Kilted at the Casino

**Bob C** · 18th March 07, 02:01 PM

Turning Stone Casino, an Indian casino here in upstate New York, hosted an Irish festival yesterday, in advance of an Irish Rovers concert last night. I was there, wearing my Irish National kilt.

There was great music by Searson, one of my current favorites, Woods Tea Company, whom I had not seen in years, and Empty Hats, whom I had not seen before but enjoyed very much.

There was an embarrassing side to this deal, but it turned out to have a silver lining. The casino had a "greenest person" contest, so there were dozens of people painted green or wearing idiotic costumes. One rather clever one was a guy in an Incredible Hulk costume, wearing a kilt and playing a bodhran. We spotted each other from a distance, the only kilted guys in the room. He waved and I gave him a thumbs up. A few minutes later, a lady came over, handed me a CD and said "The Hulk wants you to have this." It turns out that "The Hulk" and his family have a traditional Celtic band called Repercussions. So, I got a free CD.

Later on, I spotted two other guys in tartan kilts and the leader of the Empty Hats band wore a black utilikilt.

I enjoyed bangers and mash for lunch and corned beef for dinner. There were a few vendors. I didn't buy anything, but I came very close to buying a T-shirt that said on the front "I'd rather enjoy my pint in peace..." and, on the back, "...but, you're obviously in need of a beating and I'm always willing to help a poor bastard out."

The only comment on the kilt was from an older lady who said it looked great.

The Irish Rovers, by the way, were wonderful.