A full day of Scottish culture including pipes and drums solo piping and drumming competition, mini bands contest and all the usual fiun of a Highland Gathering.

On Saturday, June 2, the front lawn of Parliament Hill in Ottawa will come alive with the sights and sounds of the Great Highland Bagpipes, drums and highland dancers ¨C 60 of each are encouraged to sign up on our website to take part in this wonderful event. Messages of congratulations will be recorded and forwarded to Her Majesty The Queen so please come along for the show which runs from 12 noon to 1 pm to film your message. The band and dancers will perform over the hour and you are welcomed to come along and enjoy the free show. There will be an after party at the Highlander Pub at 115 Rideau Street, corner of Rideau and William Streets in the Byward Market. Visit www.championbagpipes.com for more information on the show, and to register as a participant. There is special recognition for all members taking part in this historic event in honour of The Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

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Dowco Triumph Street Pipe Band is celebrating its 40th year in 2012. Please join us on January 28th to start the years celebrations with our Annual Burns Dinner fund raiser. Tickets are selling fast and are available at triumphburns@gmail.com.

Alaska Celtic Pipes & Drums present the 5th Annual Snowflake Concert at 7:00 pm on Saturday, February 25th, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 18444 Old Glenn Highway, in Chugiak, Alaska, (On the Old Glenn Highway, between North and South Birchwood Loops.) The Snowflake Concert promises to deliver yet again a brilliant evening of entertainment, with piping and drumming from the entire ensemble, as well as solos, and smaller groups of pipers and drummers within the Band. Based in Eagle River, Alaska Celtic Pipes & Drums is very active in the greater Anchorage area, the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, and throughout South-Central Alaska, and has great fun teaching, performing, and competing. The Band is looking forward to participating this summer at the Top of the World Games in Dawson City, YT, as well as at the Alaska Scottish Highland Games. The Snowflake Concert is one of several community concerts presented throughout the state by Alaska Celtic Pipes & Drums, and is regarded by the Band as a particularly special time to say thanks to the people of their own home district. Special Guest performances will also be presented by The Irish Dance Academy of Alaska, and the Alaska Youth Pipes & Drums. Midway through the concert, there will be a short intermission, during which refreshments, Scottish shortbread, and cookies will be served. Admission is free; donations are accepted, with proceeds going towards Alaska Celtic Pipes & Drums¡¯ Education Fund, and the church youth group. Contact the Band via email at jungstensgericht@yahoo.com , or phone 907/376-5060. Phenomenal!

The 61st Annual MJHG features solo piping and drumming, pipe bands, Highland dancing, heavy athletics, as well as displays and vendors.

The RHG features solo piping and drumming, pipe bands, Highland dancing [including the "Queen City Open HD Championship"], Scottish heavy athletics, and a beer tent with all-day entertainment. This year, the pipe band contest will be held in a stage format in the beer tent.

Two EUSPBA sanctioned competitions over two days. Each day will have its own results and prize money, with the combined score from both days determining the winner of the Capital District Scottish Games Nor'Easter Cup for each grade (grades 2 through 5). Plus, a drum salute contest in the main beer tent on Sunday. Open to all grades. $500 prize to winning corp.

Pipe, Drum and Band Competition in Centennial Park in Smiths Falls along the Rideau Waterway. Visit the website for information and registration. http://www.gordonpipeband.com/hotr/home.html

This year KSF features Amateur Solo Piping & Drumming, Professional Solo Drumming, Pipe Band events from grade 5 to grade 1 and Highland Dancing Competitions. The day also includes a Kids Zone, Vendors, Food and Beer Tent. Free admission. Visit the website for more details and to register online.

Presented by the Sons of Scotland Pipe Band of Ottawa, National Tartan Day celebrates tradition and heritage in the nation's capital. 12 noon the front lawn of Parliament Hill hosts a 1 hour show which features pipes and drums from all across the region, highland dancing presentations, and Scottish country dancing too. Wear your tartan, bring your friends, and come be a part of history on Sunday April 8 in Ottawa, Canada.

Please check the Competing Pipers Association website for more information.

Please check the Competing Pipers Association website for more information.

Please check the Competing Pipers Association website for more information.

