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Musically Celebrating Scottish Poet Robert Burns
Music! Friends! Dancing! What a spectacularly wonderful time with musicians, dancers and friends joining talents at the Masonic Hall in Marquette, Michigan to celebrate the birthday of beloved Scottish poet and songwriter Robert Burns (1759).
(L to R Top to Bottom Rows) Dave Kroll - Fan, Tom Aufrance - Guitar & Vocals, Warren Hantz - Bass Guitar, Joe Patrick - Violin, Bruce Irving - Guitar, Katherine Bender - Violin, Robert Yin - Violin, Carol Kasmer Irving - Penny Whistle, Allen Palmgren - Bodhran, Heather Dombrowski - Dance, Elizabeth Furst - Dance, Helen Go key - Dance, Deborah Choszczyk - Dance, Mary Kay Aufrance - Accordion & Vocals (Not shown: Pierre Ogea, Percussion & Bagpipes)
Allen Palmgren - Bodhran and Pierre Ogea - Percussion and Bagpipes at Burns Soiree. This party was Pierre's idea, and it was truly a great occasion featuring this gathering of Celtic musicians and dancers from across the Upper Peninsula of Michigan! Pierre is a professional entertainer, providing music and wedding officiant services in the Upper Peninsula, plus bagpiper for Superior Pipes and Drums bagpipers.
Katherine Bender - Violin and Carol Kasmer Irving - Penny Whistle of the Escanaba Celtic Band "Failte." What a delight to play with these Celtic music specialists. Katherine also plays with Esky Baroque ensemble and is a Music Therapist. Carol is the force of nature behind "Failte Celtic Band" and long time penny whistle player with many tunes to her credit.
Robert Yin - Violin, Joe Patrick - Violin, Warren Hantz - Electric Bass Guitar and Tom Aufrance - Guitar and Vocals at our Burns Celebration. It was the first time playing together for many of the musicians. But the music flowed nicely, because these guys are all professionals and Celtic tunes and songs are widely known. Joe Patrick and Warren Hantz are well known professional musicians in the Marquette, Michigan area, Robert Yin plays violin for "Failte," Esky Baroque and Marquette Symphony Orchestra. And, of course Tom Aufrance is the guitar, mandolin and vocalist of "Gairin Celtic Band."
Dancers Heather Dombrowski, Deborah Choszczyk, Helen Gokey and Elizabeth Furst performed a variety of Scottish and Irish steps, including the Famous Scottish Sword Dance. These ladies are also ballerinas, performing in Marquette's annual Nutcracker ballet, directed by Deborah Choszczyk, and other ballet performances of Deb's. You will also find them dancing in the streets as Scottish dancers with Superior Pipes and Drums for parades throughout Michigan.
Has Mary Kay found Robert Burns descendant? Bruce Irving - Guitarist's ancestry is from the same town in Scotland, therefore we think so. Note the very close resemblance to Robert Burns' image on our event flyer!
Tom Aufrance - Guitarist and Vocalist's tartan is Stewart, showing his Ulster Scots ancestry. Tom's carbon fiber guitar has its own pattern as well.
The Gairin Celtic Music contribution to the festive occasion is artisan cake by Joe Heck. Always a local favorite, Joe Heck was featured on the Food Network show "Winner Cake All" where the judges "loved" their competition cake - a Chocolate Peanut Butter Truffle cake with peanut butter cream and chocolate ganache. Here we are showing off two of Joe's creations prior to the yummy eating of the cakes. Tom Aufrance - Guitarist and Vocalist and Mary Kay Aufrance - Accordion Player and Vocalist. To view the video and see more of this rollicking event, click on the link below.
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