Braveheart child-star James Robinson is set to spread some Celtic cheer in New York this weekend at a major ex-pat concert.
The actor, who played the young William Wallace in the Mel Gibson film, is hosting The Pipes of Christmas, a much-loved musical celebration which brings a slice of home to the thousands of Scots living in the Big Apple.
Organised by the Clan Currie Society and sponsored by Edinburgh Napier University, James will join a host of Scottish stars on the programme.
The Scot, who is currently starring in US historical drama ‘The Bourgias’ with Jeremy Irons, said: “Being able to promote Scotland on an international level is always a joy:-“The concert is an eclectic and traditionally Scottish celebration with music, poetry and song; giving people the chance to experience a very Celtic Christmas in the middle of New York.”
James, who will also give a variety of Celtic readings at the event, will be joined on the bill by Highland harpist Jennifer Port and Gaelic tenor Paul McCallum.
Two Scottish composers will debut new pieces; Steve Gibb has created “Balmoral Snow” to celebrate this year’s Diamond Jubilee and Edinburgh-based James Ross will pay tribute to the late Neil Armstrong at the event, with a piece highlighting the astronaut’s Scottish roots. The Scots performers will share the stage with a Californian pipe band, a champion fiddle player from New Jersey and US piper Christopher Layer.
James added:- “The grand scale of the event and warmth and closeness of the society and their belief in their cause is inspiring.”
Robert Currie, president of the Clan Currie Society said: “We are thrilled to be able to spotlight such wonderful Scottish talent. In doing so, we are also helping to build the next generation of musicians and composers, as funds raised from the concerts support our scholarship programme which includes bursaries to the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, the National Piping Centre and Scotland’s Gaelic college Sabhal Mòr Ostaig.”
The Pipes of Christmas will be staged in New York’s Upper East Side on Saturday 15th December before moving to New Jersey for a second performance on Sunday 16thDecember.
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