barn dance

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A barn dance is any kind of dance held in a barn, but usually involves traditional or folk music with traditional dancing. Folk dancing events are often also referred to as "barn dances", despite being held in locations other than barns.

The term "barn dance" is usually associated with family-oriented, community-oriented events, but can refer to a rave, a kegger, or any other event than might be held in a barn or other rural building.

A barn dance can be a Ceilidh, with traditional Irish or Scottish dancing, and people unfamiliar with either format often confuse the two terms. However, a barn dance can also feature square dancing, Morris dancing, Contra dancing, English Country Dance, dancing to Country and Western music, or any other kind of dancing, often with a live band and a Caller.

Radio adaptations

WLS in Chicago is credited with developing the "barn dance" radio format, which was in large part responsible for the advent of country music in the United States. The National Barn Dance began as a program of old-time fiddling on April 19, 1924. A year-and-a-half later, a George D. Hay, an announcer on WLS brought in an old-time fiddler to launch the WSM Barn Dance (now known as the Grand Ole Opry) in Nashville. Dozens of similar programs cropped up on AM radio stations all across the United States, from New England to Los Angeles, including the WWVA Jamboree in Wheeling, West Virginia (1933), the Renfro Valley Barn Dance in Kentucky (1939), the Louisiana Hayride (1948), the Tennessee Jamboree (1953) and Ozark Jubilee (1954).

Recent developments

Barn dances have made a popular comeback in the college party scene in recent years^{[citation needed]}. Organizations such as Greek houses will rent out barns with a DJ and kegs to host their party for the night. This usually takes place in colleges which tend to be in "the country." Examples of colleges include: The University of Illinois, Illinois State University, Arizona State University, Worcester College, Oxford and Kansas State University.

See also

• Noze looan
• Twmpath
• Fest Noz

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