Your News Christmas special
One of the best parts of being Scottish, being of Scottish descent or just being interested in all things Scottish, is being able to attend the numerous Festivals, Gatherings and Games that are held throughout the world.
Here is a special list of Christmas celebrations from all around the world.
In this edition, we have events in Russia, N. Ireland, England, Belgium, Italy, Hong Kong, India, New Zealand, Canada, USA, Australia and Slovenia.
USA
New York
Scottish Country Dancing
Holy Cross School
332 West 43rd St
New York City, New York
Royal Scottish Country Dance Society NY Branch
Info: info@rscdsnewyork.org or 212–849–8282
Learn traditional dances done in 18th century Scottish assembly rooms and new dances done in 21st century ballrooms around the world. No partner, no experience, no kilt necessary.
FEES – 2006-2007
Membership (RSCDS+NY BRANCH) $25.00
Single class $8.00
Ten/eleven week series – Member $64.00, Non–member $70.00
Fourth series – Member $45.00, Non–member $50.00
Full–time students – 1/2 price
Introductory class – FREE
www.rscdsnewyork.org
American Celtic Exhibition
Celtic Art – Beyond the Ninth Wave.
November-December
We would like to invite you to be part of a timely and completely different post–modern art exhibit.
Organized by a group of prolific and well respected artists whose work has often been under–recognized by the contemporary art world, AMERICAN CELTIC will make a strong impact on viewers as it travels around the country.
NY Irish Arts Centre
553 West Street
New York, NY 10019
Tel: 212–757–3318
www.celtart.com/AmericanCeltic.htm
Philadelphia
The Scottish Writing Exhibition
December
The Scottish Writing Exhibition is an exhibition of Scottish books, authors and publishers, specifically designed for the Modern Language Association convention by members of the Association for Scottish Literary Studies' International Committee (ASLS IC)[USA].
www.arts.gla.ac.uk/ScotLit/ASLS/SWE/
Scottish Writing in Philadelphia
The Scottish Writing Exhibition is coming back to the US later this month, with lots that's new. The Association for Scottish Literary Studies will be in Philadelphia from 28-30 December for the Modern Language Association (MLA) Convention and are taking books from 15 publishers of Scottish writing.
Theresa Breslin and Liz Lochhead are giving a public reading at a local bookstore (Robin's) on Friday 29 December. The event is free – and there will be a whisky reception afterwards! Funding is mainly by the Scottish Arts Council but the Scottish Executive has also provided finance and a new aspect of the exhibition this year is collaboration on the government's Fresh Talent Initiative.
This programme is aimed at encouraging American students to come and study in Scotland - on completion of a course, they are eligible to stay in Scotland for a further two years to live and work. For more details on the exhibition and the Fresh Talent Initiative, see www.scottishwriting.org.uk
Oregon
Christmas Day in the Highlands
Monday, December 25, 2006
The Highlands Restaurant is featuring a special Christmas Day menu from 12 noon to 8pm, including your choice from a selection of starters and entrees, and our scrumptious dessert buffet – all for just $30 per person. Reservations are required – make yours early! www.theresort.com/events.html
Nestled in the western highlands of Mt. Hood just an hour east of Portland, The Resort at The Mountain is a premier Oregon golf, ski and meeting resort. With a unique Scottish ambiance, exceptional service, and the natural beauty of national forests and clear running streams akin to the Scottish Highlands, The Resort offers a wonderful array of experiences for couples, families, outdoor enthusiasts, and meeting or event groups. Come lose yourself in the wonders of The Spirit of Scotland in the Highlands of Mt. Hood!
The Resort at The Mountain is located in the highlands of Oregon at the west slope of Mt. Hood, just one–half mile off Hwy 26 in Welches, Oregon, USA.
Our address is 68010 E. Fairway Avenue, Welches OR 97067.
Tel:: (503) 622–3101
Fax: (503) 622–2222
Texas
Celtic Christmas at the Cathedral
Thursday, December 21, 2006
St. Mary's Cathedral
Austin, TX
www.texcelt.org/CalendarCentralTexas.html
Arizona
The Lake Havasu Genelogical Society 12th Annual Seminar
January 27, 2007
The Lake Havasu Genelogical Society will hold its 12th Annual Seminar on January 27, 2007 featuring Shirley Hodges.
For further info contact Gloria at gloharr@rraz.net or tel 928–855–3607.
