Around the world in January, fans of Robert Burns (1759-1796)—the national poet of Scotland—celebrate his life and poetry. This usually happens on his birthday, January 25, but other days nearby are sometimes chosen, too. Usually referred to as “Burns Suppers,” they offer a chance to gather together, dance, drink (eschewing Dry January) enjoy traditional Scottish food and music, and hear his poems recited.
This year we’ve put together some places where Robert Burns is celebrated in the Portland area. For those wondering, the big Burns supper at Multnomah Whiskey Library is sold out (they launch ticket sales mid-December, so it’s understandable they’d be sold out by now).
Robert Burns and His Importance in Scottish Culture
Robert Burns is considered by many to have been anti-monarchy, anti-slavery, and pro-freedom and democracy. The Scottish Parliament considers the celebration of Robert Burns a meaningful annual cultural event. In 2017 they made a formal motion on celebrating Robert Burns and the Scots language:
“That the Pairlament walcomes the annual celebration o Scotland’s national makar, Robert Burns, whilk is haudit oan January 25th ilka year tae mark the Bard’s birthday; conseeders that Burns waes ane o the greatest makars, an that his wark haes influenced thinkers the warld o’er; notes that Burns’ first setten furth collection, Poems Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect, kent tae as the “Kilmarnock Edition”, setten furth in 1786, did muckle tae mak better kent an tae forder the Scots leid, an conseeders that this bides amang his maist important legacies; believes that the celebration o Burns Nicht is an opportunity tae heize fowk’s kennin o the cultural significance o Scots an its status as ane o the indigenous leids o Scotland, an believes forby in the importance o the scrievin doon o the Scots leid fur tae mak siccar its bidin throu scrievit documentation, as weel as oral tradeetion.”
Standard English version here.
Celebrating Robert Burns in the Portland Area
Here are the various ways people celebrate Robbie Burns in the Portland metro area this year.
Celtic Heritage Alliance Robert Burns Supper
They Celtic Heritage Alliance hosts their Burns Supper on Saturday, January 24 from 6pm to 9pm at the historic McMinnville Grand Ballroom. They’ll have a traditional Scottish 5-course dinner, poetry readings, music, and many toasts to celebrate Robert Burns. Alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase separately.
Tickets are $80 per person, or you can reserve whole tables (seating for 8) at $600 per table. Buy your tickets here. Formal attire encouraged but not required. This is a 21+ event.
325 NE 3rd Street, McMinnville. Celtic Heritage website
McMenamins Mission Theater: Celtic Light Orchestra
On Saturday, January 24 the Mission Theater presents “Celtic Light Orchestra Celebrates Robert Burns.” They plan to offer “a Burns Night like none other.” This family-friendly event will have “rousing Scottish fiddle music, songs by Scotland’s beloved poet-Robert Burns, bagpipes, dazzling LED lights, Scottish Highland dancing, and delicious Scottish fare.”
Celtic fiddle virtuoso Katie Jane Lubiens will be there along with a special performance by the Clan Macleay Pipe Band.
Tickets range from $43 for general admission and balcony, to $165.16 for a VIP Table for two with a meal. Buy them here via Etix/Cascade Tickets.
1624 NW Glisan Street, Portland. Mission Theater website
Northwest Wine & Food Society Burns Supper
The Northwest Wine & Food Society is hosting their 20th Anniversary & Robert Burns Supper. “Join us for a spectacular evening celebrating 20 years of supporting students in culinary, viticulture, and hospitality programs—raising a glass to education, community, and the next generation of talent.”
It takes place on Saturday, January 24 at Hotel Indigo on the Vancouver Waterfront. Doors open at 5pm; the dinner, service, and program starts at 6pm. To start, you’ll be presented with a welcome cocktail to enjoy during the silent auction, and a multi-course dinner of traditional Scottish fare. Tickets are $150 per person and $1,500 for a table of 10. Buy your tickets here.
There’s going to be an after party, too, at the Witness Tree Lounge (located in the same hotel as the Supper) at 9pm. Live music, late-night bites from El Gaucho, and another chance to raise a glass to Robbie Burns (drink ticket included). Tickets are $75.
