by COLLEEN SMITH ARMSTRONG
Interim Editor
So far, the 2009 season of Orcas Center has explored the wonder of world music.
For its next offering, the Battlefield Band, straight from Scotland, will perform on Friday, March 6 at 7:30 p.m.
Prior to the performance “Burgers and Brews” will be available in the Madrona Room, courtesy of the Lower Tavern.
The Battlefield Band returns to Orcas Island for the first time since their appearance on the Orcas Center stage in 2003.
Under their banner “Forward with Scotland’s Past,” the Battlefield Band has been performing on the international scene for more than three decades, inspired by their rich heritage of Celtic music and fired by the strength of the modern Scottish cultural scene.
The band, who pioneered the integration of bagpipes with fiddle, keyboards, guitar and voice, mix the old songs with new, original material, playing them on both ancient and modern instruments, including bagpipes, synthesizers, fiddles, guitars, cittern, bass, whistles, and bouzouki.
“They’re quite Scottish, they’re very energetic and people love ‘em,” said Anita Orne, principal saw player of the Olga Symphony.
The band was founded in 1969 by a group of friends and named after the Battlefield area of Glasgow. The group now performs throughout the world, playing to audiences in Europe, Australia, Asia, the Middle East, Canada, and more than 60 cities annually in the United States. Their music is played regularly on National Public Radio’s Thistle and Shamrock program, and they are frequent guests on Minnesota Public Radio’s “A Prairie Home Companion.”
Burgers and brews (as well as other beverages) will be available beginning at 5:30 p.m. for $12.
The management of the Lower Tavern will be in the kitchen making the burgers, so diners are assured an authentic “Lower burger” experience.
“Thanks to the Lower Tavern, all proceeds will benefit Orcas Center programming,” said Orcas Center executive director Barbara Courtney.
Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. concert are $24, $16 for Orcas Center members, and $10 for students. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit www.orcascenter.org or call or 376-2281 ext. 1 during box office hours, Thursday-Saturday, noon to 4 p.m.
