TARTAN WEEK NEWS 2012/3

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SCOTLAND TAKES NEW YORK AS TARTAN WEEK ARRIVES
April, 2013

By Iona Crawford

Bagpipe players in the Parade (all images courtesy of Mark Beaumont or Cutty McGill for the American-Scottish Foundation)

“It’s been Tartan Fortnight in New York, from music to fashion, film, energy and business forums – but let’s not forget pipers, kilts and tartan!

Tartan Day Celebrations take place all over the States, and indeed the world, on April 6th. New York is an epicenter for Scotland Tartan Week celebrations and the corner stone is the annual New York Tartan Day Parade, where over 2000 pipers, societies, clans, and a large pack of Scotties and Westies take Sixth Avenue.

This year was the 15th Anniversary of the Parade, and The Luxury Channel invited the The American-Scottish Foundation, one of the Parade’s founding organizers, to give us their overview. In turn, they invited leading Scottish fashion designer Iona Crawford to take on reporting duties – kicked off by an exclusive meeting with Parade Grand Marshall Kevin McKidd – and to share with us a few of the highlights from throughout her busy visit to New York.” – Camilla G. Hellman, The Luxury Channel’s Director of Marketing USA.

Iona Crawford and Kevin McKidd pose for a picture

A crisp spring morning in Manhattan, with blue cloudless skies shining down on a fabulous patchwork of multicolored tartan. I arrived as the line up for the Parade was beginning to take, and the streets around Sixth Avenue were filled with highland warriors young and old, Shetland ponies in knitwear, Westies in tammie hats and kilts, with pipers getting ready for their day of pride and celebration….again, Scotland Day was upon us and there was a parade to be marched!

Grand Marshal Kevin McKidd waves to the crowds

This, the annual Tartan Day Parade, first established by the Canadians as their Tartan Day in the mid 1980s, has grown in stature and popularity as Scots from around the world meet to march in unison.

For me, whilst I was in Southampton New York around the same time last year, this was my first experience of New York Tartan Day Parade, and what an experience it was!

Vikings from Shetland

Meeting at the Algonquin Hotel around noon where organizers, Scottish politicans, winning bands and all manner of people were meeting – including a large group of Vikings from Shetland, I had the good fortune of speaking with Kevin McKidd, Grand Marshall for this year’s parade. Having only ever viewed Kevin in his roles as Owen in Gray’s Anatomy and Tommy in Trainspotting, it was utterly lovely sharing a conversation with the man himself, dressed in softly toned Howie Nicholsby 21st Century Kilts attire. I discovered that his daughter and I share the same name and that his parents had travelled from his hometown in Elgin to share his Scotland Day honour.

A Scottie wearing tartan

But I couldn’t stay with him too long as I too had an important role to play as co-judge in selecting the prize-winning Westies and Scotties, alongside Camilla Hellman from the American Scottish Foundation. I then had to rush back up through hundreds of kilted warriors to try and locate my group – losing Camilla in the melee of men, women, children, dogs and horses.

Westie twins wearing tartan

On the strike of two o’clock, with gusto the Parade began. Pipe-bands, each with their own signature composition, marched in time, batons twirling, highland dancers leaping and faces beaming with pride for their shared heritage, roots and fellow clansmen.

Bagpipe players in the Parade

Following the Parade, I went on to a reception, meeting up with leading Scottish sculptor Andy Scott, who was in New York scouting for a location to move the wonderful 20ft Kelpies from Chicago to New York – he was returning to Scotland to work further on the installation of the 100ft Kelpies, part of the Helix project on the Firth of Forth.

Photographer Ken Paterson then spoke with me about his exhibit at Federal Hall on Wall Street, In The Footsteps of John Muir, a month-long exhibition honoring John Muir. So much to see and do!

Tartan Week is an opportunity for people to meet, discuss and plan, and this week has been a whirl of that. Former Grand Marshall of the Parade Alan Cummings was opening on Broadway in MacBeth, a National Theatre of Scotland production, although sadly I didn’t manage to get to see the production.

Everyone wears tartan

I was keen to embrace as much music, arts, culture and heritage as possible. Musical concerts included performances by Stanley Odd, Rachel Sermanni, The Proclaimers, and The View. Roseanne Cash also performed a benefit concert for Sandy Relief in support of a campaign to repair of one of the Schooners damaged during Hurricane Sandy. It’s clear that New York is still reeling from the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy. Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty are shut to visitors, and Battery Park is a wasteland, having been hard-hit by a 14ft surge of water. As apparent as the devastation is, residents are confident that this won’t last for long – this is New York. I was sorry to miss Roseanne’s concert which took place on Monday night, the same night as From Scotland With Love hit the runway at Stage Forty8 in Midtown Manhattan. An annual Scotland Week show, the theme for this year – The Asian Dragon Meets The Scottish Lion – brought together a fusion of Asian and Scottish fashion design upon a glamorous runway.

