News – April 19, 2010
The Pipes of Christmas Recommends –
“One Sunday with Rabbie – A Bardic Feast”
Join “Pipes of Christmas” favorites, Andrew Weir and the Scottish band, Local Hero, as they celebrate Scotland’s greatest national poet: Robert Burns with an afternoon of verse, fine food, spirits, and fabulous Scottish music. “One Sunday with Rabbie” will be held on Sunday, May 23, 2010 at 4:00 PM at Swift Bar – NYC located at 34 East 4 Street (between Lafayette Place and Bowery) in New York City. The program is being presented by Greenwich Green Music, the Clan Currie Society, Swift Bar – NYC, and “The Pipes of Christmas.”
“One Sunday with Rabbie” was created by Weir and the musicians of Local Hero to showcase not only the wonderful poetry of Scotland’s national bard, but the rich melodies of Burns’ homeland, life and times. In addition to the song and verse, the proprietors of Swift Bar – NYC will be hosting and catering the event, insuring a veritable “groaning board” of Scottish delicacies, including Scottish cheeses, lamb, salmon and of course, haggis.Seating for this special Scots afternoon is extremely limited. Advance ticket purchase is highly recommended. All seats are $50. To purchase tickets visit www.pipesofchristmas.com or http://onesundaywithrabbie.eventbrite.com.
About Andrew Weir
Andrew Weir’s screen debut came at the age of 13, playing the Young Hamish in Mel Gibson’s Braveheart. In 1997, he was crowned Scottish Junior Burns Recitation Champion, which led to his appearance as the man himself at the Epcot Center in Walt Disney World in Florida. He has a host of television, film, radio and theatre productions under his belt including 5 years with the BBC and starring opposite Star Trek’s Marina Sirtis in Operation Gadgetman for Hallmark.
Andrew forms one half of 3 Degree Burns (with fellow Braveheart actor John Murtagh); the Burns themed entertainment, which has been featured in events in the USA, Canada and throughout the UK and Ireland. Andrew has lived in New York since early 2005 and now works as a Brand Ambassador for the Balvenie Single Malt Scotch Whisky.
Andrew joined the company of the critically-acclaimed Pipes of Christmas concerts in 2006.
About Local Hero
Local Hero, featuring champion fiddler, Paul Woodiel, flute and bagpipe virtuoso, Christopher Layer and pianist, Susie Petrov has been regaling audiences with their performances of the traditional music of Scotland. Dancers and listeners alike have thrilled to their selections that range from the thoughtful and lyrical to the vigorous and toe-tapping melodies that make up the Scottish idiom.
Paul, an unabashed purveyor of all violin styles, currently performs in the Broadway hit, “West Side Story.” He has played for popular artists including a recent week with Sting, and together with Christopher Layer anchors the lineup of the Moab Music Festival. Susie has been researching, playing and teaching Scottish music for nigh on to 30 years and met Paul in 1988. Since then, Local Hero has performed for highland balls, concerts and festivals in the USA, Canada and Scotland.
Paul, Christopher and Susie first met Andrew Weir performing for Clan Currie’s “Pipes of Christmas” concert. Andrew grew up in Ayr, Scotland and began memorizing the poems of fellow Aryshireman, Robert Burns while still in elementary school.
This ensemble has had the opportunity to present the poetry of Robert Burns set against the music of Burns’ late 18 century. By bringing together the food, the drink, the music and the poems of Scotland’s national poet and by setting it all in one of Burns’ favorite places- the pub- audiences have the chance to experience a small part of the life of a gifted genius. Most concerts include songs, but in this program, you will hear the experience and the melodies as separate entities juxtaposed in such a way as to show the timelessness and immediacy of the message of Robert Burns.
About The Pipes of Christmas
From the bold sounds of the bagpipes and the harmonious blending of brass, strings and percussion, to the poetic and lyrical words that complement them, the Pipes of Christmas is a festival for the soul. Audience-goers return year after year to experience the program, many reporting that the Pipes of Christmas has become part of their family’s annual Christmas tradition.
Featured performers include the Kevin Ray Blandford Memorial Pipe Band from Redlands, CA, Andrew Weir, three-time New England Fiddle Champion, Paul Woodiel, and the Solid Brass ensemble.
The concert is produced by the Clan Currie Society, a non-profit, tax-exempt educational and cultural institution. Debuting in 1999, The Pipes of Christmas has played to standing room only audiences. In 2006, the concert made its NYC debut at the beautiful Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church as a fundraiser for the Society’s music scholarship program.
The 2010 concerts are scheduled to return on Saturday, December 18 in New Jersey and Sunday, December 19 in Manhattan.