On Tuesday the 22nd, we had another great ceilidh with Shelly Campbell and Allan Dewar who were joined on some numbers by Chris who played bodhran, the Irish frame drum. Rachel Davis, a local fiddler, played some for us while Shelly step danced.
Some visitors who had been at the Highland Village recommended it, and said they saw a video that included a fiddle number called the "Gael", as played, they thought, by Dougie MacLean.
Look for a tune in this coming week's Victoria Standard which makes mention of our ceilidh. Paul Cranford, who's site can be seen here, includes original compositions regularly, and this week's will be from one the the Ceilidh's own, Jennifer Bowman.
She was at the Ceilidh with Marion Dewar Wednesday the 23rd. We at the ceilidh consider it lucky that she has come to stay in Nova Scotia from Kansas, and plays the Cape Breton style. Jennifer and Marion were joined by quite a goodly collection of volunteers from the audience. Robin Hazeslip of Independence, Missouri, danced an Irish reel for us. Burton MacIntyre, who "lives 30 minutes from every dance in Cape Breton" and attends most of them, danced a solo despite his recent knee surgery. In a beautiful, strong voice, Jennifer's mother, Judy Collins, visiting from Kansas, sang My God is Real. 9 year old Kate played Heart and Soul for us on the piano, first solo, then as a duet with Jennifer. John of Belleville, Ontario came up for a rendition of Chariots of Fire.
Thursday the 24th Melody and Derrick Cameron were joined by Melody's sister, Kelly. Melody and Kelly have danced together for years, renowned locally as the Warner Sisters. They are known for their interesting steps, tight unison, and clean execution. Kelly's children Mikayla, Sachelle and Stephen were in attendance and you can see more of them at the Broad Cove concert on Sunday. We had fiddle tunes from Jane Young from Ontario and heard some Cajun fiddle style by Tom Norman from Lafayette, Louisiana.
Always surprises, always treats awaiting at St. Michael's parish hall upon a summer's eve.
See you at the ceilidh!
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