For me, a definite jewel in the Scotland Week crown was the launch of Highland Heart, an exhibition of masterful photography by Scottish, New York-based David Eustace. Taking place within his very own studio on West 26th Street, Friday’s exhibition was more than heart-wrenching and reminded me why, as much as I adore New York, Scotland will always be home.

An Iona Crawford creation

My magnificently fast-paced week of meetings, shows, shoots, events and glorious sunshine in New York reached a magnificent crescendo, as I was exclusively invited to showcase my current collections within the spectacularly ornate surrounds of Manhattan’s famous Metropolitan Club duringThe National Trust for Scotland Gala Dinner. There could have been no more magical a way to conclude my week and better still, I know that time will be short before my next business trip to New York.

For more information on Iona Crawford, please visit www.ionacrawford.com or contact her on +44 (0) 7816504926 / iona@ionacrawford.com

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Arbroath Abbey Action Group

March 29, 2013

TO THE ORGANISERS OF THE NEW YORK TARTAN DAY:

GREETINGS FROM ARBROATH ABBEY ACTION GROUP. We, the above group, felt it fitting and proper that you, as a Group celebrating Tartan Day, should receive warm greetings for the 6th April, from the place where it all began, Arbroath Abbey.

Our Abbey still stands, although a ruin, it has a very informative Visitor Centre and is accepted as a beautiful historical setting for weddings.

As you know The Declaration of Arbroath was signed and sealed at Arbroath Abbey on 6th April 1320. The Declaration has been described as "One of the masterpieces of political rhetoric" and "A document whose words should have been written in gold".

It is widely known that this document, the first and many claim the finest written concept of nationhood, gave rise to some of the wording of your own American Declaration of Independence, drawn up and signed over 450 years later.

What is not so widely known is that it was a man, Dr. William Small, from the Arbroath area who took this concept with him to America, and was instrumental in tutoring the principal author of the American Declaration in the niceties of nationhood. Dr. Small was professor of mathematics and natural philosophy at William and Mary College in Williamsburg, Virginia. One of his students was Thomas Jefferson who said of Small, "It was my great good fortune, and what probably fixed the destinies of my life, that Dr. William Small of Scotland was then professor of mathematics." What Jefferson almost certainly got from his Scottish professor was the concept of independence and freedom, and distilled down, that knowledge and understanding found its way into the American Declaration of Independence.

So, once again, warm and hearty greetings from the Arbroath Abbey Action Group and wishing you all success for your Tartan Day Celebrations.

Harry Ritchie
Chairman

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The Scottish Are Coming! The Scottish Are Coming!

at 59E59 Theaters, 59 East 59th Street, NYC

The thrill of Good With People by David Harrower (last year's hit A Slow Air at 59E59) is the teaming of Scottish star Blythe Duff with handsome Andrew Scott-Ramsay, who many of you will remember as one of the young lovers in Yellow Moon (Brits Off Broadway 2008). Blythe and Andrew together are explosive!  George Perrin (Terre Haute in Theater B) directs this Edinburgh success which officially open Brits Off Broadway 2013 and celebrates the 50th anniversary of Edinburgh's new writing theatre, The Traverse.

The thrill of Bullet Catch (the unassailable sold-out hit of last year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe) lies in its explosive subject matter - a stunt so dangerous Houdini refused to attempt it. Some members have already seen the show in Edinburgh - and were blown away by it. Our own President and Artistic Director, Elysabeth Kleinhans, even participated in it, to the consternation of one of our members - who I know will be seeing it again! Rob Drummond, a young actor and a writer of almost other-worldly talent, stars. Bullet Catch is indeed the one to catch as it is limited to only nineteen performances in Theater C.

 

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February 22, 2013

American Links for Abbey Action Group

THE ARBROATH Abbey Action Group is hoping to forge closer links with four US cities which hold annual Tartan Day parades as April 6 approaches.

 

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Tartan Day Observance

Friday April 13 2012
Dag Hammarskjold Plaza

The Ceremony began with piping from Andy Hamilton, New York Metro Pipe Band. Remarks were made by Elaine Smith, MSP, Deputy Presiding Officer and ASF Chairman Heather L. Bain with music from New York based Scottish bard Mike Ogletree.

Gerda Stevenson, Scottish writer and actress read Senate Resolution 155, with an excert of the Declaration of Arbroath read by renowned Scottish actor Brian Cox.

SENATE RESOLUTION 155

Introduction

In 1998, the US Congress designated April 6th as national "Tartan Day," to celebrate the contributions to America by Scottish-Americans. The date is the anniversary of the Declaration of Arbroath (1320), one of the first documents in the world to declare a right to freedom.

