In modern usage, a céilidh or ceilidh (English pronunciation: /ˈkeɪlɪ/) is a traditional Gaelic social gathering, which usually involves playing Gaelic folk music and dancing. It originated in Ireland and Scotland, but is now common throughout the Irish and Scottish diasporas. In Irish it is spelt céilí (Irish pronunciation: [ˈceːlʲiː]) and in Scottish Gaelic it is spelt cèilidh (Scottish Gaelic pronunciation: [ˈkʲʰeːli]).

The term is derived from the Old Irish céle (singular) meaning "companion". It later became céilidhe and céilidh. In Scottish Gaelic reformed spelling it is spelt cèilidh (plural cèilidhean) and in Irish reformed spelling as céilí (plural céilithe).

Originally, a ceilidh was a social gathering of any sort, and did not necessarily involve dancing.

In more recent decades, the dancing portion of the event has usurped the older meanings of the term, though the tradition of guests performing music, song, story telling and poetry still persists in some areas.

Céilidhs facilitated courting and prospects of marriage for young people and, although discos and nightclubs have displaced céilidhs to a considerable extent, they are still an important and popular social outlet in rural parts of Ireland and Scotland, especially in the Gaelic-speaking regions. Céilidhs are sometimes held on a smaller scale in private or public houses, for example in remote rural hinterlands and during busy festivals. It is common for some clubs and institutions such as sports clubs, schools and universities and even employers to arrange céilidhs on a regular or at least annual basis. The formality of these can vary. Some mix modern pop music with a Scottish country dancing band and dress codes range from compulsory highland dress to informal. Knowledge and use of the basic dance steps is not always strictly necessary, and dances often alternate with songs, poetry recitals, story telling and other types of "party pieces".

Alasdair Fraser (born 14 May 1955, Clackmannan, Scotland) is a Scottish fiddler.

Fraser operates Culburnie Records, and is a leading artist on the label. He has founded three summer fiddling programs: the Valley of the Moon fiddle camp in California (begun in 1984), a week-long course on the Isle of Skye (begun in 1987) and the more recent Sierra Fiddle Camp in California (begun in 2006). Adept in various Scottish idioms, in recent years, with cellist Natalie Haas, he has helped reconstruct and revive the Scottish tradition of playing dance music on violin and cello ("wee fiddle" and "big fiddle"). Fraser lives in northern California with his wife and two sons.

Michael Simmons. "Alasdair Fraser: Scotland's Ambassador of Fiddling", Fiddler Magazine (Fall 2002), online issue

Treasure Planet film credits at the Big Cartoon Database, [1]

Natalie Haas is an American cellist. A graduate of the Juilliard School, she has toured extensively with Scottish fiddler Alasdair Fraser. Together they have recorded several albums. Also, she has toured and recorded with Mark O'Connor and his Appalachia Waltz Trio, and with Natalie MacMaster.

Haas teaches privately and at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. Haas' sister, Brittany Haas, is also a musician, playing fiddle in the alternative bluegrass band Crooked Still.