Scots to Close NY Tartan Week on Ellis Island

Tartan Week in New York concludes with a family-friendly Scottish festival featuring pipers, drummers, singers and dancers who represent Scotland's "portable culture" that were brought to this country by Scottish immigrants. Program scheduled for Sunday, April 6, 2008 from 10AM to 4PM.

New York, NY (PRWEB) April 4, 2008 -- "Tartan Day on Ellis Island" returns for its seventh annual celebration on Sunday, April 6, 2008. The Clan Currie Society again plays host to a broad range of outstanding performers who will present Scotland's "portable culture" -- the music, dance, and stories that were brought to this country by Scottish immigrants.

The roster of performers includes, The New York Celtic Dancers, Grammy Award-winning fiddler, Lisa Gutkin, Scottish balladeer Gaitley Stevenson-Mathews, kilted juggler John Grimaldi and the St. Ann's of Hampton Pipe Band.

In addition, several Scottish-themed films will be screened including, "A New Way to a New World" from the acclaimed "Island Tapes" program, "Scotland: The Pride, The Passion, The People" from VisitScotland, and the award-winning documentary, "The Crafter's Song."

Ellis Island is a fitting place to observe Tartan Day. The island and its historic buildings represent America's "Golden Door." From 1892 to 1954, more than 12 million immigrants passed through Ellis Island. Although many Scots arrived during the colonial period of our history -- helping to build the new nation -- an additional half-million Scots came through Ellis Island. It has been estimated that 40% of Americans today can trace at least one ancestor's entry into the United States through Ellis Island.

The Tartan Day event runs from 10 a.m.to 4 p.m. There is no admission charge to the Tartan Day events or the immigration museum. Passenger ferries run from Battery Park in New York City and Liberty State Park in Jersey City, New Jersey. For complete ferry schedules to Ellis Island, visit: Statue Cruises (http://www.statuecruises.com).

For additional information about the Ellis Island Tartan Day observance, contact the Clan Currie Society at (908) 273-3509 or by visiting their Web site at Clan Currie Society (http://www.clancurrie.com).

About The Clan Currie Society:

The Clan Currie Society, an American-based, international, non-profit cultural and educational organization, is active in preserving and promoting highland heritage at Scottish Games, ethnic festivals, as well as community groups and classrooms. The Society has over 3,000 members worldwide that gather via the Society's website (www.clancurrie.com) and at special events and clan gatherings.

Contact:

Robert Currie

(732) 603-5746

Clan Currie Society (http://www.clancurrie.com)

###