I have some fond, and some foggy, memories of bagpiping on New Year’s eve around this big country. My bagpiping career began in Halifax where I first squawked out a semblance of a tune under the tutelage of Pipe Major Barbara Stewart of the 33rd. Service Battalion. I credit Barb’s daughter Heather for my entrance …
Looking for a great evening of inspiring choral music along with some top notch piping and drumming? The Vancouver Welsh Men’s Choir and the RCMP E. Division Pipe Band will present an evening concert on October 22 in Langley that is sure to lift you off your seats and set your hearts soaring. The Vancouver …
With the month of May upon us, and the fragrant blossoms of spring filling the air, it’s time to start thinking about upcoming highland games and events in BC and beyond. The competition season has already begun with the April 22, 2011 BC Pipers’ Association Annual Gathering. Next up is the  Washington Pipers’ Association competition …
Read more “Top 10 Bagpiping and Highland Games in Vancouver, BC and Beyond”
It’s over. Whew. Quite the party at the Atlantic Trap & Gill. I’m not sure how the other St. Paddy’s Day parties went in Vancouver, but it would be tough to beat the one at the Trap. There was a huge crowd, inside, outside on the patio and lined-up at the door. The bagpipes kept …
Read more “Wow! Quite the Vancouver St. Patrick’s Day party with bagpipes and Whiskey Dicks”
It’s a bit of an unknown fact out here in Vancouver, that in Newfoundland, St. Patrick’s Day is more than just an opportunity to get together with friends for a few pints after work . In Newfoundland – there is no work on St. Patrick’s Day. It’s a provincial holiday. The bars open around 11am, …
Read more “Vancouver St. Patrick’s Day Party at Atlantic Trap and Gill”
It’s hard to keep a good band down! Despite the snow and cold temperatures in the Maritimes this week, there is a band touring the region that is likely to heat up more than a few venues along the way. Rawlins Cross is back. I am a BIG fan of this traditional Celtic rock band …
Read more “Bagpipes, mandolins, drums and accordions: Rawlins Cross back on the road”
I’ve often wondered what it would cost to actually purchase all the items in the song “Twelve Days of Christmasâ€. Well, wonder no more. A New York financial company has been sourcing all the turtle doves, French hens, bagpipers, ‘maids A’milking’, etc. for the past 29 years and the their total for all 78 items …
Read more “Eleven Christmas pipers piping: for $2200 (plus mileage)”
Last week, CBC Radio 1 aired a wonderful program that “explores the rise, fall, and revival of the bagpipes – the instrument that simply refuses to go away.â€Â The program is Ideas, one of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s oldest programs that continues to run on CBC, and which was once hosted by the venerable Lister …
Read more “A glorious program on bagpipes; well worth a listen.”