The Scottish-American Society of the Quad Cities brings a 225-year-old Scottish tradition to the Quad Cities with its 48th annual Robert Burns Night Dinner on Feb. 21 at the Isle Casino Hotel, Bettendorf,.
The birthday of Robert Burns, Scotland's beloved poet and songwriter, is celebrated annually wherever Scots and friends of Scotland gather. The Quad Cities Scottish-American Society presents their celebration from 5:30-10:30p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, at the Isle Casino Hotel, 1777 Isle Parkway, Bettendorf, Admission includes full dinner, traditional toasts to the haggis, Robert Burns, America and Scotland, festivities, and all entertainment.
Entertainment includes piping in the haggis, multiple performances by members of the Black Hawk Pipe and Drums band, a Scottish dance lesson, and the Grand March. Other options include checking out the Society's raffle table. The event closes with a sing-along of Auld Lang Syne, one of Burns' most enduring songs. A special room block is available for out-of-town guests through the Isle Casino Hotel.
Adult meals range from $60 for the vegetarian option to $65 for salmon or the steak/chicken entree, with all orders due by 9 a.m. Feb. 14. A special $20 child's menu for ages 12 and under is also available. For the full menu and details, visit here.
For online ticket sales, visit here.
Robert Burns Nights have been celebrated in both Scotland and America since 1801, just a few years after the poet's death at age 37 in 1796. Most celebrations now occur closer to the poet's Jan. 25 birthday. Because winters in the Quad Cities can be brutal, the Quad City Scottish American Society has celebrated the event in February for the past few years.
The event is open to all - neither Scottish heritage nor kilts are required. Membership in the Scottish American Society of the Quad Cities is also not required.
For more information or to make reservations, visit here or contact Burns Night event coordinator Jill Tuck here.
Who was Robert Burns?
If you've ever sung "Auld Lang Syne" or used the phrase ""The best-laid plans of mice and men," you already know his work. More than 550 poems and songs are attributed to "the patriot bard," who wrote in the Scots dialect. Pieces still sung and recited today include "To a Mouse," "A Red, Red Rose," "Ae Fond Kiss," "Address to a Haggis," and "Tam o' Shanter." Burns Nights are celebrated annually around the time of the poet's birth on Jan. 25, 1759, in Alloway, Scotland. Five years after Burns died at the age of 37, on July 21, 1796, a group of his friends gathered at the Burns Cottage for haggis, speeches, and performances of Burns' works. The second Burns Night event was moved to his birthday, and has become an enduring tradition ever since.
What is haggis?
Haggis, the national dish of Scotland, is a pudding made from minced sheep's offal - the heart, liver and lungs, specifically - mixed with oatmeal, onions, suet and spices.
