STEPPING OUT

Creative advocacy

By Karen Bloom

ld Westbury Gardens will fill its lush grounds with the sounds of bagpipers and Scottish revelry as it welcomes the latest edition of the Scottish Festival and Highland Games. The annual spectacle on Saturday, Aug. 26, brings plenty of Scottish flair to the storied estate, presented by the Long Island Clan MacDuff.

With those bagpipes, traditional strength competitions and highland dancing — along with plenty of entertainment and assorted activities for lads and lasses — there’s plenty end-of-summer revelry for all ages. According to Scottish lore, the games were begun by the ancient highland chieftains to help them select the strongest men for their armies. Those ancient traditions continue today in the form of caber tossing, Putting the Stone, Putting the Sheaf, and arm wrestling competitions, piping and drumming.

“When the Clan MacDuff first came here in 1977, they knew they had found a home,” says Paul Hunchak, director of visitor services and public programs at Old Westbury Gardens.

And they’ve been back every year since — except those two years during the pandemic.

By Karen Bloom

Pat McGann

Long Island had once been home to five Scottish clans. Today only Clan MacDuff remains.

change the world? It’s a question been at the focus of our collective for centuries. Now as society navigates the complexities of modern life, path for social change is at the forefront of artistic expression.

“We consider this to be like a gathering of the clans,” says Clan MacDuff’s Peter Burnside Sr. “This is what they used to do in Scotland all those years ago. Groups of families would come together for games and food and companionship. We’re replicating that. People come from all over to meet their families here. It’s the end of summer, a good time for everyone to gather.”

Where When

• Saturday, Aug. 26, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• $25, $22 senior citizens, $12 children

• Saturday and Sunday, noon-4 p.m.; Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

• Emily Lowe Hall Gallery, South Campus, Hempstead. For information and to RSVP, call (516) 463-5672, or visit Hofstra.edu/museum

• 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury

• Free parking is available at Westbury High School, with shuttle bus service to and from the festival

We All Stand,” Hofstra University Museum of Art’s new exhibition, examines power of the arts in society.

• Tickets and information available at OldWestburyGardens.org, or (516) 333-0048 by Alexandra Giordano — the museum’s assistant director of exhibition and the exhibit underscores artists’ civic responsibility and influence. highlights the vital role that artists have in activating democratic values that equality and freedom, encouraging civic engagement, and cultivating unity,” “Artists often lead the charge and expose truths that may otherwise be artists in this exhibition take a stand and call out injustices through their art on issues such as immigration, gender, reproductive rights, mass incarceration, racial bias, gun violence, and promises unfulfilled. They all combine the making public service that has a grassroots approach in the hope of mobilizing their and the nation to ignite movement, create awareness, and inspire others to them.”

Now in its 61st year, it has evolved into a family festival as much as a cultural event. “There really is something for everyone,” Hunchak says. “You can explore the gardens, and then there’s this whole other dimension. Many folks settle in for the day. They camp out on the lawn with their picnic and connect with family and friends. It’s almost like a reunion. This is something people put on their radar year after year. And we enjoy hosting it.” exhibit, which runs through July 28, is in conjunction with Hofstra’s presidential conference on the Barack Obama presidency coming up in April. interested in the idea that the artist has a civic responsibility,” says director Karen Albert. “The initial idea for this exhibition was inspired by Administration White House briefing that took place on May 12, 2009, than 60 artists and creative organizers met with administration officials to collective power of the arts to build community, create change, and chart national recovery in the areas of social justice, civic participation and end, unlike other recent exhibits that showcased the museum’s collection, Giordano reached out to contemporary artists who loaned their selected works. Some 36 pieces are on view — representing from Emma Amos, Molly Crabapple and the Equal Justice Initiative, Miguel Luciano, Michele Pred, Hank Willis Thomas, and Sophia our climate is now, this exhibit could not be more timely than moment,” Albert adds.

While it has become a broad-based family affair — with birds of prey, falconry, vintage car show, Scottish dog parade, vendors offering Scottish wares, and so much more — those traditional elements continue to be a main attraction, especially the caber toss and pipe bands.

The caber is a long, tapered pine pole or log. The “tosser” balances it vertically by holding the smaller end, and then runs forward and tosses it so that it turns in the air with the larger end striking the ground first. Ideally, the pole strikes in a strictly vertical position, and the athletes are scored based on how closely the throw lands at a 12 o’clock position.

