Thursday August 28, Melody & Derrick brought along two French ladies from Quebec. One sang and played guitar. Connie played dulcimer and was joined by John on piano for St. Anne's Reel.
This same John from Virginia was back Friday the 29th to see Mike Hall and Jennifer Bowman. He obliged us to play a bit more, and he did a set of reels with Jennifer, Flowers of Edinburgh and Cooley's, and then Si Beag Si Mor, a waltz by Turlough O'Carolan. John organizes an O'Carolan festival in Virginia and plays for a contra dance band.
We also got to hear from a young performer from British Columbia. 8 year old Kye, with her bright eyes and tiny fiddle took the mic with confidence. She played the TamLin reel and St. Anne's with Jennifer's accompaniment. Keep up the good work, Dear!
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Bulgaria and Iran ceilidh too!
Friday the 22nd, Jennifer Bowman and Mike Hall had the stage. Some audience participation this night included Christy-Anna Iotzova, of Bulgaria, and Mae MacDonald, visiting together from Hamilton, Ontario. While Mae is originally from Harbour View, Nova Scotia, this is Christy-Anna's first visit. Christy-Anna discovered Cape Breton music just two years ago after she joined the Hamilton Fiddle Club. Although she was classically trained in Bulgaria, she now feels that Cape Breton music is her number one priority!
We know the feeling, Christy-Anna! It is contagious.
Christy-Anna and Mae got up and played a set of jigs as twin fiddles and then Mae accompanied her friend on piano. Afterwards, she also accompanied Mike while Jennifer step danced.
Another visitor from Australia commented, "You can feel the music in you even while you're sitting. It's remarkable."
We received a special treat in our email a couple days ago which we are happy to feature here on the blog. One of our patrons was taking pictures and sent us this one of his wife with Mike and Jennifer. It was a great night. Glad you enjoyed it!
We know the feeling, Christy-Anna! It is contagious.
Christy-Anna and Mae got up and played a set of jigs as twin fiddles and then Mae accompanied her friend on piano. Afterwards, she also accompanied Mike while Jennifer step danced.
Another visitor from Australia commented, "You can feel the music in you even while you're sitting. It's remarkable."
We received a special treat in our email a couple days ago which we are happy to feature here on the blog. One of our patrons was taking pictures and sent us this one of his wife with Mike and Jennifer. It was a great night. Glad you enjoyed it!
Wednesday 27th, Lisa from North Carolina sang the Ballad of John Riley and Susan from New York sang Someone to Watch Over Me. What talent in the crowd! These moments would have been lost in another format where no opportunity is given for audience participation! These things are what make the ceilidh what it is.
Our regards, Ladies, and many thanks for sharing your voices with us.
See you at the ceilidh!
Thursday, August 21, 2008
a Taste of Gaelic
Saturday the 17th, what a dancing crowd we had! While Stan Chapman and Loretta MacDougall supplied the jigs and reels, ready feet in the crowd kept coming up for a Baddeck Gathering record of three square sets danced in an evening! You must have been crankin'em out, Stan!
Sunday, Buddy and Rachel were joined by Joe Peter MacLean and Kristin Shaw, a young player from Margaree. Joe Peter is a traditional player who also brings fluency in Gaelic, his first language, to his music. This is special and rare today, unfortunately. Joe Peter can regularly be seen at Rollie's Thursday session in North Sydney.
Tuesday the 19th, we can't help but mention how Shelley and Allan drove'er! Great playing, guys! Shelley hails from West Bay Road, and spent a lot of time playing with Alex Francis MacKay, another native-Gaelic speaking fiddle player, and one of the last who is still believed to ''have the Gaelic in his music.'' This old flavor, repertoire and unhurried timing seeped into Shelley's approach and beautifully colors the music she makes today.
Wednesday the 20th, what diversity of visitors again! We met and danced with people from Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, England: remarkable! While Marion Dewar kept everything rolling and grounded at the piano, Anita MacDonald danced another beautiful, spontaneous solo for us, and Jennifer Bowman danced to Anita's solid fiddle playing.
See you at the ceilidh!
Sunday, Buddy and Rachel were joined by Joe Peter MacLean and Kristin Shaw, a young player from Margaree. Joe Peter is a traditional player who also brings fluency in Gaelic, his first language, to his music. This is special and rare today, unfortunately. Joe Peter can regularly be seen at Rollie's Thursday session in North Sydney.
Tuesday the 19th, we can't help but mention how Shelley and Allan drove'er! Great playing, guys! Shelley hails from West Bay Road, and spent a lot of time playing with Alex Francis MacKay, another native-Gaelic speaking fiddle player, and one of the last who is still believed to ''have the Gaelic in his music.'' This old flavor, repertoire and unhurried timing seeped into Shelley's approach and beautifully colors the music she makes today.
Wednesday the 20th, what diversity of visitors again! We met and danced with people from Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, England: remarkable! While Marion Dewar kept everything rolling and grounded at the piano, Anita MacDonald danced another beautiful, spontaneous solo for us, and Jennifer Bowman danced to Anita's solid fiddle playing.
