Tartan Pride's 'Celtic Ceilidh' Features World Champion
VANCOUVER - World Solo Drumming Champion Steven McWhirter will be a surprise feature at this year's Celtic Ceilidh, the annual "fun-time" event put on by Tartan Pride Highland Dance Team.
McWhirter, a native of Ireland, is the youngest person to ever win the award. A member of the Simon Fraser University Pipe Band, he "commutes" between Ireland and Burnaby. "Steven is a superb showman as well as an outstanding musician," says Joan Murray, Tartan Pride's Director. "We are very fortunate to have him join us."
Blackthorn, the popular Celtic band will be the main entertainment for the Ceilidh as they have for several years. The five talented musicians, who play a total of 13 instruments, are masters at keeping a crowd dancing and singing for an entire evening.
"Blackthorn are old friends of Tartan Pride. We have done performances together over the years, and they are always a good time for everyone. Blackthorn has been working on fresh material for their up-coming CD, so they too will be doing something new."
The Celtic Ceilidh has become an annual fund-raiser since Tartan Pride's origins 13 years ago, and it becomes more popular each year. Of course the event wouldn't be a Ceilidh without the hostesses themselves displaying their trademark choreography throughout the evening.
Also performing will be a mini-band from the Vancouver Police Pipe Band. The two groups will be journeying to Italy and France in July to perform in Festivals at Modena and Albertville. It is expected that they too will be unveiling several new numbers to be performed there.
The Celtic Ceilidh will be held at the United Scottish Cultural Centre at 8886 Hudson Street in Vancouver on March 31. Doors will open at 7 PM with the show to start at 8 PM. Tickets are $15 or $8 for children, and are available by calling (604) 576-1619 or visiting www.tartanpride.ca.
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