“The caber toss is always popular,” Burnside says. “People love to watch the strong men — and strong women.” the highlights, she points to the series of prints from the Freedoms. Their four large scale photos are based on Rockwell’s 1943 oil paintings inspired by President Franklin D. 1941 State of the Union address that outlined what he essential four democratic values freedom of speech, worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear. For interpreted these iconic works for our era. same composition,” Albert says. “From 1940s America,

While athletes are generally the ones up to the challenge, the public is invited to participate. Keep in mind that pole is 150 pounds and 25 feet long, Competitors also can try their skills with Tossing the Sheaf, and Putting the Stone. Tossing the Sheaf involves flinging a bale of hay over a horizontal pole with a large pitchfork. Putting the Stone is similar to the traditional Olympic-style shot put, but uses a large stone in which the weight varies.

While the games are going on, a lively lineup of bands and dance ensembles — including those assorted bagpipers — provide a musical backdrop throughout the day. The opening ceremony at 12:30 is quite special, with a grand march down the North Lawn, and not to be missed.

This year’s entertainment roster also includes the high-energy Scottish Band, Albannach, with its heavily percussive sound. There’s also the Celtic rock band Bangers and Mash, with their blend of Celtic rock, southern Rock and folk. And, of course, dancers doing varied interpretations of traditional highland dance and step dancing, among others.

Kids can find many activities just for them. They can try their skill at their own version of a caber toss, with light cabers (actually tubes), participate in sack races, and an old-fashioned tug of war.

When it’s time for a break, check out the Scottish products available for purchase and sample such Scottish delights as meat pies and haggis.

Pat McGann is quickly rising as one of the sharpest stand-ups on the comedy scene. A relative latecomer to comedy, he began doing standup at 31 after realizing he was not very good at selling packaging. He hustled his way to become the house emcee at Zanies Chicago, where he distinguished himself as especially adept at working the crowd. A husband and father of three young children, McGann’s appeal stems from his quick wit and relatable take on family life and marriage. In 2017, McGann began touring as the opening act for Sebastian Maniscalco, moving with him from clubs to theater, to arenas, including four soldout shows at Madison Square Garden. McGann’s relatively short, but impressive resume, includes Montreal’s famed Just For Laughs Festival, Gilda’s LaughFest, The Great American Comedy Festival, and more. McGann still calls Chicago home.

Boogie along with Disco Unlimited as summer winds down. When Disco Unlimited hits the stage, you are instantly transported to a time when Saturday nights meant white suits, platform shoes, and your very best dance moves. And dance you will — when you experience the magic created when the boogie begins. Capturing a time in music that to this day has not been matched, this lively band will exhilarate you with their powerful vocals, tight harmonies and dance grooves — all coupled with a synchronized stage and light show. Close your eyes and you will truly believe you are listening to the original artists. Hear the best of Tavares, France Jolie, The Trammps, Harold Melvin’s Blue Notes, Yvonne Elliman, Anita Ward, Deney Terrio, George McCrae, Bonnie Pointer, Melba Moore, Maxine Nightingale, Carol Douglas, and so much more. Joe Cool, Sista Soul, Funky Sista, Strat Cat, Wild Jerry and The MacDaddy comprise this group of unique and experienced musicians who love and live this era.

BALDWIN HERALD — February 9, 2023

Friday, Aug. 18, 8 p.m. As always, bring seating. Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, Eisenhower Park, East Meadow. For information, visit NassauCountyNY.gov/parks.

Saturday, Feb. 11, 8 p.m. $40, $35, $30, $25. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. (800) 745-3000 or Ticketmaster.com or ParamountNY.com.

Brit Floyd

Yarn/Wire

Now in its 18th year, Adelphi University’s ‘new music’ series welcomes Yarn/Wire.

favorite, a tug of war.

The intrepid New York-based piano-percussion quartet has forged a singular path with endlessly inventive collaborations, commissions and performances that have made a significant contribution to the canon of experimental works. The quartet features founding member Laura Barger and Julia Den Boer on piano and Russell Greenberg, also a founding member, and Sae Hashimoto playing percussion.

From those moments when the needle drops on side one with ‘Speak to Me,’ the alarm clock of ‘Tim,’ that sensuous vocal on ‘Great Gig in the Sky,’ the lunatics on the grass in ‘Brain Damage,’ and finally, the final heartbeats of ‘Eclipse,’ The Dark Side of the Moon pulls you in. Brit Floyd is back on the concert circuit with a new show celebrating 50 years of that ground-breaking and iconic musical masterpiece. Brit Floyd has become a phenomenon, widely regarded as the world’s greatest rock tribute show — faithfully recreating the scale and pomp of the final 1994 Pink Floyd tour, complete with a stunning light show, iconic circular screen, lasers, inflatables and theatrics. The nearly three-hour set list also includes other highlights from Pink Floyd’s magnificent catalogue of albums. Saturday, Aug. 19, 8 p.m.; Sunday, Aug. 20, 7:30 p.m. $149.50, $89.50. $79.50, $59.50, $49.50, $39.50, $25. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at Ticketmaster.com, or ParamountNY.com

Barger is a frequent guest with many top American contemporary ensembles. French-American Den