Celtic Colours generates millions of dollars for Cape Breton economy in 2009

Celtic Colours International Festival had an amazing year in 2009. The Festival’s unique combination of culture, heritage, history and scenery, bolstered by new investment and marketing initiatives, found new audiences and increased visitorship to Cape Breton Island, resulting in a $5.5 million economic impact in 2009.

The impact of the festival goes well beyond visitor expenditures though. Celtic Colours put over $100,000 back into community venues in 2009 and another $45,000 was realized by the groups who hosted more than 290 community cultural activities. One hundred twenty-six non-profit organizations throughout the island partnered with Celtic Colours to get directly involved in the festival.

To read the full news article, click here.

For a sampling of what the Festival had to offer in 2009, visit http://www.youtube.com/user/celticcolours to see the newly launched 2009 highlight video. And stay tuned for information on Celtic Colours International Festival 2010, taking place October 8-16.

Young Victoria County fiddler releases first CD

Rachel Davis is a talented young fiddler from the Baddeck area of Victoria County on Cape Breton Island who released her first CD during this years Celtic Colours International Festival.  It was her third appearance at the festival.

She was the 2008 winner of the Frank “Big Sampie” Sampson Award given to an up-and-coming young Celtic talent to aid them in financing their first recording. This prize is sponsored, in part, by the Celtic Colours Festival Volunteer Driv’ers Association and their financial contribution is matched by studio time from Lakewind Studios. Rachel was the fourth winner, following in the footsteps of Dawn & Margie Beaton of Mabou, pianist Jason Roach of Cheticamp, and fiddler Colin Grant from Sydney.

Rachel has taken her great talent, her musical background and her ability to select good tunes to bring forth a great new recording. She’s not alone in her musical venture, getting solid backup from established musicians such as Buddy MacDonald on guitar and Tracey Dares-MacNeil on piano. She was also joined, at different times, by a number of special guests that included Joey Beaton, Brona Graham, Ciarán MacGillivray, Meagan Burke and Clarence Long.

Clarence is Rachel’s grandfather, known in the Baddeck area as both a fiddler and a barber. He was also her first fiddle teacher, helping her hone her initial skills and getting her well on her way with the music. Rachel is also quick to point out that he put up with a lot as she sat in the corner of his barber shop, scratching away as she learned new tunes, often taken from his vast collection of music books. As well as playing fiddle, Rachel studied Cape Breton stepdancing, Bodhran and Gaelic singing at the Gaelic College of Celtic Arts and Crafts.

While the majority of her recording is hard driving, close to the floor music, there are a couple of lovely exceptions. Rachel does a powerful and very moving rendition of J. Scott Skinner’s Hector The Hero. It’s never an easy tune for even the most experienced players, but she certainly does a masterful job on this lovely slow air.

Rachel also throws in a very interesting surprise when she sings a lovely Gaelic song, backed up by a number of family and friends. A student at Cape Breton University, she has been involved with the Celtic Studies courses since the beginning and received some great coaching from her instructor, Hector MacNeil. Singing is something that Rachel needs to do more of, as her vocal skills have been hidden behind her fiddle playing abilities for far too long.

Look for Rachel’s self-titled CD. Well worth getting, I think that it will be enjoyable for one and all.

Until next time,
Dan

Remember: if you have any information on upcoming events, or anything that you feel should be included on Celtic Heart Beat, please drop me a line at celticheartbeat1@gmail.com. Thanks!

Nova Scotia Tourism focuses on Celtic culture

Nova Scotia’s Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage just released its Tourism Plan for 2010 and it includes this note about Celtic culture:

Nova Scotia is home to one of the few living Gaelic cultures outside of Scotland, setting us apart from other North American destinations. The old world has been shaped by the new on Cape Breton Island where Gaelic language, music, song, and dance are part of the cultural fabric and key to its identity, as well as an important niche for Nova Scotia’s tourism industry.

The plan notes that the Department has partnered with the Celtic Heart of North America Co-operative to play a key role in delivering this cultural experience. Currently, the Celtic Heart of North America is a cooperative representing the Highland Village, Gaelic College of Celtic Arts and Crafts, Celtic Colours International Festival, Celtic Music Interpretive Centre, Glenora Distillery, Féis an Eilein, and the municipalities of Inverness and Victoria counties.

The Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage has highlighted Joanne MacIntyre, a Gaelic speaker and member of the interpretive team at the Highland Village Museum/An Clachan Gàidhealach, in their “Heroes” campaign. The video, produced in Gaelic with English subtitles, is a wonderful glimpse into the Celtic experience that Cape Breton offers. It is due to be released in the coming months.

The Tourism Plan also notes the following:

Value and experience are key
The focus on top-notch experiences is more important than ever. In this competitive environment, industry members must work together to creatively package experiences and develop value-added offers that will appeal to visitors.

The Celtic Heart of North America Co-operative is exactly that – industry members coming together – and we plan to creatively package our experience. We’ll have more to announce on that in the future, so please stay tuned!

Busy times ahead in Cape Breton!

There are busy times ahead between now and Christmas with Celtic cultural activities in Cape Breton. Here are a number of examples:

The root of the culture is the Gaelic language, so learning Gaelic will provide insight into the entire culture. There are Gaelic classes, taught by A. J. MacDougall, taking place every Wednesday in several locations. At 1 PM, classes take place at the KOC Club in Port Hawkesbury, and then again at 7 PM at the Celtic Music Interpretive Centre in Judique. There is usually a Gaelic Mass that takes place that evening as well, at St. Andrews Church, just across the road from the Centre.

All are invited to an Information Session on the Office of Gaelic Affairs Gaelic Language in Community Program, taking place this Thursday at 7 PM at the Knox Presbyterian Hall in Baddeck. This is just one of a series of sessions being held across the province, providing information and an opportunity to discuss the program.

Don’t forget the regular Thursday evening music sessions that happen at Rollie’s Wharf in North Sydney and at the Celtic Music Interpretive Centre in Judique. You can bring your instruments and join in or just sit and enjoy.

An Comunn Gàidhlig Cheap Breatuinn is presenting “Cofaidh ‘is Cabadaich,” a Gaelic conversation circle hosted by two fluent Gaelic speakers. It is held on Saturday afternoons, from 1-3, at the Sydney River Superstore. There are two sessions still remaining in the series, December 5 and 12. The cost is just $5/session.

This Friday afternoon from 4 to 6, CBC Radio will be broadcasting from the Lyceum Building in Sydney. It’s the official launch of the new CD of the songs and music of Lauchie Gillis. Gaelic Songs From The Mira is an extensive re-issue of many of Lauchie’s early recordings. The proceeds from the sale of the CDs will go to the Lauchie Gillis Memorial Scholarship Fund at Cape Breton University.

And on Friday evening it’s the official opening of the newly renovated Community Hall in Creignish with music by Troy MacGillivray, Andrea Beaton, Cheryl Smith and Jimmie Inch.

The regular Saturday afternoon music session continues at Chéticamp’s Doryman’s Tavern, starting at 2 PM. If you are in the Sydney area, there are now two sessions to choose from: at Governor’s Celtic Pub, (formally Bunker’s), on The Esplanade in Sydney, with Carl MacKenzie and Pat Chafe and at Daniel’s on Charlotte Street where this week’s session features Celtic Infusion.

This Saturday night it’s Howie MacDonald and friends playing for a square dance at the Westmount Legion. And, of course, the regular square dance is being held in West Mabou as well.

The annual Christmas Fair at the Gaelic College takes place at the College in St. Ann’s throughout the day on December 5. Events include a sale at the Gaelic College Craft Shop and other activities.

The Sunday music session at the Celtic Music Interpretive Centre in Judique on December 6 features Andrea Beaton. That same night, Strathspey Place in Mabou hosts a Step Dance Recital, featuring Mary Janet MacDonald’s students.

First United Church in Sydney hosts the Joyful Sounds of Christmas on December 6 featuring fiddler Colin Grant, Kelly MacArthur Dancers, Don Crouse, the Cape Breton Chordsmen and a children’s choir. The MC is Wendy Bergfeldt, host of CBC’s Mainstreet.

On December 13, St. Joseph’s Church Hall in Glencoe Mills hosts an evening of Pastoral Airs beginning at 7:30. Guests include Kinnon and Betty Lou Beaton, Kelly MacLennan and Girls, Maggie Beaton, Sandy Gillis, K.C Beaton and more.