Washington
10th Annual Masters of Scottish Arts Concert
The World's Best Bagpipers, Drummers, Fiddlers and Dancers
Friday Feb 2, 2007 7:30 PM
S. Mark Taper Foundation Auditorium
Benaroya Hall
3RD Ave. & University St.
Seattle
Washington
Tickets go on sale Friday Oct. 13th for the tenth annual Masters Of Scottish Arts Concert at Seattle's Benaroya Hall. The concert features the world's very best Scottish musical and dance artists.
The concert has the distinction of being the most well attended concert of its kind anywhere in the world. According to Piper and Drummer Magazine the concert set "a record for the piping world for attendance at a show that doesn't feature a pipe band. No electronics or smoke and mirrors, just plain old great piping and drumming" fiddling and dancing.
Tickets are available at all Ticketmaster ticket centers, online at www.Ticketmaster.com. by phone at 206–292–ARTS, or at the Benaroya Hall box office.
The concert is held in conjunction with The Mastery of Scottish Arts Winter School for piping, drumming, fiddling and dancing which is being held at the Seabeck Conference Center on Hood Canal from February 4 – 7, 2007. MSA is a registered 501–C3 Non Profit Corporation. For further information, call 206–444–4344, or write Masters of Scottish Arts, PO Box 3713, Bellevue, WA 98009. Visit our web site at www.masteryofscottisharts.org
Australia
NSW
Hogmanay Party at Scottish Hall, Bankstown.
31st December 2006
Bankstown Scottish Assoc.
Bankstown, Info 02 9599 2317.
Belgium
Ossian Exhibition
Ossian Fragments of Ancient Poetry
Bloighean de sheann bhàrdachd
Scotland House, 8th floor, Rond Point Schuman 6 Brussels
The exhibition 'Ossian, Fragments of Ancient Poetry' which will run to end of March 2007 is based on James McPherson's' fact and/or fictional account of ancient Celtic mythology, 'The Poems of Ossian and Related Works' (1765). Ossian, a third century Celtic bard, was 'discovered' by McPherson during his sojourns in the Highlands and Islands and 'translated' from the original Gaelic. This series of large–scale photographic tableau, in the words of the artist Calum Colvin, seek to explore notions and ideas around history, identity and, as a sub–theme, photography itself, in order to question the role of 'truth' associated with these areas.
Italy
Scottish Market in Florence
Florence Scottish Association
A photographic exhibition on the Scottish isles by the local photographer Andrea Pistolesi, as well as our usual Whisky tasting sessions. Full details of days and times plus a few images are available on our website.
For further information contact : florencescots@inwind.it
Slovenia
The Society of Scottish-Slovenian Friendship
February 3rd 2007
A great event celebrating Slovenian poet Preseren and our Bard-Rabbie Burns
with 250 guests. These two great poets have a lot of things in common, not only love for women and a good drink. Preseren's poem became the Slovenian national anthem upon independence 15 years ago.
Featuring young Slovenian musicians and from North Ayshire, the Lord Provost who will make a speech about France Preseren. One of the famous Slovenians will talk about Burns. There will be dance, singing, and the poems of both poets will be recited in both languages. There will also be a raffle and an auction to raise money for a local children's cancer charity.
For more info please see the website.
Northern Ireland
Nearly Hogmanay Party
Friday, December 29, 2006 – 8pm-LATE
Low quarters Orange Hall, Ballinderry Road, Magheragall, Lisburn.
A night of local Ulster–Scots entertainment. Transport is made available with Magheragall Pipe Band who will provide a mini bus to lift and take people home within a 5 mile radius. Booking of transport is via William Leathem 078 08 138016.
Contact: 078 01 416736
Hogmanay Party
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Burnside Orange Hall, Loughnamore Road, Antrim
Annual Hogmanay Celebrations come to Burnside Orange Hall.
Tickets cost £5 each, please contact 028 94 461134 for further details.
England
Cheltenham Annual Ball-Scottish Country Dancing
Saturday 13 January 2007: 7.30–11.30pm
Gloucestershire University, Park Campus (South West England)
Craigellachie Band
Price: £15 inc. Finger buffet
RSCDS Cheltenham Branch
enquiries to: cheltrscds@hotmail.com
Early 2007 Highlights
USA
Kansas City Winter Storm Weekend 2007.
