The Countdown is on to the start of New York Tartan Week. From April 1st – 11th we invite all to celebrate their love of Scotland and scottish american heritage, culminating with the 19th Annual New York Tartan Day Parade on Saturday April 8th.
Events will be taking place throughout the City from this Saturday, April 1st to April 11th – from Ceilidh’s to Concerts and plays, there is something for all to enjoy.
On Saturday April 8th, Sixth Avenue from 44th – 55th Street will be awash with tartan and the sound of the bagpipes as the 19th Annual New York Tartan Day Parade, will step off at 2pm from 44th and Sixth Avenue.
Presented by Platinum sponsor Barbour, the parade is led by renowned Scottish actor Tommy Flanagan, Grand Marshal of the Parade this year, who together with 35 pipe bands with lead 3,000 marchers up Sixth Avenue.
To the sound of the pipes, dancers, clans, organizations – and over 100 scotties and westies making up the Barbour Tartan Dog Pack – marchers will be greeted by the crowds lining Sixth Avenue.
The Parade is organized by the National New York Tartan Day Parade Committee which comprises St. Andrews Society of the State of New York, New York Caledonian Club, American-Scottish Foundation, Clan Campbell, and recent member Carnegie Hall.
The Parade is grateful for the tremendous support of our sponsors:
Platinum Returning Sponsor – Barbour
Gold Sponsors – Carnegie Hall, Belhaven (official beer of the Tartan Day Parade events), VisitScotland, Glenlivet Founders Reserve (official whisky of the Tartan Day Parade events), and Grayline
Silver Sponsors – Stevens & Graham, Kensington Books, Walkers Shortbread
The support of Carnegie Hall as a returning Gold sponsor is an example of the past meeting the future.
Scottish steel magnate Andrew Carnegie, a native of Dunfermline in Fife, was inspired to build Carnegie Hall by his wife, Louise, who sang in the Oratorio Society of New York. Since it opened in 1891, Carnegie Hall has set the international standard for musical excellence as the aspirational destination for the world’s finest artists.
From Tchaikovsky, Mahler, and Bartók to George Gershwin, Billie Holiday, Benny Goodman, and The Beatles, music-making by a long list of artists representing the best of every genre has filled Carnegie Hall over the years. For the first time in April 2016 – one month prior to the Hall’s 125th anniversary – Carnegie Hall marched in New York City’s Tartan Day parade and returns again this year as a proud sponsor of New York Tartan Day.
The future is also spotlighted by Scottish Universities taking part in the Parade this year – Scotland’s Ambassadors of the tomorrow.
Among the Universities taking part are: Glasgow, St Andrews, Stirling, Aberdeen, Strathclyde, Napier and Dundee Universities.
The parade is a joint effort of so many. The National Tartan Day Parade invites all to join us on Saturday April 8th and thank all that support us in so many ways, helping to make the celebration happen.
Highlights of the Week Include (for a full list of events, please visit nyctartanweek.org).
April 1st: 4:30pm – St Andrews Kick Off
April 5th: 7:00pm – Wight Hot Pipes & Scottish Octopus, Connolly’s
April 6th: 12:30pm – Tartan Day Observance, Bryant Park
April 6th: 6:00pm – St Andrews Society of NY Reception
April 6th: 10:00pm – Highland Divas, The Cutting Room
April 7th: 3:00pm – 5:00pm Belhaven Gathering, Beer Authority
April 7th: 7:00pm – NY Caledonian Club Ceilidh, Abigail Adams
April 8th: 10:00am – Kirkin of the Tartan
April 8th: 11:30am – Pipes & Drums, Bryant Park
April 8th: 2:00pm – The New York Tartan Day Parade
April 8th: 4:30pm – Post Parade Party, BB Kings
For further information, please contact Camilla Hellman at info@nyctartanweek.org
For further information on all Tartan Week events, please visit nyctartanweek.org.
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