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August 4, 2020
Dear ASF Members and Friends of the Foundation,
During July the ASF has been "on the move", relocating the Foundation to a new home at 864 Lexington Avenue, 2nd floor, (65th Street), New York, NY 10065.
We are very excited by the move which will now allow us space to share and work more fully with our historic papers and books - and give us a space to host small events. We hope to be able to look to welcome you soon.
As we continue to navigate this challenging time, with the Team ASF mainly working remotely, we help our Scottish community feel closer together, sharing our love of Scotland through our new roots of communication.
This weekend the Chicago Scots hosted a virtual Highland Games, congratulations to Gus Noble and his team. Several other Highland Games are going "virtual" and share updates and news below.
The Edinburgh Festival is Virtual this August, program details are just being announced and we share news below.
Our next Bi-Weekly Podcast is Monday August 10 :
7pm (details below)
and
Our next Monthly On Line Sounds From Scotland Live Stream Concert is
Sunday August 16 : 3 - 5pm (details below)
- If you missed our previous ASF #ScotsInUS Podcast
- Mid Summer Burns, In Conversation with Kenneth Donnelly, Burns Society of New York, President and Alistair McCulloch, renowned fiddle player. With Words, Music and Verse we learn of their love of Robert Burns. Listen via this LINK to SPOTIFY
- If you missed our July "Sounds from Scotland" -you can still hear the performances via ASF Facebook page LINK TO ASF FACEBOOK
 .. As the "mighty" lions in front of the NY Public Library remind us - to masking up and staying safe.
Camilla G Hellman
President
American-Scottish Foundation
ASF COMMUNITY NEWS UPDATES
HIGHLAND GAMES:
We know from recent messages from ASF Members and friends how important Highland Games are to our community and this week report on news around Virtual Highland Games planned in the weeks ahead. Visit our ASF Highland Games Magazine Report for full news LINK HERE
This past weekend the Chicago Scots and the Colorado Scottish Festival & Rocky Mountain Highland Games led the way hosting virtual online program through Facebook
Upcoming Virtual Highland Games in the weeks ahead:
- August 7 -9 Fergus Scottish Festival & Highland Games - Virtual Ceilidh
- September 19 -20 NHScot are bringing the NH Highland Games to us virtually
As of now the following In Person August Highland Games are taking place:
- August 8 -9 Cold Spring Village Celtic Festival, NJ- still on
- August 15-16 -Amherst Scottish Festival & Highland Games - -
smaller event will take place but online reservations only
- August 22 - Douglas County, OR Highland Games & Gathering -still on
 A Thank you to Michael Reid, ASF Board Director, who is gathering the updates and news of late Summer/Fall Highland Games that are scheduled.
 It was wonderful to hear that the organizers of Grandfather Mountain steamed a Calling of the Clans - such a special moment in in lieu of games.
Later in October this year, the Celtic Colors event in Nova Scotia will be a streaming festival. While a virtual event is not the same experience as a games with caber toss, sheaf toss, IrnBru, ginger beer, Scotch eggs, fish & chips and ice cream, it nonetheless provides an opportunity for the community to gather and celebrate Scottish and Celtic culture and maintain an active event for annual continuity.
We at the American Scottish Foundation know how much work these online events entail and applaud this innovative option.
In addition, we are providing the following update on Highland Games and related events through the end of August (we'll report on September, October and November in later editions as so much in flux):.
NEWS HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK from SCOTLAND
Stirling Highland Games is going Virtual
In addition to the current trend toward virtual Scottish events here in the USA, we are receiving news from Scotland.
Saturday August 15th
Stirling Highland Games - Virtual
6am - 9am EST (GREAT way to start the day)
This historic city in central Scotland has a young games, just seven years young! With travel to Scotland from the US severely restricted, we urge you to investigate this event.
We will endeavor to continue to update you on similar online festivals and games being hosted in Scotland over the coming months as a part of our effort to connect the United States and Scotland.
