Plaid Menagerie Celtic Band from Cloverdale, CA

Live Trad Music From the Sonoma Wine Country Plaid Menagerie plays dance-able Celtic folk music, a trio with awesome rhythmic drive; Scottish, and Irish accordion, fiddle, guitar with Scottish smallpipes and Scottish border pipes. They make a tight group, playing old Irish pub standards as well as tunes from the emerging artists of the Celtic music scene. Make your wedding, ceilidh or corporate event a peak experience with this mood altering music. Artists Alan Keith – Scottish smallpipes, Border pipes, diatonic accordion. Alan has played in the World Pipe Band competition, won awards and appeared on stage and TV for over 50 years. He has played for visits from royalty and other notable events. Nanette Fynan – Fiddle. Nanette has performed with community orchestras. She teaches, studies, researches and plays Celtic fiddle style for dances and events. Peter Tracy – Guitar and bass guitar effect with Submarine pickup. Peter writes and performs his own music. He has recorded and sings with multiple bands. His experience spans many musical styles. At the Reception - There are prime moments during the reception for a bagpiper, band or accordionist to play. The most common and appropriate use of a piper at the reception is to announce the arrival of the wedding party and pipe them all in. A quick musical flourish before the speeches, or just prior to the cake-cutting can also be a great attention getter. If the piper or accordionist is sharing the entertainment with another band or a D.J., he can play for a few minutes just prior to the change-over. He can also play during the other band's or D.J.'s breaks (usually a customary 15 minutes). Dancing at the Reception - Most commonly, Celtic bands play for dances. Scottish country dancing is great fun at a reception. In Scotland, the wedding reception is often called a ceilidh. During the ceilidh, young and old are encouraged to dance, sing, make speeches and quote poetry. The full band and dance caller can rouse the crowd, make the guests feel welcome and encourage them to dance. The dance caller can lead the guests through the dances whether they are experienced or beginner dancers. Before the Ceremony - This is actually a very good time to have the piper or the band to play. If the majority of the guests are expected to arrive within a short period of time, say 15-30 minutes before the ceremony starts, then music can be used quite effectively to greet them. During the Service - We are quite often asked to play all or a portion of the bridal processional, which can include playing for the parents, flower girl(s), ring-bearer and bridesmaids, as well as for the bride herself. If we are playing for everyone, or most everyone in the procession, we usually suggest to the client a change in tunes for the entrance of the bride herself. The Recessional comes at the end of the ceremony when the piper will either lead the couple and attendants back down the aisle, or play them down the aisle from the back of the church or ceremonial site. Or the band can play a celebratory tune while the bridal party makes their walk out of the ceremony space. After the Ceremony - The bagpiper can continue to play outside of the church or ceremonial site as the guests are exiting. The playing can go on for approximately 15-20 minutes while waiting for the receiving line to complete, or while photos inside the church are being taken. The piper usually doesn't play while photos of the newlyweds and family are being taken outside the church. However, once the photos are completed and the rice is thrown, the bagpiper can now begin to play a fast and lively tune while the couple enters the limosine. If the reception is being held in a different location, the piper can also play as the guests are leaving for the reception. If however, the piper is asked to play for the arrival of the guests at the reception, he will need to leave soon after the ceremony to arrive at the reception location prior to the guests. Cocktail Hour - The cocktail hour, which is usually void of live entertainment, can be a perfect time for the band, bagpipes and/or accordion to be played. Note: The accordion is a good choice for smaller reception halls and intimate outdoor settings. The band, a single piper or accordionist can easily blend into the space and provide background music for your guests. Here are some other options: *Perform outside the church or ceremony site as guests arrive. *Entertain during the receiving line and/or photographs after the ceremony. *Play the couple to the limousine after the receiving line and/or photographs. *Perform outside the reception party as guests arrive. *Pipe-in the couple and/or wedding party to the reception.