A Celtic folk band that includes a Place des Arts fiddle master and her Maillardville-raised husband will be back at the Coquitlam venue for a Robbie Burns show.
It’s the sixth time Blackthorn has been invited to entertain at Place des Arts to honour the Scottish poet, whose birthday on Jan. 25 is celebrated around the world.
While the dinner portion of the evening is now sold out, vocalist and guitarist Michael Viens promises the Blackthorn concert that follows the meal will be full of surprises.
“We love playing there,” he said. “It’s very much become a tradition for us. It’s an intimate venue and we connect with the audience. I hope they feel the same way.”
Viens said Blackthorn — which also features his wife, Rosie Carver; flautist Michelle Carlisle; and bassist Tim Renaud — will include host Ed Mornin of Greenock, Scotland, for the Address to the Haggis; he will also provide a talk about Burns’ life and work.
Burns Nights kick off a busy season for Blackthorn: On Wednesday, they pay tribute to the icon at Centennial Theatre in North Vancouver and, on Saturday, at Place des Arts. In between are private events at seniors and community facilities as a band as well as duo and trio ensembles. “Then we head right into ceilidhs in Vancouver before the St. Patrick’s Day parties begin,” Viens said. “All Celtic fun.”
A Centennial secondary grad who now lives in Vancouver, Viens said he also looks forward to Blackthorn returning to Festival du Bois — the Maillardville French-Canadian weekend fete (the band is scheduled to play at Mackin Park on March 24).
For tickets to the Place des Arts’ Robbie Burns concert (the dinner is now sold out) on Saturday, Jan. 27 at 7:30 p.m., call 604-646-1636 or visit brownpapertickets.com.
• Tickets are still available for the SFU Pipe Band’s Robbie Burns fundraiser on Saturday night at the Executive Plaza Hotel (405 North Rd., Coquitlam). The event, which includes a dinner with haggis, highland dancing and music from its award-winning groups, costs $80 per person with proceeds supporting the Robert Malcolm Memorial pipe band organization. Visit sfupipeband.com.
jcleugh@tricitynews.com