12–14th January 2006
Pipes and drums concert at Christian Church, Main St Kansas.
Info www.winterstorm.net
Scottish American Society of Central Florida Annual Highland Gathering.
20th January 2006
Orlando
Info
www.flascot.com
Annual Calloosahatchee Celtic Festival
27th January 2006
Centennial Park, Fort Myers.
Info 941 625 8544
Sarasota Highland Games
4th February 2007
Info 941 342 0509
www.sarasotagames.com
15th Annual Mid–Winter Scottish and Irish Festival and Fair at
16–18th February 2007
Valley Forge Convention Center
Philadelphia,
Info 610 825 7268
www.eohebrides.com
43rd Annual Arizona Scottish Gathering and Highland Games
24–25th February 2007
Mesa Community College
Info games@arizonascots.com
CANADA
2007 British Show
9–11th February 2007
Hamilton Convention Centre
A great weekend of celebrating the British way of life. Meet Coronation Street star Johnny Briggs (Mike Baldwin), pipe bands, food, UK companies on display and much more.
Info 1 877 517 9362
britishshow@aol.com, sean@britishshow.net
www.britishshow.net
Australia
Scottish House BBQ
1st January 2007
Guildford NSW
Scottish House will be holding a BBQ Lunch at the Scottish Cultural Centre, Cnr. Calliope Street and Military Road, Guildford (opp. Railway Station). Open 10.30am Lunch 12.30pm. Booking required. Tickets $15.00 per person.
Send details to PO Box 1065 Guildford 2161.
Tel: Enquiries 9681–7705.
12th Annual Fred Logan New Year's Day Scottish Gathering
1st January 2007
Petrie Park
Nambour Qld
Celebrate New Year in full Scottish tradition.
Info Fred 07 5441 4238
PO Box 5281 SCMC, Qld. 4560.
The Lakes School of Celtic Music, Song and Dance Gaelic workshop.
2–7th January 2007
Koroit, Vic
Info 0413 801 294
www.bushwahzee.com
Brisbane Clans Pipes & Drums Burns Supper Dance
20th January 2007
Wellers Hill
Brisbane
Info 07 3369 2232
Celtic Australia Day Festival – Bradfield Park, North Sydney
26th January 2007
Under the Harbour Bridge
North Sydney, NSW
Australia Day (Friday 26th January 2007).
The 16th Festival, and the fifth time at this venue.
Information from Margaret Winnett – Director of Festivals for CCA or (02) 9150 6765
Bankstown Scottish Assoc. Dessert Night at Scottish Hall, Bankstown.
10th February 2007
Bankstown, NSW
Info 02 9599 2317.
21st Annual Berwick Highland Games at Akoonah Park, Berwick.
11th February 2007
Berwick, Vic
Pipe bands, stalls, dancers, dogs and much more.
Info Ross Chudleigh 03 9703 1161 or 03 9707 2093.
Qld–Queensland Highland Pipers Society meeting and pipers nights at Balmoral Bowls Club.
26th February 2007
Brisbane
Info 07 3397 4512.
New Zealand
136th Annual Waipu Highland Games at Caledonian Park, Waipu.
1st-2nd January 2007
Caledonian Park
Waipu
NZ's largest Scottish event
info PO Box 34, Waipu, 0254
www.highlandgames.co.nz
Turakina Highland Games
27th January 2007
Kurakina Domain
Turakina
Info 06 327 3861
tullochgorum@xtra.co.nz
14th Annual Paeroa Highland Games and Tattoo at Paeroa Domain
10th February 2007
Paeroa
9am–9pm
Info Russell Player 07 862 7320
player.agencies@actrix.gen.nz
India
Glasgow Auld Students Reunion
Saturday 13th January
Kolkata, India
The 53rd Annual Reunion for alumni of the Universities of Strathclyde and Glasgow will be held in Kolkata.
For further information please contact Alumni & Development.
Chennai Alumni Group Dinner – Strathclyde University
Saturday 13th January
Chennai, India
The inaugural meeting and dinner of the Chennai Alumni Group will be held at the Shanghai Club in the Chola Sheraton at 7pm. This is a great opportunity for alumni in southern India to renew old acquaintances, meet new people and share connections to Strathclyde. The cost of the evening is Rs 750 per person. If you would like to attend, please contact Nithi Sevaguru or Ashok Anantram.
