Serious Burns - Looking forward to Burns's 250th Anniversary in 2009!
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Clark McGinn
The Burns Supper Specialist
 
Speaking, Entertaining and Organising
Burns Suppers (and more!)
Around The World!
 

Thanks for looking up my website!

 

I have been speaking on Robert Burns and Scottish themes since my childhood in Burns's own Ayrshire and over the last couple of years, that has spilled into writing, following the publication of my book: The Ultimate Burns Supper Book (and other writing), which is an affectionate and lighthearted look at how to have as much fun as you can at this greatest of parties.

 

My family and I live on the outskirts of London, but my annual speaking season sees me rather further afield. This year I travelled  over 36,000 miles speaking to over two thousand people about Robert Burns and my 2009 season is fully booked and even bigger - which as it's Rabbie's 250th birthday party next year should come as no surprise!

 

So maybe we'll meet in Harrow, Helsinki, Oslo, Dubai, City of London, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Nottingham, The Caledonian Club in London, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Luxembourg, The Scottish Bankers Burns Supper at the Grosvenor House, London, Melbourne, Sydney, Chicago, Washington DC, Boston, and Houston.

 

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My 2007/08 Season started with the Seventh Annual St Andrew's Night Celebration for RBS  in New York - a great evening at the Cipriani on 42nd Street performing with the amazingly talented Red Hot Chilli Pipers (see them on http://www.redhotchillipipers.co.uk)  and the iconic US comedian Dana Carvey (http://danacarvey.com).  It was a fun evening and at $2 to the £1 I got all my Christmas shopping done too!

 

After distributing the aforementioned presents, I set off on a good run of Burns Suppers with five performances in London (including The Lassies at the Scottish Bankers - which is the biggest Burns Supper in the World; and The Immortal Memory for the Society of Scots Lawyers in London), a lecture in Edinburgh and performing as Master of Ceremonies (Addressing the Haggis and toasting the Immortal Memory, too) in Sydney (at the Opera House!) , then two Suppers in Stockholm's beautiful Riddarhuset), Helsinki, Birmingham, Nottingham, Douglas IoM, Harrow, Houston TX, Chicago and rounding off in Washington DC.

 

One of the best parts of the year is being on stage with some truly extrordinary talented people. This year has included the Red Hot Chilli Pipers (who will be joining me next year when I am in the Chair of the Scottish Bankers Burns Supper) and a series of performances with the Strathclyde Police Pipe Band (who remain a thrilling group of pipers and drummers). The Gary Blair Band remains a favourite ceilidh band, and it was a privilege to hear great the Scottish singing talents of Mairi Armstrong and Kirsteen McCue. On the male side,the singers Caledon remain as talented as ever.

 

But if you are looking ahead, please do call or e-mail to discuss what I could do for your Burns Supper in the future. In fact, with 2009 being designated as the 'Year of The Homecoming'  for Scotland, which will mark Burns's 250th anniversary, there is already a huge demand for speakers and performers and there are many opportunities to hold a party throughout the year, not just in January and February! Give me a call and we can chat about what we could arrange for you! Have a quick look at what we can do: Event Planning and Consultancy

From major Corporate Hospitality events in some of the most stunning locatins in the world to the prestigious Society of Scots Lawyers in London Burns Supper or The Burns Club of London to Ayrshire Burns Clubs and private functions; across the US, the UK and Europe; audiences ranging from 50 to over 700 people have enjoyed my trademark style of combining humour, poetry, history and an ability to tailor a message from Burns and his work which touches that particular group of men and women in that evening’s audience - every speech I give is unique.

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(Have a look at the ‘Audience Feedback’ Page to hear what people think!)

Audience Feedback

The tradition of the Burns Supper revolves around good food and drink in friendly company. Add a mixture of speeches, poetry, songs and music (along with a splash of tradition) to turn a great party into a true Burns Supper.
 
Every Burns Supper shares these common themes - but I have found that every Burns Supper is different, too, and so yours will need a different and individual speech. Contact  me now and see how I can add that special speech to your evening.

Book me now!

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Clark McGinn - The Burns Supper Specialist