City commemorates Robert Burns' 250th birthday in style

Jan 22 2009 By Peter Carroll

HERE'S a quick glance quide to Glasgow's celebrations in honour of The Bard and his 250th birthday ...

GLASGOW UNIVERSITY: Burns Ceilidh

LADS and lassies of the city should sign up for the charity Burns Night ceilidh at Glasgow University this weekend.

The Tiara and Tartan ceilidh, to be held at the Glasgow Union dining hall on Saturday, has been organised to celebrate the Bard's birthday and raise money for the National Autistic Society (NAS) Scotland.

A well as a four-course meal, the evening will kick off professional piper, Alan Buchan, piping in the haggis and giving a traditional Scottish toast.
Providing the music for jigs, reels and other traditional dances on the evening will be the Reelie Jiggered Ceilidh Band.

Professional caller, Andrew McTaggart, from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (RSAMD), will also be on hand to help guide revellers through the various dances.

Laura Brougham, from NAS, said: "It going to be a great way to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Robert Burns - you're guaranteed to have a great time and it's all for a good cause."

Tickets cost s35, including the four-course meal, and the ceilidh runs from 6.45pm to 2am. For tickets contact Laura on: 221 8090, or email: laura.brougham@nas.org.uk

OLD FRUITMARKET: Burns ... with a difference

FANCY a Burns Night with a difference in Glasgow? The Old Fruitmarket in Candleriggs is holding a Jamaican Burns Night on Sunday from 8.30pm.

Before Burns' 1786 Kilmarnock Edition of poems had become, the Bard had booked a one-way passage to work on the caribbean Island.

Luckily for the world of literature, Burns stayed home.

Sunday's night will feature rhythm/production team Sly and Robbie, direct from Kingston, with their Taxi Gang band, as well as Bitty McLean, Sharon Shannon, Edwyn Collins and Karine Polwart.

Tickets for the extraordinary event cost s22 and are available from the box office on: 353 8000, or by visiting: www.glasgowconcerthalls.com

ONE DEVONSHIRE GARDENS: A Burns Feast

THOSE looking for a touch of class to complement their haggis, neeps and tatties on Burns Night should head to One Devonshire Gardens on Sunday.

The upmarket hotel, part of the Du Vin chain, is giving diners the chance to "celebrate the ploughman's poet in style".

Burns lovers can enjoy a four-course meal and a dram of whisky while being serenaded by a piper and the traditional address to the haggis.

The meal costs s29.50 with the hotel also offering overnight bed and breakfast stays from only s99.

To book a table contact One Devonshire Gardens on: 339 2001 or via www.hotelduvin.com

The evening starts from 7.30pm.

UBIQUITOUS CHIP: To a Haggis

DINERS can also visit another popular west end venue, the Ubiquitous Chip, for the best of the Bard this Sunday and Monday.

The evening will start from 6.30pm with a glass of Kir Royale, then a glass of malt whisky to toast the Chip's specially-prepared haggis as it is piped through the restaurant.

Customers will enjoy a fine five-course dinner, while Kathleen Sheridan will lead the singing on the evening.

The excellent Last Tram Ceilidh Band will lead the dancing in the courtyard.

Tickets, priced s42.50, for both nights on Sunday and Monday are going fast.

To book a table call: 334 5007, or visit: www.ubiquitouschip.co.uk

THE STAND: Burns humour

IF you prefer a laugh to a spot of haggis, tatties and neaps then why not head down to The Stand on Sunday.

The comedy venue will hold a Burns Night Special with Vladimir McTavish, Gary Little, Phil Differ and Rab Brown.

Hosted by Bruce Devlin, the doors open at 7.30pm and the show begins at 8.30pm.

Tickets for the evening cost s7 and s5 for students and members. To find out more call 0870 600 6055, or visit: www.thestand.co.uk

COMPASS GALLERY: Burns in Pictures

FANS of Robert Burns should visit the 'Love and Liberty - The Poet and His Landscapes' at the Compass Gallery this month.

Peter Bevan and other artists bring to Glasgow an exhibition of painting and drawings celebrating the work and philosophies of Robert Burns.

The Compass Gallery is a not-for-profit registered charity supported by the Hugh Fraser Foundation and the city council.

The exhibition, which closes on February 18, is free and runs from Monday to Saturday from 10am to 5.30pm.

To find out more call the gallery, based at 178 West Regent Street, on: 221 6370, or visit: www.compassgallery.co.uk