Kilted Celtic Christmas Night Out

[Geomantic]

Last night my wife and I attended the Va. Symphony's Celtic Christmas w/Eileen Ivers and had a great evening. She did some truely amazing fiddle work as she played tradition Irish, English and American Christmas tunes, as well some Riverdance selections with her first-rate band and the Symphony. She played "Christmas Time is Here" from A Charlie Brown Christmas and even touched on the blues and Jimi Hendrix as she played jigs, reels, polkas as well as classical.

I'm lucky as my wife likes my wearing a kilt out with her, so in the spirit of the season I wore my MacDonald of the Isles ancient tank, accessorized w/grey sealskin sporran, lovet green hose w/red flashes and skean dhu, black wing tip brogues, black belt & silver celtic knot buckle, lovet green shirt w/red tie and black argylle jacket. Although it was almost a sell-out I only saw one other kilt all night, a weathered Marine Corps (I believe?) tartan & a sweater. I felt I made a positive impact in this largly unkilted area, receiving countless questions as to the specific tartan to comments from the "nice outfit" to "we've been admiring you all night", mostly from the ladies! Many flashes of cameras and camera phones (never got "the question"). My favorite reaction, which I get the most in this area, is people just seem to smile a lot "bigger and brighter" when acknowledging me in my kilt. Has anyone else noticed that? During the show the gentleman to my right seems a little uncomfortable as I had PLENTY of arm, shoulder and leg room the entire performance, which is unusual in this venue. I think he only used half his seat! The funny thing was the only person all night to not even seem to notice was Eileen Ivers as we spoke at the after-show "meet and greet".

BTW, Ms Ivers had played tuesday night w/the Denver Symphony and had spent several days watching in snow at the Denver airport. Although she had been told she might not get out until the 26th she made it into Norfolk friday night for the show!