THERE’S nothing like an old-fashioned knees up to end the Worcester Festival on a high.

The céilidh (pronounced kay-lee) is a Gaelic tradition. With live music and dance routines, it is the epitome of a social gathering and finding a new lease of life in Worcester.

This Friday, people of all ages will go to St Helen’s Church, in Fish Street, Worcester, for the Dance Around Céilidh, a one-off event being organised by Worcester’s Ian Craigan.

Mr Craigan, a caller – the person who shouts out dance instructions – expects the craze to continue to grow.

“Right across the country there is a great renaissance of céilidh dancing,” he said.

“A lot of young people and the old die-hards are getting into that social dancing scene. And, with Worcestershire’s brilliant folk music scene, it makes sense that they are becoming more popular here.”

Horizon Lights Céilidh Band, plus guest artists, will perform at the St Helen’s event, encouraging couples to get on their feet and try it for themselves. There will be traditional British folk music, plus American dances and a half-time belly dancing demonstration.

“Although they are popular, there are not many open céilidhs,” said Mr Craigan.

“Most tend to be for weddings or private parties. We thought the Worcester Festival would be a great time to test the waters so we organised this public one. Plus there was a great céilidh to start the festival and we felt it would be fitting to end with one.”

Saturday, October 18, will see the first ever Big National Céilidh. Thousands of people all over the UK are organising simultaneous events and, at 10pm, every band will play the same tune and everyone will dance the same steps.

Mr Craigan has already started planning. To find out more about the Dance Around Céilidh, tickets priced £6, call the Worcester Festival box office on 01905 611427.