Burns Night with a twist in New Galloway Town Hall

Wonky Burns Night event in New Galloway Town Hall. Pic credit: Lorraine Ishak
-Credit:Reach Publishing Services Limited


An alternative take on the classic Burns Night celebrations took place in New Galloway Town Hall on Saturday evening, as locals gathered for the much anticipated Wonky Burns Night.

In the aftermath of Storm Eowyn, initially it was unsure if the event would go ahead but with determination and resilience the Bodega Social crew forged ahead – and so did the revellers, turning this into a sell-out event.

Paying homage to Scotland’s national poet, the evening took a relaxed and lively approach, offering something a little different from the traditional haggis and recitations. As soon as the doors opened, the bar was buzzing with people eager to try the creative Burns-inspired cocktails, a quirky yet fitting twist on Scotland’s whisky traditions. Downstairs, the food offered a perfect complement to the drinks, also with a Scottish twist, but it didn’t take long for the queue to grow and you had to get in quick as it sold out fast.

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Ben Wild, one of the event organisers, said: “We had 165 ticket holders at the event plus our large and wonderful crew of volunteers who make it all happen. The theme of the food was Sichuanese, but with haggis, neeps ‘n’ tatties built in – so haggis gyoza, pickled neeps, etc. We’ll need to make more next time!”

Having a good time at the Wonky Burns Night event in New Galloway Town Hall. Pic credit: Lorraine Ishak
Having a good time at the Wonky Burns Night event in New Galloway Town Hall. Pic credit: Lorraine Ishak

Early on in the evening there was an informal traditional music ‘session’ circle, with fiddles, guitars, flute and drums. The relaxed, inclusive atmosphere set the tone for the evening ahead, with many stepping in and out of the circle, sharing their musical talents or simply enjoying the spontaneous performances.

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As the evening progressed, the atmosphere in the hall ramped up and the stage was set for Edinburgh-based folktronica band Yoko Pono. From the first note their infectious energy had everyone on their feet, and the opportunity to move between the main room and the lower hall downstairs meant that the dance floor stayed at just the right level of crowded. Downstairs in the lower hall, when the food was done, DJ sets offered a more relaxed vibe, with a chill-out area of couches and comfy chairs.

One of trademark features of Bodega Social events is their ability to transform town and village halls into cool club settings, and a number of revellers commented on the fact that the town hall was unrecognisable, with a themed bar in one corner and clever lighting and décor throughout both the upper and lower halls. This will be the fifth village hall event the group have hosted, with others including Laurieston, Kirkpatrick Durham and Moniaive, and last year they also had a venue at Eden Festival and they plan to again this year.

A key element to the evening was the wonderfully inclusive and inter-generational element that is so often seen at Galloway events. There were babies being gently rocked to sleep by dancing parents to children of all ages enjoying ice cream floats and having a boogie with parents and grandparents on the dance floor, and a refreshing number of local teenagers and young adults were also apparent, which was refreshing to see at a local event.

In many ways, Wonky Burns Night was a reminder that celebrations don’t always have to follow the script. By embracing the untraditional, it gave a nod to the bard while also creating an event that felt fresh, exciting, and very much of the moment.

Keep your eyes peeled for the next Bodega Social night – and if you’re going to be at Eden Festival, they will have their Bodega Lounge set up there again, so pop along.