Whereas April 6 has a special significance for all Americans, and especially those Americans of Scottish descent, because the Declaration of Arbroath, the Scottish Declaration of Independence, was signed on April 6, 1320 and the American Declaration of Independence was modelled on that inspirational document;

Whereas this resolution honors the major role that Scottish-Americans played in the founding of this Nation, such as the fact that almost half of the signers of the Declaration of Independence were of Scottish descent, the Governors in 9 of the original 13 States were of Scottish ancestry, Scottish Americans successfully helped shape this country in its formative years and guide this Nation through its most troubled times;

Whereas this resolution recognizes the monumental achievements and invaluable contributions made by Scottish-Americans that have led to America's preeminence in the fields of science, technology, medicine, government, politics, economics, architecture, literature, media, and visual and performing arts;

Whereas this resolution commends the more than 200 organizations throughout the United States that honor Scottish heritage, tradition, and culture, representing the hundreds of thousands of Americans of Scottish descent, residing in every State, who already have made the observance of Tartan Day on April 6 a success;

Whereas these numerous individuals, clans, societies, clubs, and fraternal organizations do not let the great contributions of the Scottish people go unnoticed:

Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the Senate designates April 6 of each year as "National Tartan Day".

EXCERPT FROM THE DECLARATION OF ARBROATH

"[...]By the Providence of God, the right of succession, those laws and customs which we are resolved to defend even with our lives, and by our own just consent, he is our King: and to him who has brought salvation to his people through the safeguarding of our liberties, as much by his own deserving as by his rights, we hold and choose in all things to adhere. Yet [King] Robert himself, should he turn aside from the task that he has begun, and yield Scotland or us to the English King and people, we should cast out as the enemy of us all, as subverter of our rights and of his own, and should choose another king to defend our freedom: for so long as a hundred of us are left alive, we will yield in no least way to English dominion. We fight not for glory nor for wealth nor honours; but only and alone we fight for freedom, which no good man surrenders but with his life.

Because of these things, most reverend Father and Lord, praying earnestly from our hearts that before Him as Whose Vicar on Earth you reign, before Him to whom there is but a single weight, Who has one law for Jew and Greek and for Scots and English - before Him will with honesty consider the manifold anguish and tribulation which we and the Church have suffered through the English, and will look upon us with a father's eyes. We pray you to admonish the King of England (to whom his own possessions may well suffice, since England of old was enough for seven Kings or more) that he should leave us in peace in our little Scotland, since we desire no more that is our own, and have no dwelling-place beyond our borders: and we on our part, for the sake of peace, are willing to do all within our power [...]."

See the full Declaration of Arbroath...

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NY Metro Pipe Band wins again!

The ASF was proud to be piped up the Avenue of Americas in 2012 by the New York Metro Pipe Band in the Tartan Day Parade in April.

We would like to give our congratulations to them for winning the 2012 North American Champions - Grade 2 - at The World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow, following on from their win in 2011 at piping's most prestigious competition: The World Pipe Band Championships (3B) in 2011: From strength to strength!

Stay tuned for more news on this fantastic band, and their future partner projects with the ASF.

Upcoming event:
Saturday, November 10, from 7pm

The New York Metro Pipe Band in Concert
BALMORAL CLASSIC America's annual bagpiping celebration
McGonigle Theater, 4720 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
More info. & tickets: www.balmoralclassic.org/node/164

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Indiana State Archives to Accept Hand-Carved Stone Commemorating Scottish-Americans

INDIANAPOLIS (July 10, 2012) – A hand-carved piece of Indiana Limestone from California stone carver Frank Maurer will be dedicated to the Indiana State Archives on July 30th. Maurer has traveled the country, providing numerous states archives with hand-carved stones representing their states. Through the stones, Maurer seeks to draw attention to the heritage of Scottish-Americans and Tartan Day. Indiana State Archivist Jim Corridan will accept the Tartan Stone from Maurer at an event on July 30th at 10:30 a.m. at the Indiana State Library (315 W Ohio Street, Indianapolis).

Tartan day was first declared by the United States Senate as a Resolution in 1998 and later as a national day of recognition in 2008. April 6th was chosen as Tartan Day because Robert the Bruce of Scotland wrote the Declaration of Arbroath on that date in 1320, asking for the freedom of Scotland from England. Thomas Jefferson later used this document as a model for the Declaration of Independence. Maurer created the first Tartan Stone in 2000 with a presentation to the California State Archives.

"The Tartan Stone will be a welcome addition to Indiana's cultural heritage as it commemorates the significant contributions of the thousands of Scottish Hoosiers who have contributed to Indiana and the nation," said Jim Corridan, Director and State Archivist of the Indiana Commission on Public Records.