WHAT: The Young Dubliners LIVE in Concert! WHERE: World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104 WHEN: August 18th, 2011 -- Doors: 7pm, Show: 8pm As their name suggests, The Young Dubliners are a band comprised of several Dublin natives blend traditional Irish music with rock n¡¯ roll to create a jam-friendly sound. For over fifteen years the group has toured, recorded and performed to growing audiences. Their latest album, ¡°Saints and Sinners,¡± finds the Dubliners pushing themselves as songwriters, creating one of their finest records to date. "really set a very high standard for ourselves as songwriters," says founding member Keith Roberts. "We live on the road, but were aware that if every few years we don¡¯t give our fans the highest quality songs we can, that level of excitement and anticipation may not last forever. We consider ourselves songwriters first and never just jammed styles together to sell albums. Our goal has always been to keep getting better and make the songs mean something.¡± For more information and to purchase tickets to the show, please visit : http://tickets.worldcafelive.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=1887 ar

North America's leading Northumbrian smallpipe player will do a 'house' concert at Jim McGillivray's teaching building at St. Andrew's College in Aurora, 7:30 pm, Tues., Aug 9. Dick Hensold will present various types of music on various pipes in this concert/lecture. Tickets are $15 with all proceeds going to Dick to help pay his expenses to and from The Pipers' Gathering, where he is teaching smallpipes. To reserve a place and get directions, email Jim at jimmcg@piping.on.ca

The world¡¯s oldest bagpipe competition will return to Falkirk again this year on Saturday 3rd September 11:30 to 16:30. The competition made a triumphant return last year after a 29 year gap with four competitors battling it out to win the Falkirk Tryst Trophy. This year will show nine pipers competing for prestigious prizes. The event will be held inside St Modan¡¯s Parish Church, there will also be a procession of the competitors along Falkirk¡¯s High Street which will be led by the winning piper.

Eight international instructors - Jim Kilpatrick, Stuart Liddell, Grant Cassidy, Richard Hawke, James Laughlin, Jori Chisholm, Tyler Fry & Greg Wilson - at our annual 3 day Workshop, which also features a recital night with all eight instructors playing on Saturday night, 24 Sept.

Highland Gathering which includes the Australian Capital Territory Pipe Band Championships. Guest judges Jim Kilpatrick, Stuart Liddell, Richard Hawke and Tyler Fry.

10:00 am to noon: Nicol-Brown Master Class. :::::: Nicol-Brown competitors will have the privilege of receiving instruction from Dr. Jack Taylor, President of the Piobaireachd Society, and the members of the EUSPBA judging panel are encouraged to observe the master class. Topics will include musical expression, technique, and improving musicianship toward the professional level of piping. All pipers are welcome to this morning session, but please register if you¡¯d like to sit in on this advanced class. Contact Maureen Connor: 518-374-6034 or email: meconnor@earthlink.net :::::: :::::: 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm: EUSPBA Judges¡¯ Seminar. :::::: Members of the Judging Panel are encouraged to attend a follow-up session with Dr. Jack Taylor, who will lead a discussion on the art of judging piping. To register, contact Music Board Chair, June Hanley: jhanley@cuh2a.com. :::::: The Celtic Hall, 430 New Karner Road, Albany, NY 12205.

Innovation is pleased to announce the inaugural Innovation Canberra 2011 - Drumming for Drinks held in conjunction with the Canberra College of Piping and Drumming's ACT Pipe Band Championships. Come and join the party on Saturday, October 8th starting at 7.30pm with champion drummers Grant Cassidy (UK), Liam Cox (AUS), Dean Hall (AUS), Tom Hill (NZ), Jess Hutchison (AUS) and Jon Jones (AUS) performing to win your vote for $1000 cash and prizes. Live music from Cassidy's Ceilidh throughout the evening. Tickets are available at the door to the Canberra Burns Club and it promises to be an outstanding event and party! Can't wait to see you there!

Featured performers include Andrew Weir from the film ¡°Braveheart,¡± fiddle champion Paul Woodiel, ¡°Riverdance¡± piper Christopher Layer, Gaelic Mod champion harpist Jennifer Port of Golspie, Scotland, and the Pipe Major Kevin Ray Blandford Memorial Pipe Band of Redlands, CA.