and early hours of 2012 in A&E. She's thankfully back home now, and feeling well enough to jig around the living room!
All the best for 2012 everyone from Jiggered Ceilidh Band- coming soon to a ceilidh near you.
Posted at 14:44 on 1st January 2012 by Chris Smith
Terms and Conditions for Confirmed Bookings of Jiggered Ceilidh Band
1. Jiggered Ceilidh Band are engaged for services and not for employment. The engagement is only for the period stated. This agreement reflects the terms and conditions as agreed (including via email) between the Client and Jiggered Ceilidh Band.
2. The Client agrees to pay Jiggered Ceilidh Band the balance of the agreed fee, either: By the due date by cheque, or bank transfer or on the day of the engagement in cash upon Jiggered Ceilidh Band’s arrival at the venue. If cash is not given to Jiggered Ceilidh Bands on their arrival at the venue or if a cheque is offered in lieu of cash, Jiggered Ceilidh Band reserve the right to leave the venue without performing and without penalty, and the Client will still be liable to pay Jiggered Ceilidh Band the full balance due within 14 days.
3. The Client is required to provide a suitable performing area with adequate and safe electrical supply.
4. Cancellation of this agreement by the Client will incur the following cancellation fees:
- More than 3 months prior to engagement date: loss of deposit paid
- 3 months to 1 month prior to engagement date: loss of deposit paid PLUS 75% of agreed fee.
- Less than 1 month prior to engagement date: loss of deposit paid PLUS 100% of agreed fee.
Cancellation fees must be paid within 14 days of the cancellation.
5. If by reason of strike, fire, war, riot, epidemic, civil commotion, national calamity, mechanical breakdown, order of the government or local authority, act of God, illness or other incapacity of Jiggered Ceilidh Band certified by a properly qualified medical practitioner, or other cause beyond the control of either party, the engagement is unable to proceed, this agreement shall be null and void.
6. If in the event of Jiggered Ceilidh Band being unable to attend the event on the day, due to unforeseen circumstances such as car breakdown or accident, and Jiggered Ceilidh Band cannot find a suitable replacement, then Jiggered Ceilidh Band will refund the deposit and any balance payments in full to the Client.
7. Any claims for liability prior to the engagement date, on the engagement date or any time thereafter, will not be entered into with Jiggered Ceilidh Band and any claims will be limited to the total agreed fees stated in this agreement.
Posted at 0:01 on 1st January 2012 by Chris Smith
