My first Burns celebration

**Dixiecat** · 24th January 10, 01:54 PM

Ok. Technically, I wasn't celebrating at this event. My dance group was doing a pre-supper gig on behalf of the Burns Society here in Halifax.

As the three other girls and I were lined up prior to our first number (Broadswords), we noticed something peculiar. Each and every person in that rather large room, was male. And almost all kilted. I felt like we should be jumping out of the haggis!

We had a good laugh afterward about being Scottish strippers, but it was odd. I know from this forum that usually the suppers are open to everyone and was slightly intrigued about this being a wholly male occasion. Comments?

**Sionnach** · 24th January 10, 02:28 PM

Our celebration probably had slightly more ladies present.

**McMurdo** · 24th January 10, 03:00 PM

There are Stag Burns Suppers out there, however they do not have to be, is the Burns Society out there just for men, was it in fact a Stag Night or was it that the wives did not show up? This happened to us at the first Burns Supper I organized a few years back the women just did not show up.

**rocscotjoe** · 24th January 10, 04:21 PM

I just attended our 16th Annual Burns Supper, but my first as a member of our heritage society. It was a "couples" event for the most part, but I understand that there is a stag event put on by our Tartan Square group which I missed due to a medical appointment.

I had a great time at ours. The dancer was Andy Allan who did a great job with traditional Scottish dances.

**macwilkin** · 24th January 10, 05:12 PM

Tradition says that one of the first recorded Burns Suppers was a "gents-only" affair, when the sergeant's mess of the Argyll militia marched to the "clay biggin" where the bard was born (turned into an alehouse not long after his death) and held a supper in honour of Burns.

I attend two stag suppers every year, and they are great fun. The copies of The Merry Muses of Caledonia come out unlike the co-ed Burns Supper I attend.

T.

**Dixiecat** · 25th January 10, 10:29 AM

I'm pretty sure there were no wives/girl friends at all. The gentlemen were gathered in the pre-supper area for drinks and supper was served in another room, but not once did I see any females other than the dancers and their mothers.

I wanted to ask, but the sight of that many men, kilted no less ;), is a little overwhelming!

I have to say however, that the gentlemen were well behaved (two bars and a saturation point in testosterone) and enjoyed our little show. We had a 6yr old dancer who did the hornpipe and Lilt, and almost to a man, they were very charmed by her. We did the show complimentary for the Society, but asked if we could put out a tam for donations for our upcoming trip to Cuba, and the gentlemen were so generous that I'm asking if we can donate half of our donations to the relief effort in Haiti.

Anyway, I enjoyed the little show, but disappointed that there was no haggis for the dancers.

I still haven't had any!

Edit:
Google search provided this link:
http://www.halifaxburnsclub.ca/
Now, I know!

**macwilkin** · 25th January 10, 11:21 AM

Originally Posted by Dixiecat

I'm pretty sure there were no wives/girl friends at all. The gentlemen were gathered in the pre-supper area for drinks and supper was served in another room, but not once did I see any females other than the dancers and their mothers.

I wanted to ask, but the sight of that many men, kilted no less ;), is a little overwhelming!

I have to say however, that the gentlemen were well behaved (two bars and a saturation point in testosterone) and enjoyed our little show. We had a 6yr old dancer who did the hornpipe and Lilt, and almost to a man, they were very charmed by her. We did the show complimentary for the Society, but asked if we could put out a tam for donations for our upcoming trip to Cuba, and the gentlemen were so generous that I'm asking if we can donate half of our donations to the relief effort in Haiti.

Anyway, I enjoyed the little show, but disappointed that there was no haggis for the dancers.

I still haven't had any!

Edit:
Google search provided this link:
http://www.halifaxburnsclub.ca/
Now, I know!

Many thanks for that link, Dixiecat! That is very similar to our local organisation here in Springfield, "The Drouthy Cronies".

And guid on ya for the donation to Haitian relief efforts -- we raised over $300 at our Burns Night on Saturday for the Haitian Health Foundation and Hope for Haiti.

T.