Spinach for Norman

A ceilidh band servicing social dancing for all occasions.

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Our Story

Spinach for Norman is a leading ceilidh band from Devon in the UK. They bring a lively energy to every gathering with their dynamic all string sound. Their music is drawn from traditional dance music from the South West and the British Isles as well as some from Europe and North America.

The band came together sharing a passion for traditional music in the early 1980’s and evolved into the well-established band you see today.

With over forty years of experience serving the southwest of England, Spinach for Norman is a vibrant ceilidh band specialising in weddings, corporate events, and local dances.

What we offer

You provide the space, dancers, and a 13 amp plug and we supply the band, caller and PA.

Live Music

Nothing beats a live band and these talented musicians bring over 40 years of experience to every performance.

Dance Caller

Every wedding dance needs a caller to lead the dancing. We have worked with many callers but Pam Hayes is our ever popular resident caller. She is equally great with grown ups and children. She looks after everyone whatever their previous experience of traditional social dance and makes sure everyone has fun.

Shared Enjoyment

Ceilidhs are a great leveller and mixer so are ideal for socialising for any celebration. The band is also accustomed to playing for background music so is equally at home for events where the priority is just for chat and networking.

Meet Spinach for Norman

These are the core players and are all the founding members of band. We believe that maintaining a stable core band membership helps us ensure complete customer satisfaction.

Joel Segal

Joel brings the Romanian flavours to the band. He has played with Klezmer bands and is currently working with “Trikkeballakke”, an Italian music band in Exeter. He is also well known for being a man of books…literally!

Ben van Weede

Ben is known as one of the most accomplished fiddle players in Devon. He began his music career taking on his mother’s blown out harmonicas when he was little. He studied folk music traditions of the British Isles at Dartington College of Arts. He has been working with the Devon Music Service for nearly 40 years and this experience has led him onto completing an M Ed in enquiring into the significance of Informal Learning in music.

Steve Verge

Steve is well known in the South West for his rhythm guitar skills. It is no surprise that he is steeped in the music traditions of his native Devon. His energy is indespensble to the band and his role is to make the music truly danceable. He brings with him the qualities of a long experience in performing Rock and Gypsy Jazz music that greatly enhances the traditional dance music we all love.

Martin Henning

Martin is a highly creative bassist whose subtle and effective playing can almost go unoticed (as can be the lot of any bassist!). He is in much demand and can be also found performing with “Poisson Rouges” – Breton folk dance band, “Bootleg Swing Band” – Gypsy Swing and various Kelzmer bands. He is also a presenter on Phonic FM’s “Roots & Shoots” programme.

Testimonials…

“We would like to say a massive and sincere THANK YOU to you all for playing and calling at our wedding at Dartington.  We both had such, such good fun – it was my most enjoyable part of the day, and every time I looked around on the dance floor everyone I saw had a massive grin on their faces.”
Becky & MartinWedding
“Thank you so much for Saturday, you were as ever in fine form, the music and the calling top notch.  Everyone had such a great time, we’ve had so many lovely comments, lots of our friends had never done ceilidh dancing before but are now complete converts!”
EmmaBirthday
“We were recommended Spinach for Norman by a friend and now we know why! I would recommend them to anyone looking for a very professional but also friendly ceilidh band! Pam is an excellent caller, she managed to get even the most stubborn of our guests up on the dance floor! Spinach for Norman made our wedding feel so special and for this we can’t thank them enough.”
Anna and Andrew Wedding
“Spinach for Norman were fab when you played at Luppitt…friends of ours are still talking about it!”
LewisCommunity event
“…All our guests thought you were brilliant, even if a few tried to take you out – thank you for remaining calm headed and for building a homemade barricade around yourselves…”
Ant & ClaireWedding
“Wow! What a spectacular evening you gave us. Our guests are all converted ceilidh fans – a lot of them had never tried one before and they absolutely loved it. I’m sure you felt the atmosphere too – such joy and celebration was a real high for everyone.
Thank you for your energy, enthusiasm and time. We will never forget the magic you created for us – thank you so much.”
Ollie and AnnieWedding
“Lydia and I wanted to thank you and the Band very much for a wonderful performance at our wedding. It was truly memorable.
Special thanks for the fantastic rendition of the medley for our first dance. 
John and LydiaWedding

Some of our tunes…

Our diary…

Any bookings marked TBC are still provisional. If you would like to book that date then do contact us. Any marked “Public event” are open to the public. If you would like to come along to one of these events then contact us about how to book tickets.

2025


Jan 25 (Sat) Public event, Kenton, Devon TBC
Feb 15 (Sat) Private function, Higher Ashton, Devon
Feb 22nd (Sat) Private function, Higher Ashton, Devon TBC
March 1 (Sat) Public event, “Hope4Kibera” fund raiser, Woodbury Village Hall, 7.30 to 11.00 pm.
April 19th (Sat) Private function, South Tawton.
May 24th (Sat) Private function, Cadleigh, Tiverton.
June 14th (Sat) Private function, Sidmouth.
June 20th (Fri) Public event, The Hall, Stepcote Hill. Exeter, 6.30 to 10.30 pm
July 5th (Sat) Private function, Exmouth.
July 12th (Sat) Private Function, Bigbury on Sea.
July 26th (Sat) Private function, Cullompton.
Aug 2nd (Sat) Private function, Upton Pyne.
Aug 4th (Mon) Private function, Honiton.
Aug 16th (Sat) Private function, Chudleigh.
Sep 27th (Sat) Public event, Winsford Village Hall, 7.30 to 11.00 pm
Nov 8th (Sat) Private function, Woodbury

Contact us…

Joel Segal

joelsegal@hotmail.co.uk

07790 906118‬

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