Gung Haggis Fat Choy Seattle V was amazing!
Feb 20th @ China Harbour Restaurant
Lake Union
Seattle Washington
The Seattle version of Gung Haggis Fat Choy Robbie Burns Chinese New Year Dinner has an edgy feel, which pushes the boundaries of both traditional Robbie Burns and Chinese New Year dinners. Scotland's favorite son Robbie Burns is compared to China's most famous poet Lao Tzu.
Children of all ages enjoy this multicultural, intercultural event, which has featured the Washington Chinese Youth Ensemble in past years, and was a fundraiser this year for the North West Junior Pipe Band.
A young drummer keeps up with the older drummers around him. This cultural fusion event opened with the North West Junior Pipe Band.
Pipe Major gives signals to the band, and demonstrates good poise. The band is a mix of male and female, older and younger, and often comes up to Vancouver area, to compete at the BC Highland Games in Coquitlam.
The dance floor was soon invaded by 6 Chinese lions – two were lion cubs.
Bell Town Martial Arts is led by Sifu David Leung, who once studied with Bruce Lee.
Haggis is served out of their casings… and heated in aluminum
casserole plates. But thankfully, a traditional haggis in it's casing
was used for my Address To The Haggis.
Jamie Foster sings the Burns song, “Ae Fond Kiss”, then helped lead a singalong of Loch Lomand, with musicians Todd Wong on accordion, Red McWilliams on guitar and Susan Burke on fiddle.
Todd Wong and Red McWilliams, hosting and singing + comic relief. We led an interesting diversion of kilt tartan identification.
Lauren Black, premier Highland Dancer, from Toronto. What was she doing in Seattle? She specifically came out to perform at the Seattle Gung Haggis Fat Choy Dinner because her mother is 2nd generation Chinese-Canadian, and her Scottish-Canadian father plays bagpipes, and it was a good excuse to come visit relatives. Last year she found out some of her friends, who live in Seattle had danced, and she decided she wanted to, too!
Rock & Roll bagpipes from Don Scobie's band “Nae Regrets”
Todd Wong presents a kilt wearing Quatchi to Gung Haggis Seattle organizer Bill McFadden.
