Joy in New York as Tartan Week hosts its first Mòd
New York City Tartan Week will host its first Mòd this spring, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of National Tartan Day.
The two-day Scottish Gaelic song contest, run by the Royal National Mòd organisers An Comunn Gàidhealach, will be hosted by Mòd Gold Medallist and BBC Alba’s SpeakGaelic presenter, Joy Dunlop from Connel.
Singers from across North America, Scotland, and beyond are being invited to compete in the historic event which will take place at The Tailor Public House on Thursday April 13.
The competition will see singers ages 16+ perform one of six prescribed Gaelic songs, or their own selected Gaelic song, before a panel of judges.
The winner will be crowned
New York City (NYC) Tartan Week Mòd Champion 2023 with a cash prize sponsored by the New York Caledonian Club, and the winner will be invited to perform at the New York Caledonian Club NYC Tartan Week Pre-Parade Ceilidh.
Wednesday April 12 will see the event kick off with a series of workshops in Gaelic language and culture including song, instrumental music, step dancing, and ceilidh dancing.
The festivities will be captured by Mac TV for a documentary that will be aired later this year. It will follow Joy as she travels across the Atlantic to share the spirit, excitement and camaraderie of the Mòd and speak to Americans with ties to Scotland about the importance of celebrating the Gaelic language and their heritage.
Joy said: “The tradition of the Mòd is one we’ve enjoyed in Scotland for over 100 years, and we are so proud to bring this event to NYC for the first time.
"It’s a beautiful way to celebrate our community and our history and keep this important part of our culture thriving on both sides of the Atlantic.”
James Graham, chief executive officer of An Comunn Gàidhealach, said: “The Royal National Mòd is the biggest celebration of Gaelic language so it felt only fitting that we partnered up with North America’s largest annual Scottish cultural gathering.
"It’s wonderful to see NYC Tartan Week bring its own Mòd to life across the Atlantic for what will be a fantastic opportunity for Gaelic speakers across the pond to take part in a Gaelic singing competition. This pilot project has so much potential, and we look forward to continue growing this friendship in years to come.”
This year’s Royal National Mòd will take place in Paisley from October 13-21. Entries are open now at www.ancomunn.co.uk