This event is provided at no cost by the Indiana State Archives and State Library. Those of Scottish descent or those interested in history and genealogy are encouraged to attend. Approximately 30-minutes long, Maurer will illustrate the importance of our State Archives while highlighting the history of Scotland and the United States, Tartan Day, as well as his own Scottish genealogy.

About Frank Maurer

Frank Maurer holds a doctorate in Vertebrate Zoology and Ecology from Cornell University, and has been interpreting the world and its biological systems for several decades. Maurer has traced his ancestral connections to the Picts of Scotland, the master Celtic stone carvers. Launching his stone carving career with a miniature of The Craw Stane of Rhynie, Scotland, Maurer has since branched out, creating both Celtic and non-Celtic themes in stone.

About the Indiana State Archives

The Indiana State Archives collects records of historical value from all branches of Indiana state and local government, including governmental history, census and naturalization records for families, selected medical, military and criminal records, records of land ownership, maps, blueprints and photographs. Visit archives.icpr.IN.gov for a detailed listing of these resources, including links to online exhibits and electronic indices of select records.

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Click here for a very funny article (PDF) from Scotland's Sunday Post about the queues in New York, and the Tartan Day Parade being a nice long queue.... :)

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Museum of American Finance and American-Scottish Foundation Honor Andrew Carnegie During NYC’s
Scotland-Tartan Week 2012

“Andrew Carnegie: Forging Philanthropy” exhibit

Photos: Blacktiemagazine/GMK


Vartan Gregorian, President, Carnegie Corporation of New York,
Heather L. Bain, Director, The American-Scottish Foundation, Inc,
Anthony Mark, President, New York Public Library

The Museum of American Finance opened “Andrew Carnegie: Forging Philanthropy,” an exhibit on Carnegie's life and work, with a spotlight on his love of Scotland, his business life and his hilanthropic activities.  The exhibit was unveiled at an event presented in conjunction with the American-Scottish Foundation in celebration of
Scotland-Tartan Week in New York City.

“Life & Legacy of Andrew Carnegie” panel discussion, was followed by a reception and viewing of “Andrew Carnegie: Forging Philanthropy” exhibit

The Museum of American Finance and the American-Scottish Foundation  co-presented this event. Participants in the panel discussion include the following Carnegie experts: Vartan Gregorian, President, Carnegie Corporation of New York (Introduction); Peter Krass, award-winning author of Carnegie (Moderator); Ellen Condliffe Lagemann, Levy Institute Research Professor, Bard College; Martyn Evans, Chief Executive, Carnegie UK Trust; and Anthony Marx, President, New York Public Library.

Vartan Gregorian, President, Carnegie Corporation of New York

Martyn Evans, Chief Executive, Carnegie UK Trust,
Anthony Marx, President, New York Public Library

Ellen Condliffe Lagemann, Levy Institute Research Professor,
Bard College

Ann Kayman, Alan Ritchie

Myron Kandel, Judith Levy


David Cowen, President & CEO, Museum of American Finance,
Jeanne Baker Driscoll, Director of Development,
Museum of American Finance

Heather L. Bain, Director, The American-Scottish Foundation, Inc,
Michael Zufolo


Heather L. Bain, Director, The American-Scottish Foundation, Inc,
Alan L. Bain, President Emeritus, The American-Scottish Foundation, Inc., Angus M. Hogg, Vice Chair, Carnegie UK Trust

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From Kilts to the Caber

April 10, 2012 - by Ralph "Urban" Gardner

Everyone loves a parade (except, perhaps, if you live on Fifth Avenue). And when parades are held you don't have to tell people to put them on their calendars. They're so loud they need no advertising.

But even in New York it's still possible for parades to fly under the radar. I appreciate that it doesn't happen often, but you can be walking down the street, minding your own business, or waiting for the light to change, when all of a sudden a parade goes by.

A spectacle that may well fit that description is the annual Tartan Day Parade. Celebrating Scottish-American amity, it hasn't yet reached the blockbuster, traffic-snarling, perhaps-this-would-be-a-good-weekend-to-get-out-of-town proportions of such better-known brethren as the St. Patrick's or National Puerto Rican Day Parades.

Marking the culmination of Tartan Week—essentially one giant Scottish product-placement marathon—the parade kicks off this Saturday at 2 p.m. and marches up Sixth Avenue from 44th Street to 56th Street.

Unfortunately, I'll be away—and not because my idea of fun isn't wading through a sea of drunk, face-painted people waving flags. Indeed, I suspect part of the allure of the Tartan Day Parade, if I may be so presumptuous, is that there will be few spectators flaunting the open-bottle laws or blowing vuvuzelas.

