A Scottish tradition filled with poetry, dancing and libations is gearing up for an annual celebration in Penticton.
Get ready for a party as only the Scots can put on in honour of their national poet hero, Robbie Burns. On Saturday, Jan. 26, the Naramata Scottish Country Dancers and the Shatford Centre are hosting a full-scale Burns Supper with all the traditional ceremony, finery, speeches and lively Celtic entertainment.
It was 100 years ago, that the first Burns Supper was held in Penticton. At that time, these events were for men only and, from a picture of the event, only for Scottish men in kilts. The 2013 Burns Supper, however, is for anyone interested in a delicious dinner — plenty besides the traditional haggis including vegetarian dishes — a glimpse into Scottish traditions and Celtic music and dance.
The Shatford Centre is fortunate to welcome Strachan Birnie, charter member of the Vancouver Burns Club who will deliver the keynote speech The Immortal Memory. Entertainment for the evening will include Fiddle Kids, the Summerland Pipes and Drums, the Naramata Scottish Country dancers, Liz Lupton on violin, and Bob Moss, tenor, with Kristi Lind accompanying. In keeping with the traditional nature of a Burns Supper, the style for the event will be “casual elegance,” so no sportswear or jeans.
Tickets are $40 and will be available at the Shatford Centre and The Book Shop (244 Main St., Penticton) and are expected to sell quickly. For further information, contact the Shatford Centre at 250-770-7668.
Also celebrating the poet on Jan. 26 is the Okanagan Caledonian Pipe Band with their 13th annual Robbie Burns Night at the Penticton Legion. Social hour begins at 5 p.m. followed by the traditional Burns Supper with haggis and all the trimmings at 6 p.m. Entertainment for the evening includes pipes and drums, Highland dancers and a Celtic singer. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased at Carl’s Flowers on Front Street in Penticton or by calling 250-493-6331.