See you at the ceilidh!
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
From St. John & Kansas City to Baddeck
Mike Hall and Jennifer Bowman set the audience feet tapping again in another rousing Monday night ceilidh.
Hailing from St. John, New Brunswick, Mike Hall has become a sought-after performer in Cape Breton music, even among connoisseurs of the music. He has captured a Margaree/Cheticamp flavor, which is quite distinctive to hear in the younger generation these days. His drive and solid rhythms send your feet to dance floor and exhilarate the ears. Mike expects to be working on a debut cd this fall, so we will look forward to its release in Spring 2009.
Visitors on the 18th included individuals from the length and breadth of North America, as well as Iran and Australia! One woman so enjoyed the ceilidh, with beaming smile she declared, "I was simply in heaven!"
Is this why Cape Breton is often referred to as God's Country?
See you at the ceilidh!
Hailing from St. John, New Brunswick, Mike Hall has become a sought-after performer in Cape Breton music, even among connoisseurs of the music. He has captured a Margaree/Cheticamp flavor, which is quite distinctive to hear in the younger generation these days. His drive and solid rhythms send your feet to dance floor and exhilarate the ears. Mike expects to be working on a debut cd this fall, so we will look forward to its release in Spring 2009.
Visitors on the 18th included individuals from the length and breadth of North America, as well as Iran and Australia! One woman so enjoyed the ceilidh, with beaming smile she declared, "I was simply in heaven!"
Is this why Cape Breton is often referred to as God's Country?
See you at the ceilidh!
Thursday, August 14, 2008
From the four corners they come
to hear our music and learn of the history and culture. What an honor to be an representative of this rich heritage to so many people, themselves representing so many lands and cultures.
In the last week alone we've had visitors from South Africa, China, New Caledonia (an island in the South Pacific), England, France, Switzerland and others. Remarkable!
Tuesday the 12th Shelley Campbell and Andrea Beaton shared the stage. Stan Chapman of Antigonish visited and shared some tunes, and to our surprise, a fiddler from Ireland, Liz Doherty landed in. It is not hard to look forward to something new every night!
Wednesday, while Jennifer Bowman and Marion Dewar supplied the tunes, we had a special step dancing guest: Harvey MacKinnon, of Whycocomagh. Harvey recently celebrated his 73rd birthday and can dance rings around many half his age. He has been highly respected as one of the island's best since his youth, and rightfully so. His accurate and smoothly executed steps are a pleasure to watch. Another volunteer from the audience was a lady from Ontario, who joined in on a set of reels with her spoons.
We heard from the Walkers who had nothing but praise for the Chanterelle Inn in North River. This is their 4th season to stay there. They love it. The food is all locally grown and prepared. Excellent! What better to compliment good music than good food?
Thursday, we welcomed Andrea Beaton back, this time with Jennifer Bowman. They switched back and forth from fiddle to piano seamlessly. Andrea was excited to debut her new tune book. Congrats, Andrea! It looks great! The new tune book, as well as all of Andrea's cds and more bio info are all available at her site. Just click on her name!
See you at the ceilidh!
In the last week alone we've had visitors from South Africa, China, New Caledonia (an island in the South Pacific), England, France, Switzerland and others. Remarkable!
Tuesday the 12th Shelley Campbell and Andrea Beaton shared the stage. Stan Chapman of Antigonish visited and shared some tunes, and to our surprise, a fiddler from Ireland, Liz Doherty landed in. It is not hard to look forward to something new every night!
Wednesday, while Jennifer Bowman and Marion Dewar supplied the tunes, we had a special step dancing guest: Harvey MacKinnon, of Whycocomagh. Harvey recently celebrated his 73rd birthday and can dance rings around many half his age. He has been highly respected as one of the island's best since his youth, and rightfully so. His accurate and smoothly executed steps are a pleasure to watch. Another volunteer from the audience was a lady from Ontario, who joined in on a set of reels with her spoons.
We heard from the Walkers who had nothing but praise for the Chanterelle Inn in North River. This is their 4th season to stay there. They love it. The food is all locally grown and prepared. Excellent! What better to compliment good music than good food?
Thursday, we welcomed Andrea Beaton back, this time with Jennifer Bowman. They switched back and forth from fiddle to piano seamlessly. Andrea was excited to debut her new tune book. Congrats, Andrea! It looks great! The new tune book, as well as all of Andrea's cds and more bio info are all available at her site. Just click on her name!
See you at the ceilidh!
Friday, August 8, 2008
When it rains in Cape Breton, it pours fiddlers!
On Shelly's Tuesday night, a young fiddler named Megan Samm from Lawrencetown played. She is only 9 years old and takes fiddle lessons in the Halifax area. Keep up the good work, Megan!
Wednesday we had a plethora of visitors taking the stage! Our own Anita MacDonald treated the crowd to her weightless footwork again, as she is so able to do.
