Colourful Ceilidh

A BAND of bagpipers and a few drummers thrown in for good measure, the aural combination is what's needed to 'rouse the blood' according to Richard Harris.

And Mr Harris should know he's the head honcho at the Queanbeyan Pipes and Drums or more commonly known as their Pipe Master.

This weekend Mr Harris and his fellow band members invite the community into their world of traditional tunes, colourful kilts and delightful dancing for a Ceilidh (pronounced kay lee).

"It's a community party that's the best way to describe it, there's singing, dancing and poetry, in Ireland and Scotland it's a big part of their culture," he said. "The Gaelic word for it means 'to get together and have a talk', it's a big part of their community life."

The Ceilidh will include pipe bands from Goulburn and Bateman's Bay as well as a choir, bush poets, fiddlers and highland dancers.

Performers on the day will be Humbug Celtic Band, The Canberra Celtic Choir, The Queanbeyan Bush Poets, Shenanigans Quartet, the Joy Reiher School of Scottish Dancing, the Canberra Highland Dancers, Queanbeyan Sing Australia and Individual Fiddlers and Pipers.

Last year, about 200 people attended the Ceilidh and the group is hoping for similar numbers especially as they have locked in a new performance space at the Bicentennial Centre.

Mr Harris said it's a venue with some pretty good acoustics and he can't wait to hear the unmistakable sound of the pipes bouncing off the walls. The event will officially kick off and conclude with a massed band performance.

"When we play it's loud but good, very spectacular in the best possible way … you've got 20 to 30 people wearing their kilts and marching in to 'Scotland the Brave'. It's good, it rouses the blood," he said.

"We'll play a combination of old favourites and some new ones, a set of Gaelic songs, contemporary and even Australian songs. A bit of a mix."

The Queanbeyan Pipes and Drums are a community group who play free performances at community events like the Australia Day in the Park event and Queanbeyan Relay for Life.

"The Ceilidh is a chance for the community to see what we do and as a way of giving back to the community," Mr Harris said.

The group currently has 18 members ranging from 70 to 10-years-old.

"We have about five younger kids in the band, it's good sign for it to keep growing," Mr Harris said. "We have another generation to continue it on."

n The Queanbeyan Ceilidh will be held at the Queanbeyan Bicentennial Centre on Sunday, March 3 from 11am to 4pm. Free entry.