Nonetheless, I managed to persuade Alan Bain, president emeritus of the American-Scottish Foundation, and Camilla Hellman, the organization's director of development, to get together with me a few days ago to preview the excitement that those who will be lining the avenue 10—or at least two—deep have in store.

"We always have Scotties," Ms. Hellman stated, referring to the little black terriers. "We had 160 last year."

"It's over that now," Mr. Bain boasted.

There are Westies, too—West Highland White Terriers. And they'll all be herded by MBAs attending the Mountbatten Institute, a one-year paid internship.

And obviously there will be bagpipers galore.

In the 2002 parade, I believe it was, the marchers tried to break the Guinness Book of World Records record for the longest pipe-band parade. They succeeded, if for no other reason than that the Guinness people hadn't yet thought to notice this category of human achievement.

I also wondered about floats. What parade would be complete without floats? I couldn't quite see steel bands and dancers in skimpy costumes (though Mr. Bain confirmed the rumor that kilt wearers often go underwear-free). But perhaps they could run a float that incorporated poet Robbie Burns, or Harris Tweed, or a whiskey distillery.

"Initially, we didn't feel we were ready for it," Mr. Bain said, referring to floats. "Now that we're beginning to feel our way, that may come."

Though not this year. However, he did mention something about golf carts.

Ms. Hellman added that Baxter Bear, a guy in a bear costume, would be doing a "walk about." I wasn't familiar with Baxter Bear, but apparently he's a big deal in Scotland, raising lots of money for charity.

"They thought there was a real bear," Mr. Bain recalled, of the year it was first mentioned to city officials that a bear would be joining the parade. "You should have seen the face of the parade marshal. He blanched."

The parade first kicked off in 1999, with actor Cliff Robertson as grand marshal. It marched a few blocks down Second Avenue. After 2000, it relocated for a couple of years to Central Park, then-Parks Commissioner Henry Stern joining the line of march in a kilt. The brief route went along Literary Walk to the Naumburg Bandshell. "He had his kilt back to front," Mr. Bain remembered. He didn't make a big deal of it, though he did coach Commissioner Stern on the proper way to strap his sporran, the pouch traditionally worn over the front of the kilt that contains one's wallet and car keys.

Sean Connery also sported a kilt, I assume correctly draped, though whether supported or unsupported I neglected to ask, when he led the parade in 2002, the first time it ascended Avenue of the Americas. Mayor Michael Bloomberg also made an appearance that year, though in slacks. This year it's being led by actor Brian Cox.

Mr. Bain said that even a modest parade is complicated; the bands must be spaced out so their music doesn't overlap and they also have to be assigned tunes to avoid redundancy. He estimates there will be 700 bagpipers and drummers and 2,000 participants in all. And then there's the weather.

"It's looking OK," Ms. Hellman stated cheerfully. "I did the 10-day forecast."

"Our vision was not to try to replicate the St. Patrick's Day Parade," Mr. Bain said, answering the question I was reluctant to ask. He sees it more as an opportunity to bring together the tri-state's Scottish-American community and also to raise public consciousness about all things Scottish. "We wanted to make people aware of both our fun side and our serious side," he explained.

Ms. Hellman and Mr. Bain almost forgot to mention the caber. For those unfamiliar with the object, the caber is a heavy pole, or log, about the length and girth of a telephone pole. It's used in the game of caber toss, the winner the contestant who not only throws it farthest, but most gracefully, having it land upright.

"It's quite difficult to transport," Ms. Hellman acknowledged. "It's 26 feet long."

"It's like carrying a coffin," Mr. Bain admitted. In fact, more than a half-dozen people typically lug it up the avenue.

As far as I'm concerned, a caber toss would definitely put the Tartan Day Parade on the map. You can have your floats and bands and even five-story SpongeBob helium balloons. Just give me a flying telephone pole.

Unfortunately, it's not to be.

"No toss," Mr. Bain said, shaking his head.

I suppose I see his point. The Tartan Day Parade's allure rests not only on its buoyant Scottish spirit but also its safety. "And there's no litter," Mr. Bain added.

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WALKERS SHORTBREAD JOINS THE AMERICAN-SCOTTISH FOUNDATION'S TARTAN WEEK CELEBRATIONS IN NYC

HAUPPAUGE, NEW YORK – (March 29, 2012) – The American-Scottish Foundation  (ASF) will get help from the world-renowned Walkers Shortbread bakery as it celebrates Scottish traditions and culture with events throughout New York City as part of NY Tartan Week. 

The ASF helped establish The National Tartan Day New York Committee in 2002 and is one of the three founding organizations of the popular New York Tartan Day Parade, which will run on Sixth Avenue (45th Street to 55th Street) on April 14 starting 2 pm. It attracts thousands who love to march to the tunes of bagpipe bands from around the country and from Scotland.

