Scottish Society Plans Pub Night to Celebrate Robert Burns' 253rd Birthday

The following information was submitted by Bob Giles.

Legendary Scottish poet Robert Burns would have been 253 years old on Jan. 25, 2012.  For almost as many years, celebrating the life and works of Robert Burns has been an institution of Scottish life, a fact not forgotten by Detroit-area Scots.  Unfortunately, the poet will have to miss the huge local celebration staged in his honor by the St. Andrew’s Society of Detroit.

The Society is honoring Burns by offering a pub night, beginning at 7 p.m. on Jan 28 at its Kilgour Scottish Centre (2360 Rochester Ct., Troy).

The event will raise money for the Selfridge Community Services Organization, based at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Mt. Clemens. The organization attends to the practical and financial needs of local families who have a spouse deployed abroad.

"It will be an evening of fun, and it’s open to the public," said Eastpointe resident Micki McFarlane, event coordinator for the society. "We plan some great entertainment, music and games, all in a pub-style atmosphere.” 

McFarlane added: “And I’ll guarantee laughter and good friendship among the Scots and our guests who would like to be a Scot for the evening. Period costumes are encouraged, or just come ‘kilt casual.’”

Society Pipe Major David Martin, of Livonia, will lead members of the award-winning St. Andrew’s Pipe Band in entertaining with traditional Scottish music during the Burns Pub Night.  The band was started in 1952 by Walter Rose, making it one of the oldest performing and competing bands in the country.  

The band, led by Martin since 1973, consists of 20 pipers and 10 drummers. With the release of its very first CD album of highland bagpipe music in 2011, The St. Andrew's Pipe Band became one of the newest local recording groups.

Performing with the band will be internationally-recognized Highland dancer Kate DeGood of Birmingham.  Miss DeGood has placed first in several North American dance competitions and among the top winners in International competitions.

“I wouldn’t miss this one," DeGood said. "It’s the place to be!”

Elliot MacFarlane, an expert on Robert Burns literature, returns this year as Master of Ceremonies. MacFarlane, of Bowling Green, OH, is a popular and dynamic storyteller who travels the world to keep alive the rich history of Scots and their brave struggles for cultural identity.

Louise Giles, of Huntington Woods, will offer a toast to the Scottish men.

“I look forward to this opportunity to poke some good-natured fun at our ‘laddies,'" Giles said. "Goodness knows, they give us enough material to fill an evening-long roast. But I’ll try to keep my remarks to a minute or two.”

Giles' husband, Bob Giles, will offer counterpoint in his toast to “the lassies.”

“This is a good place for ‘kilt watching’ fans, and we’ll again have our enormously successful ‘knobby knees’ contest to find that one lad with the knobbiest knees," McFarlane said. "We have found plenty of lads who want to enter this contest, and the winner is always proud of his bulging kneecaps that fit right in that space between the top of the high wool socks and the bottom of the kilt.

Society member Patty McKinnon of Waterford is helping with the mid-evening snacks, which will be included in the admission price.

"I hope that everybody has an opportunity to sample a Scotch Egg and maybe a bite of haggis while enjoying the entertainment and the cash bar," McKinnon said.

Tickets are limited and are now available at $18 at http://www.detroitscots.com or by calling 248-528-1849.