The Williams Lake Pipe Band’s fourth annual Celtic Ceilidh has attracted interest and support from artists who have donated unique and beautiful pieces for the event’s silent auction.
One of these artists is local potter Joan Beck, who says that she enjoys attending Celtic events, including the annual pipe band ceilidh and Robbie Burns celebrations at the Legion.
She said that the ceilidh, coming up on Saturday, Nov. 2 at Elks Hall, is a great way to catch up with friends, enjoy a traditional Scottish dinner and hear some great music. “These events bring out people who are interested in Scottish culture – the whole thing is fun,” she said. “We like the music, the dancing and food and we like to support the pipe band.”
The ceilidh will include performances by the Williams Lake Pipe Band and the Cariboo Men’s Choir, as well as Scottish dance presentations, fiddling and a ‘small pipes’ ensemble. There will be a Scottish dinner with roast beef and haggis, side dishes and delicacies.
Another artist who has generously donated to the ceilidh is bagpiper Katherine McManus from Aurora, Ontario.
She does water colour painting, stained glass, pottery and stone carving and her works have been sold in England, Germany, China and across Canada and the U.S.
A B.C. soapstone loon carved by McManus has arrived in Williams Lake as a contribution to the Williams Lake Pipe Band Celtic Ceilidh silent auction.
She said that one of her Facebook friends who shares a love for piping is Williams Lake piper John Visentin.
“Last January my band ran a silent auction for the first time at our Robbie Burns night. I was in charge of the silent auction and gathering donations and donated one of my pieces. The silent auction was very successful,” she explained.
“When John told me about the Williams Lake Pipe Band's event and asked me about donating a piece, I thought of my own band, and my own experience with the silent auction, and told him I'd be happy to do that.”
She said that not all communities, especially small ones, have a pipe band and that Williams Lake is very lucky that they do. “Pipe bands are a very important part of all communities, playing at community events, memorial services, parades, parties. Imagine a parade without a pipe band, or a Remembrance Day service without a piper or a pipe band. Something would definitely be missing,” she said.
“When the community is involved and supports the band, the pipe band does more than exist - it will continue to grow and to thrive.”
The Williams Lake Pipe Band Celtic Ceilidh will take place on Saturday, November 2 at Elks Hall, with dinner at 6 p.m. and entertainment to follow.
Tickets are available at the Legion and at Dundee Wealth at the Williams Lake and District Credit Union.