Winter Storm 09 -- Kansas City

**Phogfan86** · 19th October 08, 01:52 PM

I know it's early, but I wanted to let everyone know about this tremendous event in Kansas City, produced by the Midwest Highland Arts Fund (MHAF). This year's Winter Storm will be held January 16-18.

A sanctioned pipe and drum solo competition is held Friday and features musicians from all over the US, the UK and Canada. Spectators are welcome to purchase a spectator pass and sit in on the competitions. Competition adjudicators last year included world-class musicians like Fred Morrison, Alasdair Gillies, Haggis MacLeod, Jack Lee, Stuart Liddell and Big Johnny Rowe.

Workshops for players of all levels are held Saturday and Sunday morning. My son and I had been on the chanter for about three months when we went to Winter Storm 08 and we weren't in over our heads by any means.

The highlight of the entire event, however, is Saturday night's Winter Storm pipe and drum concert where adjudicators and workshop faculty play and, frankly, get the chance to show off a little. This concert features some of the best piping and drumming you will hear anywhere in the world. Winter Storm is then followed by Winter Steam, a ceilidh of monumental proportion sponsored by the good folks at Newcastle Brown Ale.

The MHAF website is www.mhaf.org, so take a look. Perhaps an XMTS summit for those of us in this part of the country is in order.

**vmac3205** · 19th October 08, 07:08 PM

Oh my gosh! You scared me. We are flying in to KC on the 27th, then on the 31st will drive on to Iowa for a few days. I was thinking...oh no!...but your winter storm sounds great. Whew!!

**ChattanCat** · 20th October 08, 04:58 PM

I'm sure The Midwest Kilt Society could rustle up a kilt knight, and maybe more...

**vmac3205** · 21st October 08, 03:10 PM

Sounds great, but we'll only be there 4 nights, and my husband will be busy with meetings. On the other hand, if someone wants to happen to be someplace around Crown Center, I'll be there. I don't have to go to the meetings.

**macwilkin** · 29th October 08, 03:54 PM

Our St. Andrew's society's piper is active with Winter Storm; I would love to go sometime just to observe, but that event always seems to fall on the same weekend as our Burns Supper in Springfield.

Regards,

Todd

**Phogfan86** · 4th November 08, 12:29 PM

I just reserved my room -- $93 at the Mariott on the Country Club Plaza where all the Winter Storm pipe and drum competitions and workshops are held. You can also get a room at the Holiday Inn right next door for $94.

These are both just blocks from the KC's upscale Country Club Plaza shopping and dining area. Lots to do.

As rates at these hotels go, this is about $60 off per night, so it's a good deal. If you call to make reservations, be sure to mention the Midwest Highland Arts Fund Winter Storm to get the rate.

And no, I do not work for the KC Chamber of Commerce.

**macwilkin** · 4th November 08, 12:36 PM

Originally Posted by Phogfan86

I just reserved my room -- $93 at the Mariott on the Country Club Plaza where all the Winter Storm pipe and drum competitions and workshops are held. You can also get a room at the Holiday Inn right next door for $94.

These are both just blocks from the KC's upscale Country Club Plaza shopping and dining area. Lots to do.

As rates at these hotels go, this is about $60 off per night, so it's a good deal. If you call to make reservations, be sure to mention the Midwest Highland Arts Fund Winter Storm to get the rate.

And no, I do not work for the KC Chamber of Commerce.

Not to mention that you're in walking distance of the Liberty Memorial, the National World War I Museum:

http://www.theworldwar.org/s/110/index.aspx

Regards,

Todd

**Phogfan86** · 23rd December 08, 10:36 PM

It's about time to resurrect this puppy. Winter Storm is less than a month away.

I guess I'd just highlight once again the Saturday night concert, which will include some of the best pipers on the planet. Pipers scheduled to appear include Chris Armstrong, John Cairns, Stuart Liddell, Angus MacColl and my personal favorite, Fred Morrison.

Tickets are $30 for adults, $15 for kids. I am as cheap as they come, and I think it'd be worth it at twice the price.

**Phogfan86** · 8th January 09, 04:59 PM

I got an e-mail update from MHAF this morning. If you're planning on coming to the concert but don't have a ticket, don't count on getting one at the door. Ticket sales have been brisk, so I would encourage you to consider purchasing one online at mhafshop.org.