TARTAN DAY/WEEK/FORTNIGHT/MONTH KICKS OFF WITH A CELEBRATION AT SOUTH STREET SEAPORT IN MANHATTAN

Although Tartan Day is officially April 6th, March 30th was the first day on which there were events tied into the Scottish Heritage celebration. More will occur in the coming week which will climax with the parade along 6th Avenue from West 45th Street to West 55th Street. The Parade will start at 2.00pm. on Saturday, April 6th,

Clan Currie Society, the organizer of the Scottish activities at the Seaport, generally operates their part of the celebration on Ellis Island. Because of superstorm Sandy's impact on that island, the festivities this year were shifted to a different island - Manhattan, and specifically to South Street Seaport. The Seaport itself suffered major damage during the storm and many businesses in the vicintiy remain closed to this day, but Pier 17, the major building on the pier which houses many of the shops and restaurants has managed to reopen.

The shift from Ellis to Manhattan Island is fitting since Manhattan was the major landing area for ships coming from Europe and carrying Scots to America, where they would have to be processed at Ellis Island. Mr. Currie pointed out that event was held not more than 100 yards from where 11-year old John Muir first set foot on American soil in 1849. Muir was, of course, a famous naturalist who founded the Sierra Club and whose activities helped preserved what would become Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks.

And so, on a warm and sunny Saturday one day before Easter, on the pier outside of Pier 17, that Robert Currie FSA Scot appeared before a crowd of people to welcome them to the day's festivities. He introduced the first of the performances, The Rampant Lion Pipe Band from Basking Ridge New Jersey

Robert Currie opens the program

Mr. Currie introduced Ms. Margaret Chen who gave warm opening remarks. She is a member of the City Council with responsibility for District 1 which includes the Seaport.

Mr. Currie shakes hands with Ms. Margaret Chen

Under the leadership of the founder of the band and current pipe major David Palladino-Sinclair (first in the line in the picture below). The band performed flawlessly playing a number of tunes including a touching rendition of "Amazing Grace".

More Members of the Band Follow

Pipe Major David Palladino-Sinclair leads the band.

Following their performance the band piped in the New York Celtic Dancers, under the direction of Allison Fippinger. The dancers, along with Ms. Fippinger, included Laurel Girvan, Samantha McLane, Fiona Murray, Mikayleigh Ryan, Laura Blum-Smith and Stephanie Steele-Wren. These charming dancers performed a mix of original and traditional works, all in the Scottish Highland and National dance style.

The New York City Celtic Dancers Enter
from left to right -- Fiona Murray, Laura Blum-Smith, Samantha MacLane, Stephanie, Mikayleigh Ryan

Welcoming the Audience

Allison Fippinger Performs

Right to Left -- Stephanie Steele-Wren, Samantha MacLane, Mikayleigh Ryan

Right to Left -- Stephanie Steele-Wren, Samantha MacLane, Mikayleigh Ryan

Fiona Murray, Samantha MacLean, Laurel Girvan, Laura Blum-Smith

Fiona Murray, Samantha MacLane, Laurel Girvan, Laura Blum-Smith

Fiona Murray, Samantha MacLane, Laurel Girvan, Laura Blum-Smith

Fiona Murray, Samantha MacLane, Laurel Girvan, Laura Blum-Smith

The Dancers Say "Good Bye"

The entire company (photo courtesy of Robert Currie)

Here the dancers pose for a group photo (photo courtesy of Robert Currie)

Other events occurred within the building itself. John Grimaldi, a kilted juggler from The New York Lyric Circus (Scottish with a new spin) appeared both indoors and outdoors and amazed the audiences with his juggling skills tossing various objects and spinning plates on slender rods.

There were also performances by The NYC Harp Orchestra under the direction of their leader Mia Theodoratus and a fiddle group known as New York Brogue giving fine performances within the Pier 17. structure.

The New York City Harp Orchestra (photo courtesy of Robert Currie)

New York Brogue claims among its members Calum Pasqua. He is the 2007 Glenfiddich Scottish Fiddle Champion. First American to ever take the title!

New York Brogue (photo courtesy of Robert Currie)

The crowd was wildly enthusiatic and applauded each act with great enthusiasm. The turnout included many kilts and representatives from the St. Andrew's Society of the State of New York, the NY Caledonian Club, From Scotland With Love, and the Saltire Society of New York. At day's end, the official attendance for the day was estimated at 5750. The Seaport staff reported that the Tartan Day program attracted the largest turnout since Hurricane Sandy hit last October 29.

If the rest of the week's events are as entertaining as the opening day's, people should make every effort to see what is yet to come. A complete schedule can be found at the Tartan Week web site (http://www.tartanweek.com)