Whisky Kiss are representing Broughton in the Big Apple for New York Tartan Week, writes bassist Iain MacPhail.
The main gig for the local 'souped-up ceilidh band' was to both open and close the biggest event of the Week, namely the 10th Anniversary 'Dressed to Kilt' Fashion Show.
The venue for this was in the centre of the performance world, on 42nd Street and Broadway: the Liberty Theater in Times Square.
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The night before the gig saw the band gain an exclusive invite to the all-star drinks reception at the venue.
[img_assist|nid=2900|title=|desc=|link=node|align=right|width=200|height=168]We schmoozed with the likes of former First Minister Jack McConnell, telly stunner Kelly Brook and her multi-sport boyfriend Thom Evans, plus other sporting achievers like Scotland rugby star Richie Gray (below-right) and Olympic skaters John and Sinead Kerr (bottom-left). Less obviously Scottish were actor Ioan Gruffud and designer Veronica McIsaac, great friends of the band.
The purpose of this event (and the next-day Fashion Show) was partly to raise awareness of the creative arts in Scotland, and partly to raise funds for two great causes – Cash for Kids (in Scotland) and the injured veterans charity Help for Heroes in the United States. Lord McConnell was there in his capacity as President of Cash for Kids.
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[img_assist|nid=2901|title=|desc=|link=node|align=right|width=143|height=200]We've brought over our three-piece band plus two world champion Highland dancers and four world champion breakdancers from Brooklyn. It's a great show and – in this year of Creative Scotland – it really showcases how traditional Scottish arts, when done to champion standard, are both compelling and exciting to audiences the world over.
The fact we get our fiddler and piper to perform live with our DJ, and that our Highland dancers dance-off against the world champ breakdancers, gives a really contemporary flavour and attracts an international audience to these types of creative pursuit. It worked brilliantly in the ultra-cool setting of this star-studded fashion show.
[img_assist|nid=2902|title=|desc=|link=node|align=left|width=150|height=200]We had a great time meeting the veterans from the American conflicts overseas, and found Lord McConnell to be a passionate ambassador for the plight of disadvantaged Scots children in need of assistance.
We also realised that when Chivas Regal sponsor an event it's wise to take a whisky-based cocktail (free of charge and full of alcohol). We found this out the hard way, having decided to start 'safe' with a cheeky beer: $15 a skull later, we decided that free cocktails were indeed The Future!
The band returns to Scotland this week, but our next two ticketed events have a more local flavour.
First up we're in Kuala Lumpur, at the Hilton Hotel, in May. Our compere that night will be none other than Broughton legend and comic crayzee Craig Hill. We can't wait to get on that gig, and we suspect whatever it ends up being like it won't be quiet!
And then on Thursday 21 June we return to the Voodoo Rooms, our home and regular venue.
We'll have our Highland Hotties and Scottish Champ B-Boys there plus the band and DJ. If you fancy heading along you'd be more than welcome, but just watch out as tickets for all previous events have sold out a few weeks in advance of the gig (leaving no tickets on the door).
Hope to see you there!
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