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.

The Chicago Barn Dance Company and the similarly-named but unrelated London Barn Dance Company for instance, both offer contra and square dancing events.

[edit] Radio adaptations

George Dewey "Judge" Hay is credited with developing the "barn dance" radio format, which was responsible for the advent of country music in the United States. Hay personally launched the National Barn Dance on WLS in Chicago in 1924, and one year later, launched the WSM Barn Dance (now known as the Grand Ole Opry) in Nashville. Similar programs cropped up on AM radio stations up and down the Appalachian Mountains, including the WWVA Jamboree in Wheeling, West Virginia (1933), the Renfro Valley Barn Dance in Kentucky (1939), and the Louisiana Hayride (1948).

[edit] 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, Arizona State University, and Kansas State University.