Lyrics & Laughter are performing four Christmas shows at the Louisbourg Playhouse starting December 17.

It’s getting to be a very busy time of year. Make sure to take in some of the Celtic cultural events!

Until next time,

Dan

Remember: if you have any information on upcoming events, or anything that you feel should be included on Celtic Heart Beat, please drop me a line at celticheartbeat1@gmail.com. Thanks!!

Cape Breton musicians still on the move

Concerts at the Captain's House are a monthly series of house concerts hosted by Meg & Dan Sullivan in Agawam, MA featuring talented Celtic and folk performers. On November 21 the musicians will be Andrea Beaton, Hilda Chiasson-Cormier and Remi Arsenault and there are still a few tickets left. You can email Meg at for more information.

Until next time,
Dan

What's coming up?

So, what's coming up?

Don't forget the music sessions at Rollie's Wharf in North Sydney every Thursday evening. It's open to all ages up to 9pm. Bring your fiddle and join in.

There's a music session at Chéticamp's Doryman Tavern every Saturday afternoon from 2 to 6 and a square dance at the West Mabou Hall every Saturday night.

This weekend is the Gaelic Family Weekend at the Gaelic College in St. Ann's.

On Sunday afternoon Judique host two events: the Highland Guitar Society meets at the Community Centre at 2 while Carl MacKenzie & Pat Chafe are at Celtic Music Interpretive Centre (just next door) starting at 3.

Off island there's an All Ages Dance (Cape Breton Sets) with all sets called and instructed, Saturday, November 14, to 7 to 10 p.m. at The Halifax Military Community Centre off Connolly Street, Halifax (in the Windsor Park Complex). Music is by Kinnon and Betty Lou Beaton.

And you can find Cape Breton Dances in the Boston area as well, taking place at The Canadian American Club in Watertown, MA. On November 14 it's Andrea Beaton, Hilda Chiasson-Cormier, and Remi Arsenault, while on December 12 you can enjoy Kimberley Fraser and Janine Randall. All dances from 8:00pm - 11:45pm.

The MacKenzie Project, fronted by Baddeck fiddler Rosie MacKenize, is touring the Maritimes this month, in conjunction with Newfoundland's Ennis. On Friday night they play the Decoste Centre in Pictou, on Saturday they are at The Savoy in Glace Bay and Strathspey Place in Mabou on Sunday. They play The Carlton in Halifax on the 10th, St. FX U. in Antigonish the following night, The Playhouse in Fredericton, NB on the 13th, Harbourfront Jubilee Theatre in Summerside, PE on the 14th and the Kings Theatre in Annapolis Royal on the 15th.

Until next time,
Dan

Andrea Beaton Branches out

Andrea Beaton's newest release, Branches, was officially released last weekend in Judique. I had received it a month or so ago and liked it right from the start.

But what's not to like? She is currently one of the hottest fiddlers on the market, much in demand for dances and concerts, festivals and workshops, both home and away. Her touring schedule takes her to venues in the United States and elsewhere in Canada on a regular basis. She has also played and taught overseas as well, and is a particular favourite on the local scene all year around.

Andrea has a drive and lift to her music that is hard to match, and her timing for dancing is superb. As you might expect, Branches comes out of the starting gate with a bang, leading off with King Arthur's Reel. It's one of two dozen of her compositions spread across fifteen cuts and more then an hour of music.

You expect her usual vim and energy, and you're not disappointed. She works her way through some powerful combinations, adding something slow and easy from time to time, just to make sure we don't take her for granted. One particularly beautiful cut is a lovely waltz she wrote for her sister's wedding called Allison and Craig's Big Day.

One cut is a particularly big surprise. It's the vocal rendition of Hector, a dark and brooding song done to the tune of Hector the Hero with the newest words by Prince Edward Island singer / songwriter Patricia Murray. Andrea's vocal work is excellent, a high point on the CD for me. She claims that she is far too shy to sing in public but this is something that she should do more of in the future.

Old tune, new tunes, it doesn't seem to matter, you are also getting creative arrangements helped along by wonderful backup from pianist Tracey Dares, with Rémi Arsenault on guitar and Jamie Gatti adding bass on one cut. All in all, Branches is a wonderful CD, something to look for and something to enjoy when you get your hands on it.

Until next time,
Dan