There are a couple of opportunities for the Comox Valley’s Scottish community to celebrate the homeland’s most famous bard, as Robbie Burns celebrations are taking place in both Courtenay and Comox.
On Jan. 18, the Courtenay Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion will host a Robbie Burns Dinner at 2 p.m.
The cost is $15 for a home-cooked roast beef dinner with haggis and all the trimmings. The event features the formalities of a Burns dinner with excellent entertainment: soloist Jacqueline Lambeth, the Travellers (an excellent Celtic band), and piping. Tickets are available at the Legion (367 Cliffe Ave.) or from Ken MacLeod (250-338-9241).
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An event in Comox takes place one week later, on Robbie Burns’s birthday, Jan. 25 at the Comox Seniors’ Centre on Sunday afternoon.
With kilts, clans, and Celts, it’s that time of year when we celebrate all things Scottish, in honour of Robbie Burns’ birthday, and the Centre is planning to recognize the occasion with an afternoon of music, dance, and other entertainment.
There will be Scottish baking served, as well as live – and lively – music for dancing, provided throughout the afternoon by Schiehallion.
To keep the party going, Evelyn Nixon will be bringing a contingent from the Comox Valley Scottish Country Dancers.
The event takes place from 2-4 p.m. Admission is $5.