The ASF is dedicated to strengthening ties between individuals, institutions and businesses of Scotland and the United States.

 Attendees at the three open-to-the-public events will be greeted in Scottish style with a gift of a delicious Walkers Shortbread Twin Pack. Clad in Walkers' distinctive tartan plaid, the twin packs contain classic pure butter shortbread fingers with a rich melt-in-the-mouth texture.  The easy-to-tote packs are ideal to enjoy during the performance or to save for a tasty treat later!

Walkers Shortbread is a favorite with cookie connoisseurs the world over.  The New York Times called the cookies "probably the best food you can buy in a box." The Walkers family still maintains supervision of all of the baking, which is done in Scotland in small batches for the utmost control and quality. Walkers is honored to support Scottish pride in NYC and across the United States.  

The LIFE & LEGACY OF ANDREW CARNEGIE opens at the Museum of American Finance on April 4, spotlighting Carnegie's love of Scotland and exploring the impact of his involvement in philanthropy, business, education and finance.  Twin packs of Walkers shortbread will be handed out to guests at a Panel Discussion & Reception on April 10 starting at 6 pm.  Opening remarks will be given by Dr. Vartan Gregorian and the panel will be moderated by Peter Krass, author of "Carnegie". Tickets available at www.moaf.org.

Song of Return, winner of the Big Apple Tartan Clef Award for the Best New Band from Scotland, gives its debut performance in NYC at Joe's Pub at The Public Theater on April 11 and a second showcase performance at Mercury Lounge on April 14. Renowned Scottish instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, and composer Phamie Gow will also perform.  A portion of ticket sales for this event will be donated to Nordoff Robbins Scotland for its ongoing work in music therapy.  Tickets are $15 and available at www.joespub.com or www.mercuryloungenyc.com. 

Walkers was founded in 1898 and is the leading brand of food exported from Scotland. The family continues to operate its original retail shop in Aberlour in the Highlands to stay in touch with its roots. Walkers has earned numerous British, Commonwealth and international awards including the Queen's Award for Export on four occasions. Walkers offer the widest range of shortbread, traditional cookies, cakes, oatcakes and puddings to over 80 countries internationally.

National Tartan Day was declared in 1998 by the U.S. Congress to honor the contributions by Scottish Americans.  Tartan Day is officially observed on April 6th, the day in 1320 that the Declaration of Arbroath, the Scottish Declaration of Independence, was signed.  The U.S. Declaration of Independence was modeled after this inspirational document.  Visit www.tartanday.org for further information on Tartan Day.

 

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EXHIBITION OF PAINTINGS BY BARBARA BERGER

   

Recent paintings of New York and Edinburgh in a co-exhibition with esteemed landscape and seascape painter Joseph Perez, at the historic Salmagundi Art Club of New York.

The exhibition runs from April 1 through April 15.

The exhibit will include a series of paintings of the Royal Mile Closes, as well as a painting of Glasgow.

See more of Barbara Berger's work here.

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Scotland is exporting a selection of her finest Theatre offerings to New York for Tartan Week; and ASF Members get ticket discounts! Experience theatre by Scottish writers and performers in the Big Apple on limited engagements only…

Presented by The Tron Theatre, Glasgow, Scotland
DAVID HARROWER'S

A SLOW AIR

Written and Directed by DAVID HARROWER With LEWIS HOWDEN and SUSAN VIDLER

At 59E59 Theatres APR 4 - APR 29
Tue, Wed & Thu 7:15, FriI 8:15
Sat 2:15 & 8:15, Sun 3:15

"Sheer perfection – a magnificent play!"
Joyce McMillan, The Scotsman

Morna works as a cleaner for well-off families in Edinburgh. She spends her time drinking, attempting affairs and trying to understand her 20 year old son. Athol, her elder brother, lives near Glasgow airport with his wife Evelyn. The owner of a floor tiling company, with two grown up children, he's proud of his hardwon achievements. Like any brother and sister they have fond and not-so fond memories of their upbringing, differing views on their parents, and definite opinions about each other. Especially so in their case since Morna and Athol haven't spoken to each other in fourteen years...

When Morna's son Joshua travels west to make contact with Athol he sets off, for all of them, a remarkable and life-changing series of events in this new play from Olivier Award-winning playwright David Harrower.

More company info: www.tron.co.uk
Tickets: www.59e59.org or call 212.279.4200
Quote 'SCOTS' when you book to receive a special ASF $5 discount.

