What we Wear:

We try not to be too prescriptive about our kit, as we enjoy the diversity and individual styles of our members, but some basic rules apply:

·         Bakanalia colours are blue and black, with hints of silver.

·         Waistcoat-style rag jacket, worn with a long sleeved top underneath – unless very hot weather conditions necessitate shorter sleeves.

·         Trousers, kilts, skirts, leggings, shorts (or combinations thereof) in the side’s colours, ensuring that legs are covered, rather than bare.

·         Black hats of any description (but please avoid baseball caps), decorated to the individual’s taste

·         Bells! (supplied by the side) Usually attached to black straps or strings and preferably  tied just under the knees

·         Face paint (available from the side at a discounted rate) in black, blue and silver. Our ‘traditional’ design is half blue and half black with silver accents, but feel free to experiment and express your creativity!

 

Officers:

Current officers are as follows: Squire, Foreman, Treasurer/Bagman, Secretary, Archivist and Webmaster. Roles and responsibilities associated with these roles are detailed in the constitution.

Officers are elected at the AGM which usually takes place in early February. Other decisions pertaining to the running of the side are also made at this meeting.

 

Members:

Joining the side - prospective dancers and musicians (who can join at any time of the year) are encouraged to become paid-up members as soon as possible after deciding that they wish to be members of the side.  This entails paying the membership fee, which is decided at the AGM each year, preferably before participating in a public performance.  Members can also make voluntary donations when attending practice if they wish, to contribute to the team’s funds for expenses.

Existing members should pay the agreed membership fee within 2 months of the AGM (see the constitution for further details).

 

Participation - members are encouraged to attend practice as regularly as possible, especially prior to public performances, to ensure that performances are of the highest standard possible. It is appreciated if apologies are given in advance to the squire if a member is unable to attend practice. Members are expected to engage as fully as possible at practice sessions, co-operating with the Foreman and Squire, who generally lead the sessions. Dancers will only be encouraged to participate according to their abilities, to ensure everyone’s comfort and to avoid unnecessary injuries.

All members are expected to participate in as many public performances as possible, as this is the agreed purpose of the side and the way in which income is sourced. Without public performances, the side would cease to be. If a member has to withdraw from an event that they have previously signed up to, notice should be given to the Squire at the earliest opportunity.

 

New dancers and musicians will be able to participate in public performances when deemed competent. It is usually expected that an individual will be able to dance/play for about three dances competently, in order to perform publicly. The Squire and Foreman will usually advise individuals when it is felt that they are ‘ready’ to perform publicly. Even if not deemed competent, there are other tasks with which members can assist (see constitution for further information).

The Squire prepares a dance-list prior to public performances, based on dances practised in the preceding weeks. If dancers or musicians have any issues with this, they should raise this at the earliest opportunity with the Squire so that the necessary changes can be made.

All members are encouraged to attend the AGM as this is where key decisions are made pertaining to the side’s activities and aspirations for the coming year.