Iron Broo Ceilidh Band

Category: Our Iron Broo Ceilidh Band News

Our Iron Broo Ceilidh Band news pages. We try and blog as much as possible and inform any interested readers of our blog what we are up to. Sometimes we are pretty busy and don’t get time to write much but there is growing pressure in the digital world to inform people regularly and when we are not busy perfecting our ceilidh tunes we will try and fill as much text into our blogosphere as we possibly can. Fit mair can i say aboot it.  It says I need 250 words.

Oh wait, two hundred and fifty wirds.  or Twa hunner and fifty wurds.  Foo mony ways can yi say a phrase to fill oot the text on screen.

I like to ceilidh, you like to ceilidh we all like to ceilidh.

Let’s sing it this time…

No seriously, I’ll do my best to keep posting on the Blog and I’ll ask some of the band to chime in as well as guest bloggers.  We have some really funny conversations sometimes and have plenty stories to tell.  We are expert on all things Stovies.  Few people have imbibed as much Stovie as us. The good, the bad and the runny stuff from the south that would be spat oot in Aberdeenshire.  Stovies should only be tatties, beef, ingin’ and butter and gravy drippin’.   Nae corned beef, sausages or ither veg.

I think I have my next post sorted…

Confessions of a ceilidh master.  Episode 1.  A Stovie too far.

 

  • Lovely weather for Ceilidh

    What fantastic weather in Aberdeen today.  Isn’t it ace min!
    I’m packing for a gig and a trip round Sicily tomorrow.  It’ll be even warmer there. Hoping for a spot of fishing as well.
        The Iron Broo Duo will playing a ceilidh at the Colliestion Gala on the 27th of July 2013. Tickets are at the door and will be £5.
    The ceilidh will be held in a marquee in Collieston.  You can’t miss it if you drive into Collieston. It’s in the Glebe field opposite the community centre. I’ll add more details later if I can.
  • Scottish Wedding Ceilidh in Germany – Iron Broo in Dresden

    Scottish Wedding Ceilidh in Germany – Iron Broo in Dresden

    In summer 2013, Iron Broo travelled from Aberdeen to Germany to perform at Janet and Lucas’s wedding in Dresden.

    For this destination wedding we travelled as a three-piece ceilidh band, with Charlie Abel on accordion, Tom on banjo and Fred Wilkinson on bouzouki. After flying to Berlin and travelling on to Dresden, we were treated to a fantastic welcome in one of Germany’s most beautiful cities.

    Old drawing of Dresden

    A Scottish Ceilidh for German Wedding Guests

    The wedding reception took place in Dresden, with many guests who had never experienced a Scottish ceilidh before.

    There was naturally a language barrier, but that soon disappeared once the dancing started. Charlie called and demonstrated the dances, and before long the guests were joining in enthusiastically.

    That is one of the reasons a ceilidh works particularly well at an international wedding. Guests do not need to know the dances beforehand, everything is explained as the evening goes along.

    Taking Iron Broo Abroad

    Travelling with a ceilidh band requires a little more planning than a local wedding, particularly when instruments, flights, accommodation and sound equipment are involved, but Iron Broo has many years of experience performing outside Scotland.

    The Dresden wedding remains a great memory for the band and another example of Scottish ceilidh music bringing people together regardless of nationality or previous dance experience.

    Planning a Destination Wedding?

    Iron Broo provides live Scottish ceilidh music and full dance calling for weddings in Scotland and abroad, with flexible line-ups ranging from our One Man Ceilidh Band and Duo through to larger ceilidh bands.

    Find out more about our Destination Wedding Ceilidh Band →

  • Germany, Berlin and Dresden.

    Germany, Berlin and Dresden.

