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For local organizations recurring monthly events, please visit the SNIM webpages.
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EVENTS
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Tartan Day McCracken Ceilidh
The Tartan Day Cooperative looked for someone with just a wee bit of experience with ceilidh’s so the McCracken Clan stepped in and we will give it a go! The ceilidh will be April 9th, 2010 from 6:00pm to 11:00pm.
Kieran’s Pub has generously offered to host our ceilidh again this year in their brand new location on Block E, downtown Minneapolis. You will be able to order food from their menu. They will have live music in the main room. The Ceilidh will be in the Titanic Room with traditional Scottish Ceilidh Dancing, raffles and impromptu entertainment. This is a FREE event!
Event: http://eventful.com/minneapolis/events/2010-minnesota-tartan-day-celebrations-/E0-001-028421886-0
If you or anyone you know may want to perform an act or some music, contact Andrew McCracken at andrewmcc@izoom.net.
Tartan Day Capitol Event – Minnesota State Capitol
April 10, 2010; 3:00pm-4:00pm
The Tartan Day State Capitol event will feature a procession of Scottish Clans with their banners up to the steps of the Capitol, drummers, Highland dancers, historical Scottish regiment re-enactors and of course, bagpipes with special honored guest, Mayor Chris Coleman piping in. The Macalester Pipe Band will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award and be honored for their contribution.
April 10, 2010; 5:00pm
Join us at Merlin’s Rest for a great meal and a pint! Their new (Scottish) chef has been making changes to the menu, including some family favorites.
We encourage all Minnesotans, whether Scots or not, to join us as we proudly celebrate our heritage. And if you can’t attend in person, be sure to wear your tartan and a Tartan Day Button!
RSCDS 34th Annual Ball
The Royal Scottish Country Dance Society Twin Cities Branch is eagerly anticipating its 34th Annual Ball, which will be a MASQUERADE BALL, on April 17th, 2010 at St. Stephen’s School in Minneapolis. The event will include a reception with substantial hors d’oeuvres, Scottish country dancing with live music by Thistledown Band (Sherry Ladig, Ken Steffenson, Pat O’Loughlin, and Anne Benson), an auction, and prizes for the best masks. Tickets are just $35 for the full evening, $25 for non-dancers. More information, including the dance program here: http://www.rscds-twincities.org/annualball.html
“The Very Small Things in Life”, Talk by Alexander McCall Smith
Just wanted to make you aware of an offer that the TCSC has received from the State Theatre, It is as follows:
Take advantage of this great discount offer now to see Alexander McCall Smith – April 26th – 7:30pm
Alexander McCall Smith will give a talk entitled “The Very Small Things in Life” for approximately one-hour, followed by 20-30 minutes of audience questions. Mr. McCall Smith’s books will be for sale at the event. Immediately following his talk, he will participate in a book signing.
Alexander McCall Smith has written more than 60 books, including specialist academic titles, short story collections, and a number of immensely popular children’s books. Referred to as our new P.G. Wodehouse, he is best known for his internationally acclaimed No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series, which rapidly rose to the top of the bestseller lists throughout the world.
Buy tickets now and receive $10 Off $19.50 seats! Offer ends April 26.
The link to order tickets is: http://www.ticketmaster.com/promo/yokygk
Cheers!
Norma R. Macdonald
President
Twin Cities Scottish Club
State Theatre | 805 Hennepin Avenue | Minneapolis, MN 55402
3rd Annual Northeast South Dakota Celtic Faire and Games
The third annual Northeast South Dakota Celtic Faire and Games will take place September 18th and 19th, 2010 in Aberdeen, SD, at the Brown County Fairgrounds. It will be a two day event this year! Visit the website at www.nesdcelticfaire.com and be sure to check back closer to the date. If anyone is interested in going, they should look into booking hotels now. It was recently announced that the Northern State University (a local college) homecoming weekend will be that same weekend. Hotel rooms will be hard to find soon. Thank you!
Robin O’Neill, President
NESD Celtic Faire and Games
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NEWS
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Minnesota Police Pipe Band mourns the passing of Tim Fitzgerald.
Fitz piped with the band for many years, served as band manager, designed our cap badge and was instrumental in establishing our relationship with the Emerald Society. In addition to his work with MPPB, Fitz was an indispensible part of the Midwest Irish Community. Fitz died peacefully in his sleep on March 3rd and we all will miss him.
Highland Dancing Headlines the May 22 MN Scottish Fair & Highland Games
Along with Heavy Games and Bagpiping, no Scottish event would be complete without the highly skilled dancers in their bright costumes. This year is no exception. Featuring dancers from the U.S. and Canada, the contest will run throughout the day in multiple classes. At this competition, spectators will see young dancers ages 6 & 7, to dancers over 18 years old. Boys and girls compete together, the only separation being experience and age. At one time only males were allowed to competed in highland dancing , today 95% of the dancers are female. Our competition will have several champion dancers. A dancer becomes a champion dancer by winning a Championship Competition in front of three judges and dance specific steps for each dance.
