Robert Burns Day is marked every January 25th, the day of great man’s birth in 1759. The day is often marked by a “Burns Supper”, a usually formal gathering marked by much ritual (and whisky).

Bagpipes are a big part of the Burns Supper sequence of events with the haggis “piped in” with the tune “A Man’s a Man for a’ That” (the name of one of Robert [never "Robbie" or "Rabbie"!] Burns’ great works).

Following the “Address to the Haggis” the haggis and haggis porters are piped out of the dining area to the tune “Neil Gow’s Farewell to Whisky“.

No need to attend a Burns Supper to mark the occasion. Read a Burns poem and reflect. That’ll do.

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The well-mic’d guitar styling of McManus alongside the sounds of the pipe band (and a solo or two) will be sure to help make another unforgetable night of music.

Self taught from childhood, initially through listening to the family record collection, Tony McManus abandoned academia in his twenties to pursue music full time.  The session scene in Glasgow and Edinburgh provided the springboard for gigs around Scotland and a studio set for BBC Radio, frequently rebroadcast, began to spread the word.

In addition to his prodigious solo work Tony is great demand as a studio musician having contributed to over 60 albums.

Tickets for the May 21 show are limited and at $20 can be lined up by contacting band management.

The band will be streaming the show live on ustream.com though nothing beats the ambience and unforgetable experience offered by the elMo!

See you on the 21st of May!

Elvis Costello’s “Live at the El Mocambo” and the Rolling Stones’ “Love You Live” records are two of the most famous albums to be recorded off the floor of the “el Mo”.  The Toronto Police Pipe Band recorded a live show at the venue last May.  The recording went on to receive the pipes | drums award for 2010 “Album of the Year”.

“I can’t wait for this show!”, enthused Pipe Major Ian K MacDonald, head of the grade one band, “we have incredible new talent in the band, we’ve got reliable experienced talent in the band, and we have a rocking new medley to lay out at the el Mo!  The accoustics at the club are great and if this year’s show is even half as fun as last year’s, I’ll be happy beyond words”. 

Additional ticket information may be had by contacting band management.

The assessment panel provided some anonymous comment in their online summary including:  “Something a bit different, lots of fun and a great vehicle for getting ToPo’s music out there, with no scoresheets involved.” “Raw and off the floor was a great way to describe this CD.”  “Anyone who ignores this record in some sort of protest is simply missing out.”

Raw can be downloaded now from iTunes.

“It’s a real honour to have our el-Mo project named Recording of the Year by pipes|drums,” said  Pipe Major Ian K MacDonald, “The show may’ve only been one evening but the end result represents hundreds of hours of hard work.  I’m really pleased for the band.  Congratulations to all!”     

Ian advises that this is an official heads-up that more of that hard work can be expected in the New Year.

A Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year to all from the Toronto Police Pipe Band!

Michael Grey