    Today I’m running around like a madman. Suffering from hay fever in this hot but grey sticky day and trying to pack. We’re all excited to be going to Germany tomorrow morning to play for Janet’s wedding. We’ll fly to Berlin and have a night there, then on Saturday we travel to Dresden to play at the wedding which we are very much looking forward to. We are to give the Germans a taste of Scottish Culture. I hope the recent flooding hasn’t caused too much damage. Fred’s Splashing White Sergeant might be our first dance. Maybe we can find a session in Berlin tomorrow night, anyone know of any? If not I’m sure we are in for a good time anyhow. Can’t wait for some good German food and a massive glass of German beer.  (I’ll be bringing my bib and a spare pair of trousers Tom) Think I’ll take a Kilt as well.

  • Glamis Lumo Stage

    We enjoyed our performances at Glamis Castle.  The weather was atrocious especially on the Saturday. Thanks to those who persisted to listen to Iron Broo at the end of the evening to ceilidh in the torrential rain and darkness… We will never forget you!
    I found it strange being on the stage with the light in my face which meant that when looking out to the audience we couldn’t see a thing in the darkness. Only the odd High-Viz jacket dancing around which gave me a wee chuckle.  
    The Sunday weather was slightly better. It drizzled on and off most of the day. Although when we went on to perform at the end of the day the sun came out and even gave us a bit of colour.
    Myself and all the other families enjoyed the Singing Kettle who were great. Children love them and I saw quite a lot of adults enjoying the fun, myself included. My son Marco was over the moon to get a chance to be on stage with them and play the maracas.  We have seen them several times at their shows and he had always wished to be picked to go on stage with them and so he was very very happy. Thanks Gary!
        The Kilted Chef – Craig Wilson’s cookery demonstration was excellent. He was joined by the lovely Andrea Brymer of STV.  I was standing watching when Marco went to the front just as Craig was making a Chocolate sauce. ‘Would you like to try some?” he asked Marco in front of everyone. “No” replied Marco.
    He must have been the only person, everyone laughed.  He’s a fussy eater but then he is only 6. Craig demonstrated his recipes using Local ingredients which he gathered from the stalls of Local producers who were selling their fare at Glamis. So anyone could go and buy the ingredients there and then. I think it’s great to see local fresh produce being used in our cooking. For a long time Scotland has had a poor reputation for it’s culinary excellence. Things are changing now. Scotland produces some of the finest ingredients for the table you will find anywhere in the world. Our meat is second to none. Fantastic fresh fish. Any vegetables that like rain are far better in Scotland, tatties, carrots etc. I have always been annoyed to see supermarkets sell tatties and carrots that come from the other side of the continent when we have the best tasting right here on our doorstep. Apples and Strawberries are another example. 
    I really enjoy cooking and hope to try some of Craig’s apricot chicken soon.  It’s important that people cook their own food. I despair when I look at what some folk buy in the Supermarket.

  • Glamis Gathering 2013

    After the huge success last year, Glamis Gathering 2013 is set to be a great weekend out for all. Set in the grounds of Glamis Castle, in front of the castle, a weekend of fun is promised for everyone on Saturday the 18th and Sunday the 19th of May 2013. Tickets and information can be found here: (No longer available.)

    Saturday the 18th May from 3pm in front of the castle.
    Live on the Lawn
    Featuring:
    MICHAEL BUBLE Tribute – Drew Wilson
    IRON BROO – Ceilidh Band (yippeee)
    GLITZ – All Girl Rock Band
    Pipe Band Blairgowrie
    Paul Anderson – International Fiddler (Quality!)
    Local Choir
    Master of Ceremonies – Mr Doug Duthie
    Sunday 19th
    Family Fun Day
    Family Day of Music/Dance including Food/Crafts
    from 10.30am

    Featuring:
    THE SINGING KETTLE – With their new show (ace)
    GLAMMERJACK – a take on the famous CRACKERJACK television programme
    Hosted by HILARY WHITLEY of BBC SCOTLAND
    TEDDY BEAR PICNIC
    Competition for best dressed Teddy
    IRON BROO – Ceilidh Band (hurraaay!)

