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.

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, dancing to Country and Western music, or any other kind of dancing, often with a live band and a caller. The Chicago Barn Dance Company and the similarly-named by unrelated London Barn Dance Company for instance, both offer contra and square dancing events. Folk dancing events are often also referred to as "barn dances", despite being held in locations other than barns.

The American radio station WLS presented a program called The National Barn Dance, which featured Country music and comedy skits, from the 1920s through the 1950s.

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.