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Ingleside

Written by Adrian Walter Monday, 19 December 2011 23:05

Recently "Tartanic" added an unexpected little adventure to their tour schedule, We traveled south to Ingleside Texas. Having been a resident of Corpus Christi Texas for twelve years, Jill Jack decided to visit the south once again and drag "Tartanic" with her. As luck would have it, the "Ingleside Renaissance Festival" was in need of a musical act and the call of the beach was in our hearts. The weather was not the best, but much fun was had by all who attended. As There is often in these situations where cold and wet conditions test the fingers and toes of us all, unusual things tend to happen. Well, unusual things tend to happen when "Tartanic" arrives in any weather. Guest perfomer Jim Hooke came along to play bodhran, Scott Mc leod gave us a grand show on pipes and of pipes, Adrian Walter was beating on everything he could get his hands on, Jill A Jack danced around to stay warm, and John E Jaan (also previous resident of Corpus) took care of the rest.

New friends were made, old friends were seen, and many drinks were used for warmth. Our sound techs were amazing, the best we have ever had."Tartanic" was asked to judge the costume contest which included a small horse, and a lovely gypsy with an eye for the John E Jaan. The "Texas Gypsys" were kind enough to allow us to share their shelter to avoid the weather and shared our stage. We are thankful to them for that. "Incatation belly dance" and the "Texas Gypsys" both joined us in our performances to keep us all moving and warm. They are all such beautiful dancers. At the end of the day "Tartanic" retired to the "Studio Six" Hotel in Ingleside to warm up and sleep like babes. Thank you "St"udio Six". Our #one fan "The Drewster drove down from Dallas to see us perform and stayed with us at the Studio Six."On Saturday night we all watched the horror movie called "the DARQ" in which stars the son of both Adrian and Jill, Fisher Scott.

On Sunday things continued to get crazy and as often happens in Texas and with "Tartanic", bets get made and challenges are thrown out. One such challenge caused the ever present mechanical bull to be considered as a form of entertainment. Hhhmmmmm... Men in kilts and mechanical bulls....Hhhmmmm. Well of course Adrian is going to ride the bull. How could anyone even doubt it. Then of course Scotty decided to climb the climbing wall in his Kilt. John realized that the bar must be raised and asked all present if any would race Scotty up the wall? Well it was so cold and wet anyway, Why not thought Jill. The race was on... only problem, Jill was wearing too many clothes, but not for long. A rapid stip tease was in order as the race of Bloomers vs Kilt was engaged. The Winner suprisingly was Jill A Jack. Girl in Bloomers beats former Marine wearing kilt up climbing wall. "Ingleside Renaissance Festival" we whole heartedly thank you.

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St. Patrick's Day in Phoenix

Written by Adrian Walter Monday, 14 March 2011 22:44

March 17, 2011--St. Patrick's Day in Phoenix, AZ--Tartanic will be at O'Connor's Pub somewhere between 12noon-4pm (www.oconnorspub.com); Seamus McCaffrey's between 5pm-8pm, http://www.seamusmccaffreys.com/, and The Turf (owned by the McCaffrey clan) from 10pm-1amhttp://www.theturfpub.com/. COME ROCK YOUR SHAMROCKS OFF!

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The Show Must Go On

Written by Adrian Walter Tuesday, 01 February 2011 04:23

Though many may not be aware of the history of Tartanic, it is not nearly what one would think. Many consider the definition of Tartanic to be a band with Bagpipes and Drums. That is partially and at rare times minutely true. In reality, as well as historically, Tartanic has been a performance/specialty act that has encompassed many talents musicians over the years as well as many talented actors, dancers, fire-spinners, mimes, one midget and occasionally some comedy with whipped cream (sometimes literally) on top. In truth it all began with a Scottish dance troupe that hired a piper.

Return of the Missing doublet: The Sequel

Written by Adrian Walter Tuesday, 01 February 2011 04:05

As amazing as life can be, there is sometimes an act of kindness that renews your faith in humanity that must be shared with the world.

