The Black Tusk Caledonia Pipe Band and the Mount Garibaldi Masonic Lodge are teaming up in the name of Robert Burns on Friday (Jan. 25) at the Brennan Park Auditorium. It's Robbie Burns's 249th birthday, and organizers are calling the gala dinner the biggest bash Squamish has ever had for the infamous Scottish bard.
"This is a full-blown affair," said bandleader Luc LeBlanc. "It will be great entertainment, great support of local charity and the community is showing great support."
Robert Burns was an 18th century poet and lyricist celebrated internationally for his social and political commentary. He has many fans in Squamish - LeBlanc said they expect to sell over 300 tickets, 100 of which are already sold. Among its most ardent fans is LeBlanc himself.
"Burns's philosophy was that everyone had a right to be free," he said. "He's an inspiration that people should not be ashamed of who they are and we all have a right to be here and do our thing."
Money raised during the celebration goes to the Squamish Hospital Foundation. A traditional Scottish dinner will be accompanied by performances from the Angus Mackenzie Highland Dance Troupe and the award-winning pipe band, along with songs and speeches. And with bellies full of haggis, guests are invited to dance the rest of the night away to local ten-piece rhythm and blues band Doctor D and the Soul Demons.
Doctor D band member, Mason, and vice president of the Hospital Foundation George McKenzie said the entertainment will be quite eclectic.
"We do music right from the forties Big Band right up to the current," said McKenzie. "I wouldn't say rap, but we do Van Morrison, James Brown, the Temptations. It will be a fun night."
The partnership between the Masons and the pipe band started in recent years when the Masonic Lodge asked LeBlanc to perform at one of its Robert Burns dinners. From there, the event's popularity started to grow.
"Pretty soon we went from having 65 people to 100 people, so this year we got together and said, you know, how can we make this an even bigger show?" said LeBlanc. "There seemed to be a demand so we thought we might as well go for it."
With help from the municipality, which is granting the use of the Brennan Park Auditorium free of charge, the group found the kind of venue it needed to hold a larger celebration.
Tickets cost $45 and are available at Garibaldi Graphics, Billie's Bouquet and Home Hardware. Doors open for cocktails at 6 p.m. and dinner starts at 7 p.m. with entertainment continuing throughout the evening.
