Memphis Scottish Society

= to foster education and promote understanding of things Scottish =

Information

Robert Burns 1759-1796

The Legend of Burns Nicht

The most powerful law in the scientific world is the law of unintended consequences! In 1801, on the fifth anniversary of the death of Robert Burns, nine men who knew him met for dinner in Burns Cottage in Alloway to celebrate his life and works. The Master of Ceremonies was a local minister – a liberal theologian and an equally liberal host. Hamilton Paul and his guests shared Masonic brotherhood with Rabbie and Paul devised an evening which looked a bit like a lodge ceremonial, centred on a fine fat haggis; with recitation and singing of Burns’s works and a toast (in verse) to the memory of their friend and hero.

It was such a jolly evening, all agreed to meet again the following January for a Birthday Dinner for the bard, little knowing that they had invented a global phenomenon that we know as the BURNS SUPPER – which still broadly follows the Reverend’s original plan.

Burns’s popularity grew rapidly after his untimely death and the idea of meeting annually to share his poems and songs in the bonds of friendship caught the public imagination. Some Ayrshire merchants in Greenock followed with the first Burns Club Supper in January 1802 and the West coast towns with strong links to Rabbie reached out and joined in the new festival: Paisley, Irvine, Kilmarnock and Dumfries.

Typically, a dozen or more men sat down to dine – as often working men as the middle classes – sometimes in a bar Rab had frequented. But the real link was his poetry with its message of love, freedom and the essential value of humanity. Many early suppers were organised by Burns Clubs who exist today, but a big boost in participation came with the big literary Burns Suppers, the original organised by Sir Walter Scott in Edinburgh in 1815 with Hogg the Ettrick Shepherd giving the Immortal Memory. [read more]

Used by kind permission of scotland.org

Clark McGinn comes from Ayr but has been speaking at Burns Suppers for what his audience often says is a long, long time. He is the author of the popular ‘The Ultimate Burns Supper Book’ based on his experiences internationally and has just published ‘The Ultimate Guide To Being Scottish’

Memphis Scottish Society’s Annual
Burns Nicht Dinner

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and auld lang syne?
For auld lang syne, my jo,
for auld lang syne,
we’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

Patron’s Reception

The Patron’s Reception will be held Friday night, January 18th, 2013, starting at 6:00 p.m. in the Home of Joe and Susie Lyle, 2226 Wood Creek Dr., Germantown, TN 38138. Patrons ($75) and Benefactors ($100) may enjoy both the reception and Burns Nicht.

Note: If you wish to attend ONLY the Patron’s Reception and not the Burns Nicht Supper, you may do so for $40.

For more information, call 901-277-2848.

Tickets for Burns Nicht ONLY are:

$55 per person for a full Scottish evening of music, dinner, entertainment and a silent auction

Burns Nicht Dinner will be held at:

Woodland Hills Ballroom

at the intersection of Houston Levee Road (Hall Road) & Woodland Hills Drive
10000 Woodland Hills Drive
Cordova, TN 38018
[Map]

Saturday, 26 January, 2013

The doors open at 5:30 p.m.,
and the festivities begin at 6:00 pm.

~§~

Piping in the Haggis

Bagpipes, drums, Scottish dancing, poetry and dinner, all to celebrate Robert Burns, Scotland’s favorite bard

Entertainment

Ed Miller

has been hailed as “one of the finest singers to come out of the Scottish Folksong Revival” and as “one of Scotland’s best singing exports.” Originally from Edinburgh, he has for many years been based in Austin, TX, where he gained graduate degrees in Folklore and Geography at the University of Texas.

WRPD-2012-web

Wolf River Pipes & Drums

Founded in 1992 in order to perpetuate and promote the proud heritage of Scottish Music in the Memphis and MidSouth Area. Since then, it has played in local parades, funeral, weddings, memorial services, grand openings, business meetings, kirkings, festivals, picnics, parties, ceilidhs, and many other evens; anywhere people gather for fun, entertainment, or reflection in Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri, Arkansans, Alabama and Mississippi.

Please register by January 10, 2013
if you are planning to attend the Burns Nicht Dinner!

Vegetarian entrée available with advance notice.