Since 2013 we have played over 160 events of every kind. Here is what we offer — and if your event doesn't fit neatly into a category, just get in touch. We are used to finding solutions.
Since 2013 we have played over 160 events of every kind. Here is what we offer — and if your event doesn't fit neatly into a category, just get in touch. We are used to finding solutions.
The ceilidh that gets every generation dancing
A ceilidh is one of the best things you can do at a wedding reception. It gets everyone — grandparents, children, people who insist they cannot dance — up on the floor together, often within minutes. There is nothing quite like the collective chaos of Strip the Willow to break the ice.
We have played over forty weddings since 2013, in venues ranging from village halls and farm barns to Shrigley Hall, Ilam Hall and Whirlowbrook Hall. We know how weddings work and how to fit around your day.
Our caller Steve will run the dances clearly and confidently, keep the energy high, and make sure nobody gets left on the sidelines. We bring our own Bose PA system, carry full public liability insurance and have PAT tested equipment — all the paperwork your venue will need is available on request.
We usually perform as a four piece plus caller for weddings: fiddle, melodeons, acoustic guitar, and piano or concertina. The music draws on our broad repertoire including North American and Québécois reels alongside traditional English, Scottish and Irish tunes.
From 21sts to 90ths — we've played them all
Birthday parties are some of our favourite gigs. A ceilidh transforms a party into something your guests will actually talk about — most people arrive not knowing what to expect and leave wanting to do it again.
We have played for milestone birthdays of every age. The format works especially well for mixed-age groups, where getting people of different generations dancing together is half the fun.
We are flexible about timing and format. If you want a shorter set, or need the dancing to fit around a meal, we are happy to work around your plans. Acoustic options are also available for smaller or more intimate gatherings.
Community dancing at its best
We regularly perform at public and community ceilidhs across the region, including Poynton Ceilidh, events at Bollington Arts Centre, and the Buxton Georgian Festival Cavendish Ceilidh.
Festival and community ceilidhs tend to draw a real mix of experience levels — from seasoned dancers to complete beginners — and we love playing for that kind of crowd. The energy in a room full of people all figuring out the same dance together is something special.
If you are organising a public ceilidh or festival appearance, we are very used to performing for larger audiences and can advise on floor layout, timing and programme to make the most of the evening.
Great entertainment that supports a great cause
A ceilidh makes an excellent fundraiser. It is accessible, inclusive and genuinely entertaining — which means people stay longer, buy more raffle tickets, and tell their friends about it afterwards.
We have played for many charity and fundraiser events over the years, including memorial dances, hospice fundraisers, and church events. We understand that budgets are often tighter for charitable events and are always willing to have a conversation about what is possible.
Children take to ceilidh dancing immediately
We have a long-running relationship with Hurst Head Primary School in Cheadle Hulme, where we play the Year 6 leavers hoe down every summer. Children are often the most enthusiastic ceilidh dancers — they pick up the moves quickly, get competitive about the do-si-do, and have absolutely no inhibitions.
For school events we adapt our dance selection to suit the age group, keep the energy high and the instructions clear, and make sure everyone is included. We are experienced at managing the organised chaos that a room full of excited children creates.
We are happy to discuss school bookings, community events and youth group ceilidhs — just get in touch.
Intimate folk music without the PA
Not every event needs a full band and PA system. Subsets of Maplewood are available for smaller or more intimate settings — a garden party, a pub session, a retirement do in a small venue — where acoustic music fits better than a full amplified ceilidh.
In acoustic mode we play purely for listening and atmosphere rather than calling dances. The repertoire draws on the same mix of North American, Québécois, English, Scottish and Irish tunes, played in a relaxed session style.
We have also made occasional pub appearances and participated in folk sessions around the area. If you have something in mind that does not quite fit the standard ceilidh format, it is worth asking — we are flexible.