Oregon Piper is now fully vaccinated!

At long last, I am officially fully vaccinated, and you can once again see my unmasked cheeks inflating like those of a walrus. freshly awakened from hibernation.

Going unmasked at indoor events, no matter how crowded, is now deemed safe for fully vaccinated people (as per the CDC).

Of course, when I’m not piping I’ll continue to social distance and wear a mask. And as the bagpipe is truly the “original social distancing instrument” I can still be the “piper in the distance”, and the sound will surely travel over the hills and safely into your event.

I know many out there have had to delay very important events (such as funerals and weddings) for a very long time, make numerous sacrifices, and I truly feel for you. The live music and entertainment industry was definitely not spared either, not to mention the first official quarantine in Portland took effect on St. Patrick’s Day 2020. Here’s to a giant leap towards a return to normalcy!

Fun fact: the photo above is the first I ever took when considering starting a piping business 19 YEARS AGO, folks. Photo location: mom’s backyard.

The Secret Wedding

Hidden deep in the Willamette Forest, a secret wedding took place. There were five total in attendance: a groom, bride, officiant, photographer, and a bagpiper. 

Processing to the tune "The Secret Wedding" (made famous from the scene in Braveheart) the bride made her way to her fiance, and the marriage was sealed.

The location and moment were made even more so indelible as only a few miles away a forest fire raged. I assume after we left it destroyed the very spot we stood.

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Moments before the ceremony. Photo credit Victoria Carlson.

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Photo credit Victoria Carlson

I've played many weddings, big and small, but this was a very intimate and enjoyable first serving as one of the witnesses (and even signing the marriage license)!

Congratulations to Malcolm and Cathy on a unique and fantastic wedding! Cheers and all the best!

St. Patrick's Day weekend schedule

I'm piping at a ton of bars and restaurants this Friday and Saturday- come celebrate the holiday with me and hear some live bagpipes!

Here's where and (roughly) when I'll be performing publicly:

Friday:

• 9:00 am - Renner's Bar & Grill
• Noon - Renner's
• 4:00 pm - Renner's
• 5:00 pm - McMenamins Crystal Ballroom
• 5:30 pm - McMenamins Bottle Shop
• 6:00 pm - McMenamins St. John's Theatre
• 6:30 pm - McMenamins White Eagle
• 7:00 pm - McMenamins Chapel Bar
• 7:30 pm - McMenamins Kennedy School
• 8:15 pm - McMenamins Edgefield
• 9:00 pm until late - Renner's

Saturday:

• 5:30 - McMenamins Kennedy School
• 6:30 to 7:30 - McMenamins Edgefield

McMenamins Halfway to St. Pat's Celebration

While most people don't celebrate the "halfway" point to holidays, McMenamins certainly does!

The well-known restaurant chain and I will be doing our best to give you one more excuse to drink this Saturday, September 17th. Here are the locations I'll be piping through:

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• Crystal Ballroom
• 23rd Avenue Bottle Shop
• St. John's
• White Eagle
• Chapel Pub
• Kennedy School (my old stomping ground)
• and last but certainly not least, Edgefield (my old, OLD stomping ground).
  
  There'll also be traditional Celtic music played throughout the day to tie you over until I get there. Come find me!