The 2020 Edinburgh Fringe Festival is going Virtual. Plans have hastily been put in place for a virtual Edinburgh Festival this August.
Starting on Friday August 7th, AJ Bell Fringe on Friday will be a weekly live streamed show featuring a line up of artists representing the wide variety of talent at the Fringe.
Artists confirmed for Friday August 7th Event:
Suzi Ruffell (host)
David O'Doherty Tiff Stevenson Magical Bones
Erika Ehler Lost Voice Guy Craig Hill
Elaine Davidson Marcel Lucont Diane Chorley
Christopher Macarthur Boyd |
Streaming on the 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th August each show will feature 9 acts each night all for £9 (less than $12 a night!).
All monies raised will go towards the artists and venues
You can purchase your ticket directly from the Fringemakers page on the Edinburgh Fringe Festival website
AS PAUSE CONTINUES - A LOOK BACK:
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Amazing Grace -
Glasgow Philharmonic Orchestra
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The American-Scottish Foundation® Is grateful to Iain Sutherland for sharing with us this past moment, as he conducted the City of Glasgow Philharmonic Orchestra with the City of Glasgow Chorus and Pipes and Drums in a wonderful performance of Amazing Grace. As he explains:
..... "I was commissioned by the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall to write a suitable Finale for the Last Night of the Glasgow International Gala Season. I arranged "Amazing Grace" for the Pipe Band and Orchestra"
Amazing Grace, The Scottish Classics- Available on Amazon - Link HERE
Come join the Dance : Scottish Country Dancing
Summer Class Updates:
Save the Date - ASF Burns Night Celebrations
Friday January 15, 2021.
In preparation for ASF Burns Night Celebration and our guests "enthusiastic" reeling, we highlight the opportunity to take part in "At Home" Scottish Country Dancing to help increase your knowledge of the reels.
In New York, the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society has two groups active in Manhattan.
August Zoom Classes return to Thursday
at 7pm
Contact the NY branch of RSCDS to secure you Zoom link: Email
rscdsnewyorkorg@gmail.com
SCOTIA Monday classes are suspended for the Summer.
Join in the dance for 45 minutes or so, with a short virtual tea time to socialize with other Scottish Dancers in the area.
ASF SUMMER COCKTAIL OF THE WEEK SPOTLIGHT
ASF's suggestion this week from Arbikies receipe chest:
STRAWBERRY FIZZ
Ingredients
20ml Strawberry Vodka
1/2 lemon juice
5ml sugar syrup
- Top with champagne or prosecco
Method
Pour all ingredients into a shaker apart from fizz. Shake vigorously for 5 seconds. Double strain into Champagne flute, top up with fizz and serve with half of a strawberry.
SCOTTISH BANNER share their current issue with
American Scottish Foundation members & friends
As always The Scottish Banner is packed with news and updates from around the global Scottish American Community
The issue spotlights the Highland Games.
As Editor Sean Cairney notes:
... " Sadly, due to Covid-19 large scale events cannot take place just now and this has been devastating to the Highland Games communities across the globe.
For some going to a Highland Games each year was their only time to connect to their ancestry or was part of their family's tradition. To not have Highland Games taking place certainly leaves a void for so many facets of the Scottish community."
SOUNDS From SCOTLAND - MONTHLY CONCERT
LIVE STREAMED ON FACEBOOK
ASF Sounds from Scotland
Monthly two hour concert
3rd Sunday of the month 3-5pm EST
Please join us on
Sunday August 16 - 3pn - Live Streaming on Facebook.
Hosted by Jamie McGeechan
With performances from:
Whisky Kiss, Chris Andreucci,
Paul McGranaghan and Matt Scott
Music is a key component to our youth bursary programs and to our community programming - we love helping young emerging talent in Scotland have opportunities here in the US.
ASF #ScotsInUS FORTNIGHTLY PODCASTS
Every Second and Fourth Monday ...
