The End of (Another) Era

Royal Canadian Legion, Branch No. 1

When the City of Regina Pipe Band started out in 1992, we contacted the Legion to ask if they would let us practice there, and they happily agreed. Later that fall, I was approached by the Legion President, Murray Carpenter, and asked if we would consider acting as the Legion Pipe Band in return for use of the hall whenever we needed it, and maybe even some initial help with uniforms. So, we signed an agreement with the Legion, and for many years the fine old building was home for the band. Years of the Mid-Winter Ceilidh were in the the hall there, and Sunday band practice year-round, and later when we started a grade 4 teaching program, it was in the Legion on Wednesday nights. The Legion gave us a large storeroom at the side of it's large stage, and we kept drums, uniforms, CDs, banners, trophies and other things there. In the main hall downstairs, we had a glass display case where we kept trophies, certificates, photos, patches and hat badges we'd been given, and other band keepsakes.

For many years, the Legion was home for the band. We practiced there, socialized there, had fundraisers and ceilidhs, and also played a role in many Legion functions, being the primary band at their Remembrance Day Ceremonies, Decoration Day in June, Annual Dinners, fundraisers, Poppy Day, and so on.

The CRPB bar in the Legion. Master brewer Trewin partially covered.

Our P-Sgt for many years, Trewin Somers, was perhaps the most capable bartender ever in the Legion, and we made huge profits running events there during the "Celtic wave" after Riverdance. In those days, the Legion executive was always very open to the pipe band's use of the hall, and many people ended up inside the venerable old building for the MWCF, the Regina Highland Games—especially one memorable year when in snowed on Games day and we moved it all inside. It was the Legion's best day that year in the kitchen. We also had "knockout competitions" there, and mini gatherings, recitals, started an adult piping class, ran piping and dancing workshops, and more.

So, I was a bit sad this morning, going down to the Legion to collect that last of the band's stuff. The inside of the Legion is turned upside down, and everything is being marked and photographed as lots for auction. The Legion as we've know in closes it's doors at midnight tonight, and the Atlantic Auditorium had its last pipe tunes on November 11 this year.

CRPB performing on the Legion stage, 2001 MWCF.

Greeting me at the door was Invan (spelling likely phonetic) , the caretaker. He has been there for all these years, and always a great friend to the band. He smiled and looked the other way when we would lock the doors after the MWCF and stay until 3 and 4 am to finish the Guinness keg. Trewin would say, "It won't keep. We better empty it." Invan would laugh at the antics, and sometimes just go home and ask us to lock it ourselves.

As the Legion fell on hard times and was unable to sustain its building, the pipe band gradually found itself practicing other places, while still supplying the bands and pipers for Legion events.

Anyway, this is a bit of a muddy ramble about the Legion, but I did think of a lot of great times and people while I was in there this morning. Hard to think that it was 20 years ago, and the number of beers that have spilled on the floor since then. Not sure what the Legion will look like when half of it is torn away and the big halls are gone, but hopefully it will retain some of the character that has made it such a great first home for the band these past 20 years.

It Seems Like Just 20 Years Ago

This past weekend the CRPB kicked off it's 20th year of activity by hosting the 20th Annual Mid-Winter Ceilidh, which is now part of the Mid-Winter Celtic Festival. It was a great night once again, featuring fairly raw sets by the band, and a lot of great entertainment from Celtic bands and dancers.

Coming as it does on the first weekend of February, the Ceilidh always marks the first real performance for new band members, and the first outing for new music. We played the new-ish medley, and tried some new tunes that we've been working on this fall. The show provides a launching spot for things to come.

This being the 20th anniversary, we asked former band members in the crowd to come up and get a picture taken at the end of the band set. It's always good to see former members come out to support band events, and this brought to mind it might be an opportunity to say "thanks" to all those band members who have made the band successful and fun over so many years.

So, thanks!

Waiting for a Band to Show Up


The past eight weeks or so have been an interesting time in the band, and as the title of this post would indicate, it's been a "down time" in terms of band activity of the public kind. It has been anything but a down time in other respects.

