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Volunteer Appreciation: Celebrating Rory McEwen featuring Skerryvore, Iona Fyfe, John Ballantyne’s Crazyheart and more

Chicago Scots invite our dedicated volunteers to join us at the Old Town School of Folk Music to celebrate the life and legacy of Rory McEwen. Register below for your complimentary ticket!
A polymath at heart, a searcher, the work of Scotland’s Rory McEwen (1932-1982) reflects a sustained intensity of focus on the artistic pursuits that defined his life. Widely regarded as the 20th century’s greatest botanical artist, McEwen was also a celebrated folk musician who introduced American blues, jazz, and folk music to British audiences as host of the groundbreaking 1960’s TV show, Hullabaloo.
The night’s event is a companion show to the Driehaus Museum’s exhibition of McEwen’s incredible art Rory McEwen: A New Perspective on Nature. This unique concert will feature: Skerryvore (Scotland’s best live act), Iona Fyfe (Scots Folk Singer of the Year), and John Ballantyne’s Crazyheart (Chicago’s own Scottish-American honky-tonk band). Commentary and reflections from Rory’s family, Chicago artist Tony Fitzpatrick, and Professor Tony Jones CBE.
Celebrating Rory McEwen Partner Organizations:
Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods, Chicago Botanic Garden, Chicago Scots, Magnificent Mile Association, The Morton Arboretum, Old Town School of Folk Music, The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum.
Every year at our Scottish Festival & Highland Games, the Chicago Scots feature a family or an organization as our Honored Clan. This year, to recognize and celebrate its’ strong Scottish roots, our Honored Clan is Rotary International. We are proud to announce that Rotary International’s Scottish President, Gordon McInally has agreed to lead our Parade of Tartans at 12:30 p.m. Gordon will also receive the Salute to the Chieftain from the Massed Pipe Bands at approximately 6.30pm on Saturday, June 15, 2024.