Rampant Lion Pipe Band Holds Second Annual Spring Fundraiser

The Rampant Lion Pipe Band of Basking Ridge will hold its second annual spring fundraiser on March 20 this year.

The band is a local group of bagpipe performers who formed in 2007 "to bring Scottish bagpipe music and a military pipe band tradition to our region," according to a press release.

The fundraising event will be held at 6:30 p.m. at Snuffy's Pantagis Renaissance restaurant on 250 Park Avenue in Scotch Plains. Single ticket donation prices start at $85, which pays for a cocktail hour, followed by a formal dinner and an evening of entertainment by the QED Jazz ensemble, championship Highland Dancers, Scottish folk songs and a performance by the Rampant Lion Pipe Band.

The folk music will be sung by tenor Patrick Layton, mezzo-soprano Catharyn Layton and soprano Austyn Castelli. Pianist Alan Moore will accompany the three performers.

The fundraiser helps pay for the operating costs as well as training of the members of the band, according to Michelle Moravek, media relations for the band.

The group practices at the Veterans Administration Auditorium on the campus of the VA Lyons Hospital in Lyons every Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. Fundraising dollars are used to pay instructors and provide free training to members of the band.

Those interested in attending the fundraising event should contact Band Director Pipe Major David Palladino for tickets at (908) 285-1503.