The Haggis Basher's Ball & Burns Supper

**The TARBAS committee is committed to creating and providing an environment where our event patrons feel comfortable, but also free to enjoy the festivities. We encourage guests to follow safety protocols. Those feeling symptomatic or who have been exposed must stay home. **

Evening Itinerary

A few welcoming words begin the evening and the meal
commences with the Address to the Haggis.

After the cocktail hour, guests are welcomed at the beginning of the evening by the Master of Ceremony after the head table’s speakers are lead into the ballroom by a piper.

Shortly thereafter, the company are asked to stand to receive the haggis.
A piper then leads the chef, carrying the haggis to the top table, while
the guests accompany them with a slow handclap. The chairman or
invited guest then recites Burns' famous poem To a Haggis with great enthusiasm. When he reaches the line "an cut you up wi' ready slight",
he cuts open the haggis.

It is customary for the company to applaud the speaker, then
stand and toast the haggis with a glass of whisky.

The company will then dine immediately after the Selkirk Grace.

A typical Bill o' Fare would include:

Cock-A-Leekie Soup - FDA Approved Haggis warm reeking -
Rich Wi' Champit Tatties - Bashed Neeps - Typsy Laird (sherry
trifle) - A Tassie 'o Coffee

Also part of the evening is the Heads and Tails. Arctic
Controls, Inc., sponsors this event in which a hand-made kilt
from Scotland is given to the last standing "Heads and Tails"
winner.

The Immortal Memory is one of the central features of the
evening. An invited guest is asked to give a short speech on
Burns. There are many different types of Immortal Memory
speeches, from light-hearted to literary, but the aim is the same
- to outline the greatness and relevance of the poet today.

Toast To The Lasses: The main speech is followed by a more
light-hearted address to the women in the audience. Originally
this was a thank you to the ladies for preparing the food and a
time to toast the "lasses" in Burns' life. the tone should be
witty, but never offensive, and should always end on a
conciliatory note.

Response: The turn of the lasses to detail men's foibles. Again,
should be humorous but not insulting.

Songs and Dancing: Once the speeches are complete, the
evening continues with songs and dancing to traditional
Scottish music.

The evening will culminate with the company standing, linking
hands, and singing Auld Lang Syne to conclude the program.

January 27, 2024

Haggis Basher's Ball and Burns Supper

January 27, 2024 will be the 23rd anniversary of the Anchorage Robert Burns Supper in honor of Scotland's greatest poet, Robert Burns.

This gala event, which has become one of the most popular evenings of the Anchorage social calendar, will include a fabulous four-course meal, Highland Pipers, entertaining speeches, and dancing!

VENUE: Marriott Anchorage Downtown
DATE: January 27, 2024

Drinks will be served beginning at 6:00pm.
Festivities will begin at 6:55pm SHARP.

7:30pm:

Address to the Haggis: TBD
The Immortal Memory: Lesley Hammer
Toast to the Lassies: John Lewis
Reply from the Lassies: Treece Hanley
Selkirk Grace: TBD
Master of Ceremonies: Samantha Shepard

ATTIRE: Kilt, Black Tie, or Business Suit

For check-in purposes only, a list of names for each person to be seated at your table is required.

We encourage guests to follow all safety protocols. Those feeling symptomatic or who have been exposed must stay home.



The Haggis Basher's Ball & Burns Supper The TARBAS committee is committed to creating and providing an environment where our event patrons feel comfortable, but also free to enjoy the festivities. We encourage guests to follow safety protocols. Those feeling symptomatic or who have been exposed must stay home. Evening Itinerary A few welcoming words begin the evening and the meal commences with the Address to the Haggis. After the cocktail hour, guests are welcomed at the beginning of the evening by the Master of Ceremony after the head table’s speakers are lead into the ballroom by a piper. Shortly thereafter, the company are asked to stand to receive the haggis. A piper then leads the chef, carrying the haggis to the top table, while the guests accompany them with a slow handclap. The chairman or invited guest then recites Burns' famous poem To a Haggis with great enthusiasm. When he reaches the line "an cut you up wi' ready slight", he cuts open the haggis. It is customary for the company to applaud the speaker, then stand and toast the haggis with a glass of whisky. The company will then dine immediately after the Selkirk Grace. A typical Bill o' Fare would include: Cock-A-Leekie Soup - FDA Approved Haggis warm reeking - Rich Wi' Champit Tatties - Bashed Neeps - Typsy Laird (sherry trifle) - A Tassie 'o Coffee Also part of the evening is the Heads and Tails. Arctic Controls, Inc., sponsors this event in which a hand-made kilt from Scotland is given to the last standing "Heads and Tails" winner. The Immortal Memory is one of the central features of the evening. An invited guest is asked to give a short speech on Burns. There are many different types of Immortal Memory speeches, from light-hearted to literary, but the aim is the same - to outline the greatness and relevance of the poet today. Toast To The Lasses: The main speech is followed by a more light-hearted address to the women in the audience. Originally this was a thank you to the ladies for preparing the food and a time to toast the "lasses" in Burns' life. the tone should be witty, but never offensive, and should always end on a conciliatory note. Response: The turn of the lasses to detail men's foibles. Again, should be humorous but not insulting. Songs and Dancing: Once the speeches are complete, the evening continues with songs and dancing to traditional Scottish music. The evening will culminate with the company standing, linking hands, and singing Auld Lang Syne to conclude the program. January 27, 2024 Haggis Basher's Ball and Burns Supper January 27, 2024 will be the 23rd anniversary of the Anchorage Robert Burns Supper in honor of Scotland's greatest poet, Robert Burns. This gala event, which has become one of the most popular evenings of the Anchorage social calendar, will include a fabulous four-course meal, Highland Pipers, entertaining speeches, and dancing! VENUE: Marriott Anchorage Downtown DATE: January 27, 2024 Drinks will be served beginning at 6:00pm. Festivities will begin at 6:55pm SHARP. 7:30pm: Address to the Haggis: TBD The Immortal Memory: Lesley Hammer Toast to the Lassies: John Lewis Reply from the Lassies: Treece Hanley Selkirk Grace: TBD Master of Ceremonies: Samantha Shepard ATTIRE: Kilt, Black Tie, or Business Suit For check-in purposes only, a list of names for each person to be seated at your table is required. We encourage guests to follow all safety protocols. Those feeling symptomatic or who have been exposed must stay home.
The Anchorage Robert Burns Appreciation Society (TARBAS) is a 501(c)(3) Public Charity. EIN: 80-0011849