Sponsoring the awards for the third straight year is the member Clans of the Minnesota Coalition of Scottish Clans (MCSC) and the Fair Board is grateful for their partnership
Sanctioned Pipe Band competition returns to the MN Scottish Fair and Highland Games
After an absence of 5 years, pipe bands will again be competing for points toward the Northern Midwest Championship. This Sanctioning by the Midwest Pipe band Association, legitimizes the contest and adds prestige. Grade 3, 4, and 5 bands will bring their best effort and showmanship in an attempt to bring home the “bacon” (or haggis as the case may be). By sanctioning the competition, the fair will attract better and more competitive bands from around the United States and Canada. This level of contest will make the Mass Bands at the Closing Ceremonies better (and louder) than ever!
All of this is made possible with the generous sponsorship of Kieran’s Irish Pub.
Wanted! – Harpers to participate in the 2nd Annual SHSA Scottish Harp Competition at the Minnesota Scottish Fair – May 22nd
Lever and wire harp players of all ages and skill levels are invited to compete in several categories for solo and ensemble. Competition will be judged by internationally recognized master player, Minnesota’s own Ann Heymann. See the SHSA website at shsa.org for rules.
Also needed: volunteers and supporters for the harp competition (May 22.) Volunteers should be available for a short shift during the day to assist the players and judge. Supporters can help by sponsoring or donating a prize, or donating cash, gift certificates, or other items toward competition prizes.
Last, but not least, please stop by the event to enjoy the music and support local and regional harpers with your presence. Both events will also feature a time for anyone interested in having a go at playing the harp’s
For more information, please contact Cindy Schaufenbuel: cindy.schaufenbuel@gmail.com or (952) 693-3755.
Laura MacKenzie & Ross Sutter Duo
Laura MacKenzie and Ross Sutter are working on their duo recording of Robert Burns songs and music. They hope to have it finished by May, and Scottish Fair time!
www.lauramackenzie.com
www.rosssutter.net
The Center for Irish Music @ The Celtic Junction
Welcome to a new term at the Center for Irish music! We had a wonderful Winter term and a fruitful and busy St. Patrick’s Day season. Congratulations to all of our instructors and to our adult and student ensembles who performed to delighted crowds at various St. Paddy’s Day events!
WE NEED YOU TO REGISTER FOR SPRING CLASSES NOW! All group classes need a minimum of 4 registered students to run, sso please don’t wait! St. Patrick’s Day is over; we know you missed us during the break. What are you waiting for?
Most of our classes begin next week, but there are a few that start a bit later:
Learning songs in Irish and English with Daithi Sproule (begins Thursday, April 1)
Adult intro to fiddle with Danielle Enblom (begins Wednesday, April 14)
Adult continuing fiddle with Danielle Enblom (begins Thursday, April 15)
http://www.centerforirishmusic.org
The Celtic Junction | 836 Prior Avenue, N. | St. Paul, MN 55104
House of Gordon
Attention all ye Minnesota Gordon’s and friends of Gordon’s. We now have a MN Convener. Actually it will be shared by TWO people. Michael Hilden and Julie Bowman. In addition there will be a House of Gordon tent this year at the MN Scottish Fair. Please feel free to contact the new conveners at their e-mail address: ClanGordonMN@yahoo.com
Lifetime Achievement Award – “Press Release” from Babs Humphrey
Barbara Reyelts to receive prestigious award
Duluth’s Barbara Reyelts will be presented with a prestigious award soon and this time it’s not for broadcasting. The Minnesota Tartan Day Cooperative has selected Barbara as the 2010 recipient of their Lifetime Achievement Award. Barbara, whose efforts on behalf of her Scottish heritage are well known to Northlanders will be presented with the award during the 12th Annual Tartan Day celebrations in the Twin Cities. The events will begin on Friday evening, April 9, starting at 6:00 p.m. in the “new” Kieran’s Irish pub located in Block E on Hennepin Avenue in Downtown Minneapolis. The evening, to kick off the weekend of fun, will include music, pipes, fantastic food and a Tombola booth auction to raise funds for the Tartan Day celebration. A beautiful plaque created by the Twin Cities Scottish Club will be presented to Barbara during the evening.
The celebration continues on Saturday afternoon, April 10, at 3:00 p.m. with a procession of Scottish Clans from the Veterans memorial building up the mall to the steps of the Capitol. Highland dancers, bagpipes, some from Duluth, the historical Scottish regiment re-enactors, Clann Tartan, as well as surprises will fill the afternoon program. Special guests will present Barbara Reyelts with the 8th annual Lifetime Achievement Award on behalf of the Minnesota Tartan Day Cooperative.
Following the celebration on the steps of the Capitol, those interested can gather at Merlin’s Rest, Lake Street and 36th Avenue South in Minneapolis for a great meal and a pint. The new Scottish chef has been making changes to the menu which now includes some family favorites. Later, at 7:30 p.m. the Macalester College Pipe Band will offer their spring concert in the Janet Wallace Fine Arts Building on the Macalester Campus.
Everyone is welcome to attend one or all of these events. We are looking forward to a great turn out from DSHA members as well as Scots from all over Minnesota as she, who has done so much for the Northland and throughout Minnesota, is honored. Join us in the Twin Cities to honor Barbara Macpherson Reyelts, Scottish lass extraordinaire.