550 Waterfront Way, Vancouver, WA. Hotel Indigo website
Portland Highland Games Association Burns Night
The Portland Highland Games folks are looking forward to hosting a festive Burns Night celebration on Saturday, January 31 at the Milwaukie Elks Lodge. Here’s how they envision this event:
“The evening typically includes bagpipes, tartan, the ceremonial ‘Address to a Haggis,’ traditional food and drink, lively music, and heartfelt toasts celebrating Scottish culture and community.”
At the writing of this roundup, pricing and tickets are not yet available. Stay tuned to their website (as well I) for more info.
13121 SE McLoughlin Blvd, Oak Grove. Milwaukie Elks Lodge website
Portland Revels Robert Burns Pub Sing
Each year the Portland Revels holds three pub sings, and the first one of the year always celebrates Robert Burns. Folks gather together to eat, drink, and sing together, and the Burns sing takes place Sunday, January 25, at 4:30pm (doors open at 4:15pm) at Lucky Lab in the Slabtown section of Northwest Portland. The sing will last a couple of hours.
Tickets are free (reserve here); suggested donation is $10 at the door. Attendance is capped at 65. If this is your first pub sing, you can check out some of the songs they often feature on this Youtube playlist. No previous experience is required.
Of course, there’s plenty to eat and drink at Lucky Lab—pizza, salad, sandwiches, and more.
1945 NW Quimby Street, Portland. Lucky Lab website
Scotch Lodge and the Scotch Malt Whisky Society
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society at Scotch Lodge will celebrate Robert Burns on Sunday, February 8 from 3pm to 5pm, “with pours, prose, and song!”
This is a chance to enjoy some rare single malts, live music, and poetry in honor of Robert Burns. You will be tasting “a curated selection of Society casks” along with Burns-inspired hors d’oeuvres (passed throughout the crowd). Musical guest Elias Alexander and Burns bard Jason Waddleton will offer Burns prose and Highland music.
Note: “While Society whisky is available for purchase by members only, this event is open to anyone eager to taste and learn in the company of fellow whisky lovers. Members enjoy a preferential price for admission.” You can purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. SMWS member tickets are $110 (plus $9.22 fee) and non-member admission is $110 (plus $11.90 fee). Ticket sales end February 8.
215 SE 9th Avenue #102, Portland. Scotch Lodge website
Food and Music and Robert Burns: a Personal Note
Years ago when I was living in Berkeley, CA I was studying to be a harpsichordist at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and worked a factory job at Donsuemor Madeleines. It was founded by Don (who died in 1997) and Susie Morris; the name of the company is a mix of their first names and last.
Starting in the 1970s they sold and delivered their buttery madeleines around Berkeley in their VW van; then they made them at the late great Virginia Bakery and Pig by the Tail; then they moved to a factory in Emeryville, which is when I intersected with them. Today you can find their madeleines at Peet’s and Starbucks, among other places—one of which I believe is COTTA in Portland’s west hills.
Susie was active as a singer of early music—a founding member of Ensemble Alcatraz—and premiered a number of new works at the time. In the mid-1990s, she and Phebe Craig, a local harpsichordist, collaborated on some recording projects having to do with the work of Robert Burns. They made the connection between his poetry and Scottish tunes: “Burns collected his native tunes and songs and created poetry to many of the wonderful fiddle tunes he loved.”
They produced two records, “Between the Late and Early,” and “Among the Lasses.” They recorded the original version of Auld Lang Syne, sung a capella, which at the time was very well-received by Martin Goldsmith of Performance Today on NPR. You can listen to it here. It seems appropriate to share it soon after the new year.
But I think it is their version of “Sweet Are the Banks” that I find especially beautiful.
To me, the lyrics feel relevant to our times, in an abstract way. It also reaches down and speaks to my Scottish heritage.
Sweet are the banks, the banks of Doon,
The spreading flowers are fair,
And everything is blithe and glad,
But I am full of care.
You will break my heart, you lovely bird,
That sings upon the bough!
You remind me of the happy days
When my false Love was true.
You will break my heart, you lovely bird,
That sings beside your mate,
For so I sat, and so I sang,
And knew not of my fate!
Meg Cotner
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