8th Annual Burns Night

The Scottish Society of Louisville invites the public to another Burns Night Dinner and Dance on Saturday, January 29. The venue has been moved to The Olmstead, the newly renovated historic building on the grounds of the Masonic Widows and Orphans Home at 3701 Frankfort Avenue. The life and work of the poet laureate of Scotland will be celebrated with an evening filled with traditional toasts and entertainment that will satisfy your Celtic sensibilities.

The festivities begin at 6 p.m. with a cash bar and a traditional Scottish dinner (including haggis and wee drams for the toasts) will commence at 6:45. The entertainment lineup this year is loaded. Cincinnati's acclaimed Silver Arm will furnish traditional Scottish folk music and song. Rock can vouch that this is a very fine group which alone warrants the price of admission.

A special treat this year is the choral ensemble Coterie who will sing some of Burns' compositions and lead the revelers in some sing-a-longs. They toured Scotland in 1998 and were voted "Best Local Musician" in the 1995 Louisville Magazine Reader Poll.

The Royal Scottish Country Dance Society will be on hand to demonstrate some traditional steps as well as to assist all who dare to join in delightful, casual ceilidh dancing. All Celtic blood will be set to boil by a concert by The Louisville Pipe Band, which is preparing for its trip to the World Pipe Band Championship in Glasgow, Scotland. This is a grand evening so act fast to get your reservations. The cost is$30 per person. No Tickets Will Be Sold At The Door.

Send your checks to "Burns Night Tickets" 3814 Glenwillow Way, Louisville, KY 40299-3306. Call (502) 266-0895 for more information.

Drowsy Maggie at Molly Malone's

If you would rather hear Irish music on January 29, proceed to Molly Malone's Irish Pub to hear Louisville's legendary Drowsy Maggie. DM's barn-burning style never fails to get the Molly crowd moving. Leader Gerry Forde says this is his best lineup ever for the original Celtic group in Louisville, so check them out.

Galloglas at CoffeeStop

The CoffeesStop Concert Series at Bardstown Road Presbyterian Church (1722 Bardstown Rd.) sponsors an eclectic monthly music concert. On Sunday, January 16 they are bringing back Galloglas to perform their intriguing mix of traditional, contemporary and original music and song from Ireland, Scotland and England. Check the LMN Calendar for the time. This is a nice venue for people who like to listen. For more information call (502) 451-8305.

Northern Ireland to Invade Louisville

Get ready for a mighty St. Patrick's season. Coming directly from County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, The Clonoe Independent Pipe Band will arrive in Louisville on March 10. They will march in Louisville's St. Patrick's Parade (from Mid-City Mall to Cave Hill) on Saturday, March 11. They will be in Cincinnati's parade on March 12 and that night will perform in concert at Thomas More College in Northern Kentucky. They will be playing at various venues in the region and more details will be coming in the February LMN. This is an All-Ireland champion pipe band, originally formed in 1917, which was disbanded for a time during "The Troubles" but has reformed with a vigor that has turned heads in the pipe band world. Stay tuned!

Events Not to Miss in A.D. 2000

The Chieftains return to Louisville! Mark March 3 for a Friday night concert in Whitney Hall-Kentucky Center for the Arts. (Thank you, Richard Van Kleeck wherever you are!). This is THE Irish music group against whom all others are made to measure.

Highland Games: The Kentucky Scottish Weekend

At General Butler Sate Park, Carrolton (May 13-14) and The Glasgow Highland Games, Barren River State Park (June 1-4). Organizers will no doubt be doing everything possible to make these already spectacular events even more so for A.D. 2000. Stop by the Celtic Centre on Chenoweth Lane for brochures.

St. Patrick's Celebrations

With the parade on the Saturday before (March 11) and the Feast Day itself on Friday March 17, it should be a mighty week with County Tyrone's Clonoe Independent Pipe Band on hand. The places to be are The Irish Rover and Molly Malone's. On Sunday March 12, The Irish Rover will have a special benefit for the Spina Bifida Foundation, featuring the music of The Rashers.

The Cincinnati Celtic Festival.

You can console yourself about the demise of the Louisville Irish Family Fest by trekking to the Queen City in early October for this tremendous exhibition of Celtic art, music and culture at Coney Island Park.

Louisville Pipe Band Benefit Concert

To help raise funds for its trip to the World Pipe Band Championship in Glasgow, Scotland, the LPB will perform in concert on Saturday, April 1 at The Clifton Center. The McClanahan School of Irish Dance as well as at least one Celtic folk group will provide an exciting evening of entertainment not to be missed.

Galloglas Seasonal Celebrations

These shows always pack the house at The Rudyard Kipling. The "Celtic Hearts" Valentine show is coming February 12. Look for the Halloween and Christmas shows as well.

Sessions at Molly Malone's Irish Pub

Every Sunday afternoon from 4 to 7 p.m., there is an opportunity for a mellow session of traditional music and song by a variety of volunteers representing most of the local groups (Ten Penny Bit, The Rashers, Galloglas, Cloigheann) as well as an ever-increasing number of players from the region. All players (as well as listeners) are welcome.

Slan, Decimus Rock