One of the city’s central parks will host the annual St. Andrew’s Society Stramash this weekend, with food, fun and music.
If you look up at the sky, you may notice something different — a large, yellow thing believed to be the sun, which is expected to remain above us all weekend.
And where better to spend the last and possibly only rain-free weekend in August than at the St. Andrew’s Society Stramash in the middle of a central Moscow park.
This society’s annual party taking place Saturday is, despite the name — a Scottish word that roughly means “state of disturbance and confusion” — a family affair, with lots of food, drink and local music groups playing.
A ticket to the event will buy you a daylong supply of barbecue meat and salads provided by the Spanish-Mexican restaurant Navaros as well as wine, beer, Grouse Whisky and soft drinks, such as the inimitable and very Scottish, Irn-Bru.
“People often come because they know that the food is going to be really good,” said Esther Daniels, one of the event’s organizers.
Five local and expat bands will play everything from jazz to rock ‘n’ roll at the event.
The St. Andrew’s Society of Russia was founded in 1993 by a group of Scottish expats in Moscow.
The society now organizes three charity events each year: the Stramash, a St. Andrew’s Ball on Dec. 5 and a Robert Burns supper in January.
All profits made at the Stramash will be combined with the money made at the ball and the Burns supper and will be split between local charities.
This year’s event has taken more work than usual to put together, Daniels said.
“Due to the credit crunch, marketing budgets are low, which makes it harder to find sponsors. But the party won’t be any less fun,” Daniels said. “It’ll be what I like to call ‘Stramash Light’ this year.’”
Bands performing this Saturday include Mail Order Bride, Runaway, Dr. Nick, Red River Trails and Babette.
If the worst happens and the sun does go away, the Stramash will have marquee tents on hand for guests.
The Stramash will take place in Krasnaya Presnya Park on Aug. 29, 3 to 9 p.m. Tickets cost 1,500 rubles.
Tickets will not be sold at the door, but you can still get a ticket Friday at Costa Coffee on 5 Pushkin Square, 650-6181, from 7 to 9 p.m. You can also reserve a ticket with 8-905-712-6540 or [email protected] and collect at the door. For more information go to Scottishmoscow.org.
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