Spending ten months of each year on the road and away from home to bring Tartanic to all those who love us is a challenge. Often the road becomes too difficult for some and they must return home. Change is always difficult, but every change that we have had has lead to newer and more improved shows and music for all. Members of Tartanic may change due to real life and personal circumstances, but we continue to evolve and grow with our show because we love our world family and making them happy. Sharing music and good humor with the world has been the most rewarding way that we have been able to share with you. Thank you all.

Virtuosos virtually vanishing

Written by Adrian Walter Monday, 28 December 2009 17:25

Music, by nature, changes.

As do people, generations and taste. However, I am still trying to decide if I am aging (which I most certainly am a victim of the inevitable as we all are), and thus becoming “crotchety”… a guy who is more akin to yell “Hey, you kids get outta my yard!” than to listen to current Billboard Top 40 Hits.

Let me tell you now, that I keep up. I am an NPR junkie who listens to Rice University radio as well as our local Pacifica station, and Houston’s 97.5 KTBZ (alternative), 97.9 KTBX (rap, R&B) and 104.1 KRBE (Top 40). As a result, what I have seen and heard since 1990 is a virtual lack of virtuosity in music.

Case of the stolen doublet

Written by Adrian Walter Tuesday, 22 December 2009 09:07

At the Texas Renaissance Festival Tartanic has enjoyed a seven year history. With the beginnings of the Rogues, who created a monster audience for Great Highland Bagpipes and drums, to the 34,900 people in attendance on Saturday, November 14th, 2009.

Tickets cost $20 at the gate, and believe me the food and drink prices are no different than a movie theatre… but you have a 60 acre screen full of show. Now, this can be overwhelming for some.

One would think, in a 35 year history of fantasy, fun, bosoms, beer and beefcakes there would be more trouble and newspapers would have a new story every week about the drunk redneck that. . . .well, whatever. Point is, it’s a pretty respectable place.

So what place does that put the average ticket-buyer in? For just a measly entrance fee, you are regaled with another world—a retro-neo-renaissance of knights and armour, feasts of food, maidens and villains, royals and peasants, on top of 400 independent shops and 22 stages of endless entertainment. All this is the ticket-buyers playground, and while dark corners of pubs may offer something off-the-menu, a stage act is another story. Especially if one is sitting in the audience.

On October 24, 2009 an audience member in the center section, 4th row, 5’5” brunette with shoulder length wavy hair, mid-thirties, and medium build caught my doublet (jacket) as I threw it into the audience for our “Clothing Optional” Show.

The woman in question stole it. My doublet was not a gift. What, in a $20 ticket price permits one to commit larceny? In seven years, my clothing has been returned or playfully ransomed (for a kiss, perhaps?). Never has it been met with a mindset that must think:

--“Ah, a one-of-a-kind handmade costume piece! I am sure this is part of the show! I caught the foul ball! He must spend a lot of money having these made so he can throw away 16 of them at the Texas Renaissance Festival.”

This is not baseball, honey. It is environmental theatre with bad-ass music. I am so glad we sell a good time, and I want everyone to have one (within reason).

In Arizona, April of 2006, a woman in the front row was hell bent on lifting my kilt while I, standing on a doumbek and further elevated 3’ off the ground by the stage, gathered my kilt about me to prevent it. She changed tactics, grabbed on, and let her knees go out from underneath her, resulting in a 4” tear in a 1965 Vintage Ancient Hunting Stuart Kilt.

While Tartanic presents a rock-star anachronism at a renaissance festival, the above is still behavior that would call out the bouncers.

I can admit a personal “I got what was coming,” with the incident this past October. I did break the fourth wall and threw my clothing out into the audience. Strippers do not get their garters back—brides either, for that matter.

All the hours spent on the making of that doublet are not the thing to me. Nor is it that my wife made it for me. Nor is it even that it was a remake of a custom design from 1994. It just does not seem right to me that one would walk away, not meet the band, not tip at the show, not even buy a CD, but take the spoils and run.

If anyone has any information leading up to the location of my doublet, attached is a photo, please email me direct at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Tickets cost $20 at the gate, and believe me the food and drink prices are no different than a movie theatre… but you have a 60 acre screen full of show. Now, this can be overwhelming for some.