The U.S. National Mòd opens 10 am, Saturday, Nov. 11, with competitions in poetry, storytelling and song. The online event will run until 6 pm on Saturday, followed by workshops on Sunday, Nov. 12.

“We’re very excited to launch our fourth online US National Mòd, which is our 34th mòd since 1988,” said Liam Ó Caiside, president of An Comunn Gàidhealach Ameireaganach (ACGA) and chair of the Mòd Committee.

“Our event tops a full year of mòd activity in the US, starting with the New York City Tartan Week Mòd in April, the North Carolina Mòd at Grandfather Mountain in July and Mòd Chesapeake in Maryland in August,” he said. “Interest in Scottish Gaelic and in Gaelic language arts, especially song, poetry and storytelling, is surging in the US.”

The schedule of events:

DiSathairne, 11mh an t-Samhain / Saturday, November 11

10 am-12 pm EST: Bàrdachd, Sgeulachd & Leughadh / Poetry, Storytelling & Sight-reading. Starting at 10 am Eastern, we will launch our first series of competitions celebrating the Scottish Gaelic language arts. We’ll begin with Poetry Recitation, followed by Storytelling, and Sight-reading.

12 pm – 2 pm EST: Briseadh / Break

2 pm-4 pm EST: Song competitions: Beginner’s Song and General Song. See the attached list for the order of the competitions and competitors.

4 pm-6 pm EST: Mòd Cèilidh: Join us for (non-competitive) singing and conversation as we share songs and memories.

Didomhnaich, 12mh an t-Samhain / Sunday, Nov. 12

• 10 am-12 pm EST: Workshops with Kerrie and Lyle Kennedy of Oban, Scotland.

Competitions are now closed (as of Nov. 11), but those interested may still register to attend the workshops on Sunday, led by our adjudicators, Lyle Kennedy and Kerrie Kennedy.

In two workshops from 10 am to 12 pm (EST), Lyle and Kerrie will cover the Songs of Argyll and Gaelic Choral Singing. You may register here for $25. Please contact Liam Ó Caiside if you do register via e-mail.