THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, June 23, 1995 TAG: 9506210172
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ERIC FEBER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 115 lines
This festival would make William ``Braveheart'' Wallace and Rob Roy MacGregor proud.
It seems the blockbuster films ``Rob Roy'' and ``Braveheart'' have awakened interest in all things Scottish. And what better place to increase, satiate or expand your interest in Scotland and its colorful customs, games, music, dress and dances than at the 17th Annual Tidewater Scottish Festival this weekend at its new home, Chesapeake City Park off Greenbrier Parkway?
Eleanor Unger, president of the Tidewater Scottish Society and head of the festival committee, said the popularity of the motion pictures has increased interest in the Scottish Festival.
``People who normally have no interest in Scottish history or have no background in it are now interested in the clan structure and other things,'' Unger said. ``We're hoping to encourage casual interest in Scotland because of those movies. We think once people get to the festival here they'll be surprised at what we have to offer.''
The event will include traditional piping, bands, country dancing, highland dancing and fiddling along with traditional Scottish games and athletic events including the caber toss and Cumberland style Highland wrestling.
There will also be border collie dog demonstrations, lots of Scottish music by local and international performers, a British car display and an array of children's games and entertainment for the wee ones.
Unger said in keeping with the feel of Chesapeake, the outing will be family-oriented. She said traditional Scottish games were always held in areas similar to Chesapeake.
``So much of Chesapeake is still rural,'' she said. ``You can throw a dollar and hit the country, it's so close here in this city. We're the right speed for Chesapeake. We're semi-country and traditionally these games were always held in rural country settings. So, now you have the Jubilee and the Tidewater Scottish Festival, two for Chesapeake.''
As with any Scottish festival, this event will also include quite a bit of musical entertainment. Here's a brief look at some of the scheduled performers:
Colin Grant-Adams is considered one of the best Celtic entertainers in the world. He is currently touring the U.S. He sings traditional Scottish/Celtic songs, his own compositions and modern works, too. He recently played to sold-out crowds at New York City's Carnegie Hall and his latest recording is entitled, ``Scotland, Land of My Father.''
Ed Miller, an Edinburgh native who now lives in Austin, Texas is a mainstay at the world-famous Scottish Folksong Festival. A teacher, student and performer, Miller hosts an Austin NPR folk music radio program and performs all over the U.S. and Scotland. His repertoire includes ancient ballads, the songs of Robert Burns and modern compositions. One critic dubbed him an ``accomplished ambassador of Scots song.''
Thistle & Roses is made up of Katherine Rickett on hammered dulcimer, lap dulcimer, guitar and vocals; Paul Brockman on fiddle and vocals; and Susan Lawlor on flute and tin whistle. They perform a range of Scottish/Irish music including ballads, jigs and reels. They have one recording out, ``Life's Minor Pleasures,'' and perform all over Hampton Roads.
The Highland-aires is Roy Munro and Ralph Melville from Lancaster, Pa. They are well-known in the Hampton Roads area and have performed at all major regional and local Scottish events. During their 30 years together, they have performed all over the country.
C. Shells is a local children's duo made up of Cindy Ressler and Shelly Craig. The two play guitar, mandolin, banjo and various percussive instruments and encourage sing-alongs and audience participation. They perform everything from traditional folk to Disney standards and have been favorites at such local festivals as the Chesapeake Jubilee, Ghent Arts Show, Stockley Gardens Art Show and others.
The event will feature a family/children's area called ``The Village Square,'' which will include the Whoppadoodle Puppets, Dragon's Armory, the Tidewater Quilter's Guild, the Bay Area Sheep Producers Association and the Tidewater Weaver's Guild. In addition, Old MacDonald's Farm area will feature the Chesapeake 4H Critters Club and the Cloverbuds Critters and hayrides will be conducted.
``Now that we're in Chesapeake we're very geared toward the family,'' Unger said. ``We're even planning to offer mini-Scottish games for children. One of our main goals as we stay and prosper in Chesapeake is to get everyone involved. We're getting great support and help from Sheriff John Newhart and his staff as well as from the folks at the Norfolk County Historical Society.''
Unger said this year's festival will see more participation from the Chesapeake-based Herding Dogs Association in its border collie demonstrations.
For those who love the traditional dances of Scotland, this festival will be just the thing, Unger said. The event will feature the participation of 65 highland dancers and a newly established choreography competition will begin this weekend.
``And you know many traditional American folk dances and even clogging came out of the traditional Celtic dancing,'' she explained.
For those interested in finding out about their own Scottish lineage, the festival can help. Unger said there will be over 40 different organizations representing various clans and societies at this weekend's event.
Finally, for those who want to keep the spirit of the festival alive, a ceildh (pronounced KAY-LEE) will take place on Saturday from 9:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the Holiday Inn Chesapeake on Woodlake Drive. For a $5 donation, participants will be able to sing, dance, hear stories and listen to spirited Celtic music from the festival's performers way into the wee hours of the night.
``We're looking forward to some good crowds,'' Unger said. ``We now feel like we're really a part of Chesapeake. This is their festival and I think we can compete quite successfully with its cousin festivals in the other neighboring Tidewater cities.'' MEMO: The 17th Annual Tidewater Scottish Festival takes place from 9 a.m. to 5
p.m., Saturday at Chesapeake City Park (Jubilee site) on Greenbrier
Road. Tickets are $10 for adults and children under 12 are free. Some of
the proceeds will be used to benefit the Shriner's Hospitals for
crippled and burned children and the Khedive Shriners Transportation
Fund. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Colin Grant-Adams sings traditional Scottish/Celtic songs.
by CNB