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Presented by Communicado Theatre Company

FEDERER VERSUS MURRAY

by Gerda Stevenson
Written and Directed by GERDA STEVENSON
With DAVE ANDERSON and GERDA STEVENSON

At 59E59 Theatres APR 4 - APR 22
Tue, Wed & Thu 7:30, Fri 8:30, Sat 2:30 & 8:30, Sun 3:30 & 7:30
NB: 4/7 - the matinee will begin at 4:00, not 2:30

"Hilarious and heartbreaking!"
The Herald, Scotland

"A taut and punchy one-hour play about marriage, nationalism, and saxophone playing"
The Independent, London

SHORTLISTED FOR THE LONDON FESTIVAL FRINGE THEATRE WRITING AWARD!

RUNNER-UP FOR THE BEST SCOTTISH CONTRIBUTION TO DRAMA AT THE EDINBURGH FESTIVAL FRINGE!

First produced by A Play, A Pie and A Pint at Oran Mor, Glasgow, and now from Assembly on the Edinburgh Fringe - comedy and tragedy collide in Federer versus Murray, a powerful new play about bereavement and war on three levels: the private war between a couple in a long-term marriage, the public war of rivalry within sport, and political war between nations.

A beautiful study of human strength and fragility told through the lives of two very ordinary people, this moving and genuinely funny play unfolds as the (Switzerland versus Scotland) Wimbledon Tennis Semi-Final plays out on television. Federer versus Murray was described by one approving Edinburgh critic last year as 'a Virginia Woolf for the Scottish working class' and Michael Coveney in The Independent praised the two great performers for their 'stealth and restraint'.

Federer versus Murray features live music performed by saxophonist Ben Bryden - a 'Young Scottish Jazz Musician of the Year 2010' finalist, and winner of the Edinburgh Jazz Festival Jam Competition.

More company info: www.communicadotheatre.co.uk
Tickets: www.59e59.org or call 212.279.4200
Quote 'SCOTS' when you book to receive a special ASF $5 discount.

TO KILL A KELPIE

By Matthew McVarish. Directed by Sandy Thomson. A Poorboy theatre production co-produced with Stop the Silence: Stop Child Sexual Abuse, Inc. Supported by Creative Scotland. In association with The Moira Anderson Foundation.

At Theatre 80
APR 6 – APR 8
Fri, Sat & Sun 8pm, Sat & Sun 2pm
APR 13 – APR 15
Fri, Sat & Sun 8pm & Sun 2pm

At St. Luke's Theatre
APR 10-11
Tue 10 7pm & Wed 11 3pm & 8pm

When twin brothers, Dougal and Fin, reunite following the death of their uncle, they share the day they have always hoped would, and would never, happen.

Retelling his gruesome tales of a child-devouring monster – The Kelpie – the men talk to the wee boys they once were, shedding stoicism and sobriety in an isolated Scottish croft.

With the rambunctious humour of those who have lived the unlivable, To Kill a Kelpie journeys through a family album filled with life shaping events and conflicting memories, deftly handling huge themes and fine details with an equal measure of care. Rich in Scottish culture and mythology, Matthew McVarish's searingly honest and uplifting script tells a universal story without borders, realised in Poorboy's trademark engaging, visionary and bold production.

Tickets: www.tokillakelpie.com
Discount Codes: Theatre 80: $3 off quote 'TARTAN' St. Lukes Theatre $17 tickets quote 'KETART17'

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The Big Apple Clef Award - 'Song of Return'

During Tartan Week, the Big Apple Clef Award winner, "Song of Return", presented in association with Creative Scotland and Nordoff Robbins, will perform in New York.

The ASF together with Creative Scotland presented 'Song of Return', winners of the Big Apple Tartan Clef Award, at the Nordoff Robbins Scotland Clef Awards on November 19th. The Award is the result of a competition run throughout Scotland to find the best new band.

'Song of Return' will be playing various shows during Tartan Week 2012:
www.myspace.com/asongofreturn/music/songs/shackles-79888452

In the past eighteen months since 'Song of Return' formed in 2010 they have achieved wide acclaim for their live shows and for their first album "Limits" released in June 2011. They have followed that up with an EP, 'Trajectory' scheduled for release in December 2011.

Alongside their live shows and recordings 'Song of Return' won the 2011 Big Apple Tartan Clef recognizing them as the newest freshest talent in Scotland: Best New Band of 2011. The award is part of the Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy in Scotland Clef Awards and will see the band travel to New York and undertake a series of showcases during Scotland Tartan Week 2012 as a part of The Year of Creative Scotland.


The Big Apple Award is a collaborative partnership between renowned music charity Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy in Scotland, Creative Scotland, The American-Scottish Foundation® and sponsored by Clash Magazine.


The music of 'Song of Return' is as BBC Radio Scotland noted "Huge stadium sized sound..moody and intense..extremely accomplished" - a here and now collection of unsettling dark sounds matched against light to dark vocals, sweeping harmonies & carved melodies within an industrial post-rock frame".