Band members will readily recognize the image of this post. It was made by member Ruaridh many years ago, and it forms the background image to our online music page, where we store music files for the band members. And that's what the past eight weeks has been: a wiping [pretty] clean of the proverbial slate, and a fresh start on a new medley, new MSR, all new drum scores, and some new tunes. Add to this a group of new members in pipes and drums, and we don't really know what we have just yet.

While there is a lot of new music being written, arranged, and tweaked, members are working hard at learning it, and we have been planning for the other elements of getting the band on the road: ensuring we have enough uniforms and equipment, and making budgeting and purchase decisions in a couple of areas.

Meantime, planning is well underway for the Alexander Keith's Mid-Winter Celtic Festival and apart from having a great leading act booked for the Ceilidh, there are many things to organize for the larger event, sponsors to work with, silent auction, and this year we are planning a public performance stage downtown, which will draw added interest and sponsorship for the event, as well as provide a "family friendly" performance stage during Saturday afternoon.

Add to all this that there is a Grade 4 band to manage and a potential Grade 3 band in the works, and you have a very busy time in the schedule.

However, I'm looking forward to getting this all on the floor, and hearing what we've got. Bring in the band!

Another Great Weekend for the Books
The 18th annual Alexander Keith's Mid-Winter Celtic Festival came and went over the weekend, and it was a great time. It started Friday night with music in O'Hanlon's, and then the afternoon session there 12-4 on Saturday, followed by the sold out and packed-to-the-rafters Ceilidh. A highlight for me was the band's performance of the medley.

With a packed hall and a healthy interest in the bar, food and silent auction it was a great fundraiser too, and special thanks go to Alexander Keith's for their support. They were there all weekend, looking after the performers, making sure lots of Keith's was enjoyed, and helping to make it a great event. Also thanks to Niall O'Hanlon for his support, and to all the perfomers. It was great having Gord Fisch in Regina to play with the Scott Benson Band for the Ceilidh.

Sunday morning at 10 it was back to the scene of the crime, I mean, Ceilidh for a two-hour practice before the out-of-town guys left the scene. We had a very goo practice. Making strides on new music, and starting to put together a better sound than we've had in a few weeks.

Thanks to all the band members for their commitment over the weeks leading up to the MWCF. There is real excitement building as we start to make firm plans for Scotland this summer, and a great fundraising and performance weekend is just what we needed.

It's Ceilidh Time, and More

Had a long blow at the Legion today [heat was on, and moderate] in preparation for The Alexander Keith's Mid-Winter Celtic Festival which happens next Saturday. Make sure you get your tickets, because we have some great stuff lined up, including an exciting new addition to the Regina Irish scene in the form of Irish dancer and dance teacher Laura Buckley who danced successfully for years with the Blakey School in Saskatoon, and who is now teaching in Regina. She will be a great addition to what is already a vibrant scene here for Irish dance, and we look forward to her performance at the Ceilidh. While we are working on new concert music for the Ceilidh, and for concerts in the USA in March, we are also focussed on getting ready for the Winnipeg Scottish Festival on February 21. It'll be a tough day, for sure, because we'll all be noticing the absence of PPBAM President Marlene Stephens, whose personal efforts have helped make that event such a success over the years. Marlene was always a friend to the CRPB and also to the Conservatory Pipe Band, and we'll miss her happy face when we arrive at the Games. So, bring your chequebook for the silent auction, and get yourself to the Ceilidh. We're looking forward to a great night. And, if you get to Sunday morning and you think you haven't quite had enough fun, come to band practice at 10 a.m., and then for lunch at O'Hanlon's. See you there.

Lift a Glass to Alexander!
The band recently got some very good news in that famous brewer Alexander Keith's will be a major sponsor for the Mid-Winter Celtic Festival, one of the band's long-standing fundraisers. Our thanks to the guys who make this happen. We've worked with Keith's previously on projects, and they always turn out well, so we're looking forward to this one. Wherever you are, make sure your next case of beer is Keith's!

This year's Festival is going to be February 6th and 7th, with events and O'Hanlon's Pub [another great band supporter] and at The Exchange, which is a fantastic venue for a ceilidh. The band will be airing some new members and material that night, and we have a full slate of performers, including the Saskatoon band Circling Over Shannon.

There will be a full day of music Saturday at O'Hanlon's, and also Friday night after work, and there are more events to come, so stay tuned to the Festival web site!