 August 10 US Love of Tartan - Highland Games go Virtual
"In conversation" with Peter Wilson, President of Great Scot International and President, Scottish Heritage USA.
We continue by speaking with Gus Noble of Chicago Scots and Amy Lehman of NH Scots who will discuss how their Highland Games are going virtual in 2020.
With music from Sean Gray and Finn Magill, Sean Heely and Meredith MacCrindle
Pod and Zoom Library
..Take a listen if you missed on - our library of Pods in on:
APRIL 27 A LOOK BACK AT APRIL 2020 "In Conversation" - With all events cancelled due to Covid-19, a pivot was made around the leading April events - virtual recognition of National Tartan Day, The Declaration of Arbroath Anniversary and other important April events that we looked to not overlook.
With music from Alan Frew, Hannah Read and Colin Hunter
MAY 11 CLANS, THE LORD LYON AND HIGHLAND GAMES 2020 "In Conversation" with John King Bellassai,Council of Scottish Clans and Associations. discussing the state of the US Scottish Clans and roles played by the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs and of Joseph Morrow, Lord Lyon King of Arms
With music from Whisky Kiss, Fellswater, Tullamore and Ed Miller
"In Conversation" Greg King, Brand Ambassador of GlenDronnach
JUNE 22, ScotsInUS PODCAST Spring Roundup Presenter Jamie McGeechan takes a look back at the ASF Pods during this time of Pause. An hour of Music and Conversation
JULY 7 EXPLORING SCOTTISH ROOTS
"In converstation" with Dr Bruce Durie, Genealogist and Heraldist,
and Bart Forbes, President of the Clan Forbes Society, USA
With music from Lisa Kowalski, Anna MacDonald and Jamie McGeechan aka Little Fire
JULY 20 MIDSUMMER BURNS
"In converstation" with Kenneth Donnelly, President, Burns Society of New York and Alistair McCulloch, renowned Fiddle player and teacher at the Royal Conservatoire, Scotland
With music and verse from Alistair McCulloch and Jamie McGeechan - Little Fire and Kenneth Donnelly.
ASF SHARE SOME UNIQUE GIFT IDEAS FROM SCOTLAND
SCOTLAND SHAP
ASF MEMBERS ENJOY 10% Scotland Shop
DISCOUNT CODE ASF2019 on all purchases or custom orders
From Made to Measure services, to gift items.
Tartan Face Masks are now being offered by the Scotland Shop who WILL DONATE 20% from all mask sales to the NHS. As Scotland Shop explain, in purchasing one you are supporting self-employed seamstresses who have lost a huge amount of their income due to Coronavirus.
HC Apron, HC Tea Towel and Wooly Ewe Apron & Tea Towel:
As owner Hilary Creighton explains -
"We Scots do love our Highland Coos and Sheep and these delightful Aprons and Tea towels come with their own gorgeous Highland Cow or Sheep Pin. Designed in Scotland and all made in the UK". 
Scottish Creations work with small independent artists and designers across Scotland, allowing them to bring you the very best in contemporary and traditional Scottish designs.- A great source for unique gifts and a favorite of the ASF Team
Enjoy a Taste of Scotland:
ASF are delighted to announce our new ASF Member Benefit with our partners - and offering during this period our discounts to our Friends as well as Members:
(free freight on orders over $90- exclusive of frozen goods)
HARNEY & COMPANY ASF Scottish Teas: Support us as you enjoy our wonderful Scottish Morn or Scottish Afternoon Teas from Harney & Company, a portion of all sales goes to support ASF programs.
Walkers Shortbread who have a large selection of wonderful Scottish shortbread and biscuits
Ways to Support the American Scottish Foundation
Membership: A corner stone of organizations is Membership. If not yet a Member of ASF we invite you to join and take advantage of all of the Foundations benefits
and ways to be involved. 
Your only qualification for Membership is to have
Donations: At this time please consider a donation to the ASF. Click here
to help support of our Heritage, Arts, Culture and
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