'Song of Return' were formed by Craig Grant and Chris Gordon who have worked together on various other projects including the widely acclaimed "Union of Knives", and with such production giants as multi-platinum selling British producer Steve Osborne (Elbow, Suede, New Order) & Oscar winning producer Atticus Ross (OST The Social Network, OST The Book of Eli, Nine Inch Nails).





'Song of Return' have received praise for their recorded work from broadsheets, podcasts & blogs and a got-to-be-seen live show that has graced stages as diverse as a converted church to legendary venue King Tuts Wah Wah Hut to a disused seminary to railway arches - and now to the stage of the Nordoff Robbins Scotland Clef Awards.

"...moody, intense electro with ethereal male vocals..." Radar Scotland

"Huge stadium sized sound..moody and intense..extremely accomplished"
Vic Galloway, BBC Radio Scotland

"The combined vocal prowess of Craig Grant and Louis Abbott, coupled with top drawer musicianship throughout the band, makes for an enthralling prospect. They also seem to be getting better every time I see them, so try and make it along to a show - their songs take on a whole new intensity live." Euan Roberston, The Scotsman

"Song of Return are undoubtedly dramatic, they neatly sidestep any melodrama to deliver a brilliant, malevolent, soundtrack to some mad scientist's wildest nightmare. There's so much going on on every level, but it's still somehow pent and wound tight. It builds anticipation around their debut album Limits." Nick Mitchell

"Musically its a glorious hybrid of orchestral, electronica and rock, like the cool soundtrack to a dark movie … wonderful musical landscape" Jim Gellatly, The Sun/In Demand Radio Clyde

"Song of Return have arrived.....their musical depth is extraordinary as they can oscillate between fragile, glimmering glows of melody and the full onslaught of heart pounding soundscapes. Song of Return have created music that is beautifully ambient, audibly stunning and an example of what lucid, honest and talented foresight can create. They are simply precious." Halina Rifai, Glasgow Podcart


For further information on Song of Return please contact :
Malky B
Never Make Friends Management
Tel +44 7754495243 Email : malkyb@nevermakefriends.com


For information and US details of the Big Apple Tartan Clef please contact :
Camilla Hellman
American-Scottish Foundation
Tel : +1 212 605 0338 x 4 Email : asfevents@wwbcny.com

To learn more of Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy, view:
www.tartanclef.org/big_apple.html

Support Nordoff-Robbins through the ASF. See more here

 

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Phamie Gow, with friends...

Phamie Gow performed at Parliament Hill in Canada on St. Andrew's Day

Phamie Gow will be performing in New York during Scotland-Tartan Week.

Multi-talented, instrumentalist, singer-songwriter and composer, Phamie Gow has been described as being, 'Scotland's most unique talents' and 'a star of the highest order'.

With six solo albums under her belt, and her seventh album due for UK release later this Spring, Phamie brings her ground breaking celtic-electric harp compositions and beautiful celtic ballads to New York during Scotland Week.

As she self accompanies on the piano, Phamie's innovative compositions and passion for the harp goes beyond musical and cultural boundaries.

She is proud to be an Ambassador of Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy Charity, Scotland.

'A star of the highest order' Nigel Gayler. Classic FM Radio Producer.
'One of the countries most musically gifted artists' UK Focus Entertainment.
'Phamie is a treasure not only in Scotland, but in the world' Ashley Macisaac
"She's cool, she's sharp and she plays the harp" Edinburgh Evening News

Read more about Phamie at www.phamiegow.com

Download a PDF of a recent article about Phamie Gow in The Scotsman, and three pages of write-up in the Edinburgh News here, here and here.

 

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New York Metro Pipe Band to lead ASF up Sixth Avenue

Founded in January 2010 by friends from several area pipe bands, in only it's second year the band traveled to Glasgow and won the World Pipe Band Championship in Grade 3b. The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association has just promoted NY Metro to Grade 2, the penultimate level, skipping 3a altogether. Having come this far in only two years, the band is well on it's way to ensuring that New York City will have a top tier, Grade 1 bagpipe band within the decade.

NY Metro's goal is to provide a platform for the best pipers and drummers in the New York Metro area to compete at the highest possible level on the world stage. Led by Pipe Major Michael Mahoney and Lead Drummer Adrian Mordaunt, NY Metro is committed to advancing our cultural heritage through musical excellence.

The American-Scottish Foundation® & the NY Metro Pipe Band are partnering to further their mutual vision of promoting the Great Highland Bagpipe by exploring financial and youth development programs.

Look for NY Metro, wearing the Ancient Red Gordon tartan, as they lead the American-Scottish Foundation® in this year's Tartan Day Parade.