Eyes of the world are on Ayrshire
Hello, my friends. I hope have been enjoying a positive start to the year.
We are, at this time of year, the focus of many people in the world who cast their attention to celebrating the works of Robert Burns.
The magic of Burns is felt all around the world and rightly so. It’s not until you’ve been abroad and had people reciting his works with great joy and gusto that you realise just how passionate people are for all things Rabbie. I’m always keen to hear how his songs are interpreted and I think hearing reggae- tinged Burns at Tartan Week in New York in April has to be one of the most surreal and brilliant experiences so far. I’m certainly excited to see what I will hear on my trip there this April.
It’s always uniquely special to celebrate Burns Night, January 25, in Ayrshire. There are a range of smashing events and each one is a wee gem in its ain right.
The Robert Burns Birthplace Museum will welcome back Burns Alicht on Saturday, January, 28. The event is an experience, a great fusion of music, poetry and fire. A tour of the museum will treat you to a walk through pyrotechnics, illuminations and the burning of John Barleycorn at the end of it all. It’s a wonderful experience and there’s nothing like it on Earth. I’m sure Rabbie would have approved. As an ambassador I’m always sincerely keen for people to experience this wonderful asset to both Ayrshire and Scotland itself.
Centrestage in Kilmarnock will host their very own Burns Supper entitled , A Richt Guid Nicht, on Saturday, January 28, at Centrestage HQ on James Little Street. The very best of traditional and more contemporary performances of Burns will be on offer in addition to some haggis, of course.
Also on the 28th Ayrshire songbird Nicola Cassells will be entertaining at Turnberry for ‘ A Celebration of Burns’. Nicola is one of the finest voices in the land. I’m a big fan and I’m sure she’ll go down an absolute treat.
The Robert Burns Humanitarian Award Concert will take place at the Brig o’ Doon in Alloway on Sunday, January 29. The event annually celebrates the dedication and bravery of one very special person and each year the judging panel are faced with the daunting task of making their choice for winner of the award. The concert features entertainment and performances of the works of Burns.
The winner receives a specially commissioned award, hand- crafted in Scotland, and the equivalent of 1759 guineas, a sum which signifies the year of the Bard’s birth and the coinage in circulation at the time, equating to £ 1800 in today’s currency.
Next Wednesday, January 25, you can join myself and friends as we pay our tribute at the 65 Club, Main Street, Prestwick. There’ll be singing, reciting and maybe even a bit of jigging.
So whether you’re out celebrating Burns with a gig and a jig or whether you’ll celebrate in the hoose I hope you have a superb time. It’s easy to forget the immense resonance his work has across the world and just how magic a place Ayrshire is, a place we can all take pride in. Until next week, @LittleFire