barn dance band

Barn Dance Band

ceilidh band

Ceilidh Band
Booking & Availability What people said Photo Album Ceilidh Dances & Music

If you are looking for a lively time at your wedding, corporate or social event, or a popular professional ceilidh band for your festival or public event, ThingumaJig has the right package for you.

See for youself why ThingumaJig has become one of the most popular Ceilidh Bands in the South East! Foot tapping music, dances and songs from Scotland, England, Ireland and America, played on a fascinating variety of instruments. A Ceilidh or Barn Dance never fails to get everyone involved and makes a success of any event. You can leave it to ThingumaJig to get everyone joining in, and make the night go with a swing! John and Liz use radio mics to get down amongst the dancers, demonstrating and encouraging everyone, and call the dances from the floor.

Call Pete or Mannie on 01273 455202
to book ThingumaJig

Available as a 4 or 5 piece band plus caller (or 2 callers/dancers)

Or E-Mail us now pete@ thingumajig.org
ceilidh band photo
David, Ollie, Mannie,Dan, Pete

If you prefer you can also book us through our agents
Function Junction in London

barn dance band photo
The band with callers John & Liz
Photo by Toby Amies

Pete McClelland is on Melodeon, Fiddle, Banjo & Bouzouki
Mannie McClelland is on Concertina & Mandolin
David Sheldon or Philippe Barnes on Keyboards
Dan Dotor-Cespedes is on Bass Guitar
and Frank Scully or Ollie Boorman on Drums

Regular Callers John & Liz Scholey call and demonstrate the dances, are on hand with percussion and together make sure everyone has a chance to join in the fun.

Read more about the band and its mambers on the Biography page

Barn Dance - Line Dance - Ceilidh

Inexperienced dancers are not a problem, ThingumaJig will suit the dancing to the ability of the dancers, whether it is for complete novices, or seasoned folk dancers. We can also flavour the event in whatever way you like with American, Scottish, Irish or English music and dances.

From your local village hall to a Folk festival concert stage, from a marquee in the garden to a prestige venue such as the Institute of Directors in Pall Mall or the Law Society in the City of London, the band is comfortable in any kind of venue big or small.

ThingumaJig are based in Sussex and Kent, and we mostly play in London, the South and Southeast of England. We are however available further afield at a price!

ThingumaJig News and Site Info

  • New band members August 2006:
    We welcome Dan Dotor on bass and Frank Scully on drums for the coming season. Ollie will be staying involved, stepping in for Frank on the throne from time to time.
  • Sidmouth Folkweek 2006
    ThingumaJig brought the "Round the World Dance Show" to the Ham stage on the final day of the week. Highlights included Ben Schwausch's Stepping and Black Swan Rapper and the young children from the Music with Mannie workshops. Box Office 01395 578627
  • The Adur Festival Ceilidh was on June 9th 2005, and was great fun - we performed our new "Round the World Dance Show" for the first time. We put on the dance show again at Crawley Folk Festival on June 25th and the dancers seemed to dance with even more enthusiasm than usual - and the band are exited about performing the new show too.
  • Ceilidh Party album released 2003
    "Even if you are among the two-left-feet crowd, you'll enjoy the energy and superb musicianship of this album" - Sing Out! Magazine (USA) - read more reviews here Read the Ceilidh Party press release or download free tracks
  • ThingumaJig featured on BBC Radio 4's "The Wedding Band".
    The BBC followed ThingumaJig for a day during summer 2003, recording everything from the pre gig get together, the journey, the gig, and the wind down afterwards. The programme takes this day as its theme and weaves in comments and clips of other musicians. It was a good programme, since repeated, and rated pick of the day in the Radio Times.