Run, don't walk, to KC Jan. 16-19

[Phogfan86]

If you are a piper or drummer (or both) and want to learn from and hear world-class Highland musicians, I highly encourage you to come to the Midwest Highland Arts Fund’s 8th annual Winter Storm in Kansas City. The dates are January 16-18 (Fri-Sun).

On the 16th, pipers and drummers from around the world will compete for championships in US Gold and Silver Medal Piobaireachd, North American Gold Medal Ceol Beag, Gold Medal and Amateur Tenor Drumming, Gold Medal and Amateur Bass Drumming and North American Gold Medal and Amateur Drumming.

Then, workshops for pipers of all levels – including those who have just picked up the chanter – will be held Saturday (all day) and Sunday (morning). Participants get world-class instruction from Gold Medal-winning faculty, including guys like Chris Armstrong, Alasdair Gillies, Jack Lee, Stuart Liddell and Fred Morrison. “The Captain,” Ken Eller, a true ambassador of piping, offers a beginner’s workshop that is highly motivational and gets any new piper off to a great start. I sat in on his class and get a tremendous amount out of it. I still warm-up using his exercises.

Drummers have the opportunity to learn from such amazing talents as Drew Duthart, Emily MacLeod, Haggis MacLeod, Steven McWhirter and Big Johnny Rowe.

The highlight, however, is the Winter Storm Pipes & Drums Concert, held in an acoustically-ideal church designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. The concert features an international, all Gold-Medal line-up of 22 of the world’s best Highland pipers and drummers. The champions of the 2009 Gold and Silver Medal piping competition and the Gold Medal snare, tenor and bass competitions also win the opportunity to play.

The concert is followed-up by Winter Steam, a ceilidh of epic proportion, sponsored by Newcastle Brown Ale. Mmmmmmmmmm...Newky Broooowwwwnnnn.

I simply can’t speak highly enough of this truly world-class event in Kansas City (of all places). Go to www.mhaf.org for more information, including competition registration, workshop registration, concert tickets (which you get if you register for the workshop) and spectator tickets for Friday’s competitions. There are also blocks of rooms at the Winter Storm hotel (Mariott) and the Holiday Inn directly across the street, but move fast. The rooms are going quickly!

Hope to see you over bagpipes and BBQ!

[dowofbuchanan]

hey im in kc ... and its right after me 21st so i can tie one on ... where is the proposed location for this gathering

well that seems great ... i may not go for the workshop as im not currently a piper or drummer but if not i should be at the concert for sure ... sounds like class

[ChattanCat]

I'll be at the Sat. band. Kilt meeting?
O'Dowds is in the plaza.

[dowofbuchanan]

dont believe ive been to odowds ... i wont be 21 until the week before this so i stuck to shady bars that didnt card ...but a kilted night in kansas city sounds lovely
sorry for the hijack

[Derek Conley]

This looks amazing! I may have to check out if I have that weekend off of work, then airfare...

[greenman11]

My wife and I are going to try to get to the concert, for once I'm not on call.

[Phogfan86]

Time to resurrect this. Winter Storms less than a month off. If you're a piper or drummer and can get to KC, consider signing up for the workshop. For $120, you get world-class instruction from players like Chris Armstrong, John Cairns, Stuart Liddell, Colin MacLellan, Fred Morrison and the Captain himself, piping's ambassador, Ken Eller.

And if you sign up for the workshop, you get a ticket to the Saturday night concert, a $30 value, and a Winter Storm t-shirt.

On the coasts where you can't swing a dead cat without hitting a piper, this may not be as big a deal, but here in the midwest, this is a phenomenal opportunity. Check it all out at www.mhaf.org.

[ANGELMAN]

My wife and I will be attending the concert Sat. 17th. a few have mentioned O'Dowds to maybe meet up prior to the concert. Supper and drinks? I would like to meet some of the others here at Xmarks while in town for the show. Anyone up for this. You can check out O'Dowds here http://www.odowdslittledublin.com

[Phogfan86]

I got an e-mail update from MHAF this morning. If you're planning on coming to the concert but don't have a ticket, don't count on getting one at the door. Ticket sales have been brisk, so I would encourage you to consider purchasing one online at mhafshop.org.

This show sells out every year. Last year's concert has been said to have been one of the greatest collections of talent ever assembled in one show. Break out the plastic and order your ticket(s) soon!