Of all the ceilidhs that dot the Island landscape there is one that stands out as a stalwart in the midst of transition. While many ceilidhs sprout up during the summer tourist season to entertain people visiting the Island on holiday and relieve them of some of their loose cash the Bingo Country ceilidhs are a constant, year round feature that tend to cater to the local people.
For five dollars you can go and see a number of veteran as well as up and coming entertainers strut their stuff for two and a half hours or so and get a lunch besides. Where in the world can you get a better deal.
About six years ago Marion Boyce and Olive Bryanton thought that they would like to establish a place where the local people, mostly seniors, could go for a night's entertainment at a reasonable price. Boy did they hit a home run. In an interview with Herb MacDougall, who along with Judy Low, co-ordinates the entertainers for the bi-weekly event I was given a run down of people that have played at these ceilidhs in various stages of career development and the list is long. Fiddlers like Richard Wood, Cynthia MacLeod, Courtney Hogan, Billy McInnis Jr., Dave Thomson, Gary Chipman and Ward Allen MacDonald to name just a few. If I were to name all the performers that have played Bingo Country over the years the column would have to be three pages long.
Singers and dancers have always been a staple of the ceilidhs with various Judy MacLean dancers being regulars. Singers over the years that have taken a walk across the planks, or plywood of the Bingo Country stage run the gamut from Kendall Docherty to former MLA Mildred Dover with Susan Campbell, Dino Dunsford, Jimi Platts, and Arlene and Brian Curley thrown in for good luck.
The house band is made up of Herb MacDougall, Judy Low, Joe Penney, and Dave Moore. These folks start proceedings every night with some lively tunes and songs that everyone can clap along to. You can also dance if you'd like and singing along, although not compulsory is encouraged. There's always a friendly, relaxed atmosphere at the ceilidhs and you can be sure you'll meet someone you know. It's all about a good time at Bingo Country.
If you want to get a taste of the good times the next ceilidh is December 3 at 7:30 pm and with Christmas coming on you will probably hear some seasonal songs. For five bucks you can't beat it and don't forget the lunch, it' always a great one.
If you want to take in a new ceilidh, Susan Pitre is holding one every month on Saturday at the Sherwood hall on Maple Avenue. I'll have more about that one next time.
Until next time don't forget to support live bluegrass and country music and listen to Bluegrass Island every Sunday evening at 9:00PM on CFCY 95.1 FM and on the internet at www.951fmcfcy.com.
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