Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Photo Essay: Robbie Burns Night
()
Being Scottish means you are part of a great and noble heritage. Here in America, it is also a little like being a Trekkie. We gather in large masses wearing strange clothes while participating in strange rituals. I grew up in the center of it all. My family went to every Highland Games. I took Highland dance classes. My brothers played bagpipes and drums and competed in caber tossing competitions.
But as far as I went down the tartan rabbit's hole, I steadfastedly refused to go to Robbie Burns Night, the annual celebration of poet Robert Burns' birthday. From a tender age I knew that it meant listening to very long and dramatic poetry - and eating haggis. This year when I saw that the Tam O'Shanterwas having a Robbie Burns Night dinner I thought it might be a nice family bonding experience.
(Photos after the jump)
Support for LAist comes from
The Tam O'Shanter is one of the few restaurants I know of that still dress their servers in cute peasant outfits.
()
As part of this evening's entertainment, actress Koni McCurdy led everyone in the traditional "Auld Lange Syne" and told entertaining and slightly bawdy stories. She had amazing instincts working the room, knowing to barely graze my husband's head, while really getting flirtatious with my single brother.
()
The willowy violinist looks like a sad wood-nymph.
()
How much can you drink? Or how far? Can you drink half a yard?
Support for LAist comes from
()
These high-spirited diners are wearing Jimmy Hats.
()
Piper George McGilvaray. His father, Alex, can change anybody's mind about Scottish cooking.
()
Piper Harry Farrar, who told me that Wayne Wood, the Tam's new manager, had been really gracious to the performers and was pivotal in keeping the tradition of Burns' night going.
()
Support for LAist comes from
Robbie Burns Night is all about the Haggis. The main event of the evening is the (melo)dramatic recitation of Burns' poem Ode to the Haggis as the haggis is "slain". Dr. Neil MacCloud does the honors.
His knife see rustic Labour dicht,
An' cut you up wi' ready slicht,
Trenching your gushing entrails bricht,
Like ony ditch;
And then, O what a glorious sicht,
Warm-reekin, rich!
()
Long-time Tam O'Shanter chef Ivan comes out of retirement every year just to make the haggis. The Tam gives each table a small side dish of the Scottish delicacy to taste and you order your meal from the regular menu. I always assumed it would be mostly oatmeal with a lot of spices like clove. I was surprised by the lack of strong seasoning. It was like meatloaf made with liver. If you are a fan of beef liver and other organ meats, you would love haggis. I personally was very pleased when my prime rib arrived.
()
Photos by Elise Thompson for LAist
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake. -
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
Best of LAist