    GLITZ – All Girl Rock Band
    GARRY SEAGREAVES – Magician for Children
    LOCAL MUSICIANS – on Stage during the afternoon
    COOKERY DEMONSTRATION – CRAIG WILSON
    The Kilted Chef from Eat on the Green Restaurant
    with a special guest appearance from
    ANDREA BRYMER of STV
    FOOD AND CRAFT VILLAGE
    including stalls from local producers and crafts
    POLICE AWARENESS UNIT ON SITE
    ANGUS COMMUNITY COUNCIL DISPLAYS
    Funfair and Food Outlets all day

  • New photographs playing Live.

    We had some great photos recently from gifted wedding photographer Janie Barclay. ( see her site http://www.janiebarclay.com ) They were just taken at weddings where we both working. I’ve put some up on our Facebook and will use them on the website and other projects.
    Thanks Janie.

  • Accordion Lessons with SC&T

    This week is the start of the new term for the Scottish Culture and Traditions Adult classes in traditional music and culture. Know locally as SC&T (scat). Tomorrow evening will be the start of the new accordion class for players of all levels wishing to learn or brush up on their accordion skills. I’ll be taking the class 7pm till 9pm at Harlaw academy, Albyn Place, Aberdeen. Places are limited to a maximum size of 16 people so if you are interested contact SC&T direct on their website www.scottishculture.org http://www.scottishculture.org
    If you have any pieces you’d like to learn (meant to be Scottish music but I’m flexible) let me know I’ll do my best to help you.

    If you need a new accordion or for the best hand made Italian instruments, accessories and digital accordions visit accordioncloud.scot. Or check out Ebay or the local papers for a cheapo squeeze box to practice on before shelling out on the best.
    I hope to see you there.
    Charlie

  • What goes up must come down

    Fred and I had a great gig at the weekend at Skene hall. A farewell party for an Aberdeen Lass off to Toronto to seek her fortune across the pond.  It left us on a high for the rest of the weekend but as the rule says, what goes up, must come down and I am suffering the man flu this week.  Michty me. I’m aff ma legs wi it!
        I’ve a sair back, a sair heid and my limbs are aching.  The paperwork is piling up, the accordion is screaming for a tune but the body says nae chunce!
        I think myself lucky I’m nae somebody that gets nae weel too much. It must be that time of year again.  Not to worry, I’ve got the log burner on, a pot o’ broth on the go and a hale box o Lemsips.
    Let the cleansing begin!

  • Happy Easter

    Happy Easter folks. 
    I’ve painted and rolled my eggs, have you? We had fun this afternoon rolling Eggs in the garden with the kids. My Egg won.
    For lunch we had home made Lasagna and chocolate eggs.
    Tonight we are playing for a wedding. It’s been a lovely day. I’m looking forward to a tune and a good ceilidh….

  • Baltic Weather, Photos & Accordion Lessons.

    This cold weather has really been starting to bother me lately. It seems never ending. I can’t wait until our trips abroad over the summer. If the Sun won’t come to Iron Broo then Iron Broo willl come to the Sun! I’m looking forward to Germany, Sicily and Italy later in the year. I was hoping for a chance to go to Canada too but that might have to wait until next year…we’ll see.
    Here’s hoping Scotland gets a summer this year.
    Fred and I are doing a photo shoot tomorrow morning for a publicity spot for a gig Iron Broo are playing at in May. I’ll tell you more about that one shortly. Just so I tell you the correct info.

    Accordion Lessons

    SCAT in Aberdeen will be running an accordion class starting next month. Subject to a to class size of at least 7 pupils attending. I am happy to tell you that I will once again be taking the class after an absence of over 11 years from teaching for SCAT and I am very much looking forward to it.  I think it will be held on a Wednesday night for 6 weeks starting 24th April. 7pm till 9pm with a break for refreshmentssshh…

    The SCAT website, will have the info up there shortly or you can contact them for the details if you want to learn the piano accordion.