Getting things rolling after the break was a group of young fiddlers and Irish Dancers from New Brunswick who are travelling throughout Cape Breton. They toured the island doing several performances and participated in dance and fiddle workshops. They are part of a musical troupe called the Celtic Discovery Performing Troupe, consisting of 12 members ranging from ages 11-16 years old. They performed 3 fiddle medleys for us as well as Irish soft and hard shoe routines.
While they were around they made the most of their time, including performances at Chestico Days, Port Hood, the Bras d'Or Lakes Inn in St. Peter's, Strathspey Place, the Barn at the Normaway Inn, and finally The Lobster Kettle, in Louisbourg.
Then a visitor from Wales who has become a regular attendee at our ceilidhs: Robert Woodley. He has attended the Gaelic College, and shared a set of tunes on his accordion as well as a song, accompanying himself on guitar. We are sure to see you again, Robert! Cheers!
After we thought the dust had cleared from the traffic at the door (what a crowd we had! standing room only!), yet another musician came in, this time a young man from Montreal, Jacques, fiddle case thrown over his back. Well, we couldn't let him leave without a tune as well! He gracefully obliged and shared a set of Quebecois reels that set every one's feet a'tapping as well as a traditional Cape Breton set of strathspey and reels.
What does the next hold? Nobody knows- you have to come see for yourself!
See you at the ceilidh!
Wednesday we had a plethora of visitors taking the stage! Our own Anita MacDonald treated the crowd to her weightless footwork again, as she is so able to do.
Getting things rolling after the break was a group of young fiddlers and Irish Dancers from New Brunswick who are travelling throughout Cape Breton. They toured the island doing several performances and participated in dance and fiddle workshops. They are part of a musical troupe called the Celtic Discovery Performing Troupe, consisting of 12 members ranging from ages 11-16 years old. They performed 3 fiddle medleys for us as well as Irish soft and hard shoe routines.
While they were around they made the most of their time, including performances at Chestico Days, Port Hood, the Bras d'Or Lakes Inn in St. Peter's, Strathspey Place, the Barn at the Normaway Inn, and finally The Lobster Kettle, in Louisbourg.
Then a visitor from Wales who has become a regular attendee at our ceilidhs: Robert Woodley. He has attended the Gaelic College, and shared a set of tunes on his accordion as well as a song, accompanying himself on guitar. We are sure to see you again, Robert! Cheers!
After we thought the dust had cleared from the traffic at the door (what a crowd we had! standing room only!), yet another musician came in, this time a young man from Montreal, Jacques, fiddle case thrown over his back. Well, we couldn't let him leave without a tune as well! He gracefully obliged and shared a set of Quebecois reels that set every one's feet a'tapping as well as a traditional Cape Breton set of strathspey and reels.
What does the next hold? Nobody knows- you have to come see for yourself!
See you at the ceilidh!
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Highland fling, whistle and sing!
Friday night Robbie and Isaac Fraser, brothers from Inverness county, entertained a large crowd. It is always great to have such a good crowd! The Frasers have 2 great traditional cds to their credit, the newest of which is available for sale any night at the Ceilidh.
Saturday a young girl from Ontario did the Highland fling to the music of Carl MacKenzie and Doug MacPhee. Carl and Doug are two living legends in their own rite and we are privileged to have them share their wealth of musical history and expertise with us. Both of them have done a lot of recording as well, so if you enjoyed this ceilidh, you can easily find much more of them!
Sunday we had another packed house, and everyone enjoyed Rachel Davis and Buddy Mac Donald. They wowed the crowd with their tunes, songs, and antics. Buddy is a seasoned performer who has entertained crowds far and wide with a natural wit and ability to tell a story with his songs. Rachel, while still a young lady, is gaining such experience, especially after her recent trip to Scotland with the Fiddler's Association.
Mike Hall and Jennifer Bowman resumed their Monday night slot as of last night, August 4th. A couple of the audience volunteers included a harmonica player from West Virginia who did a duet with Jennifer, and a tin whistle player from Conamara, in the west of Ireland. Richard is a native Irish speaker from the Gaeltacht (Irish speaking area) and played an air, Sé fath mo Bhuartha, followed by a couple marches on his whistle. He is visiting Cape Breton to attend the Gaelic College and learn some of our Scots Gaelic.
Go raibh maith agat, a Richard! Tar ar ais arís!
See you at the ceilidh!
Saturday a young girl from Ontario did the Highland fling to the music of Carl MacKenzie and Doug MacPhee. Carl and Doug are two living legends in their own rite and we are privileged to have them share their wealth of musical history and expertise with us. Both of them have done a lot of recording as well, so if you enjoyed this ceilidh, you can easily find much more of them!
Sunday we had another packed house, and everyone enjoyed Rachel Davis and Buddy Mac Donald. They wowed the crowd with their tunes, songs, and antics. Buddy is a seasoned performer who has entertained crowds far and wide with a natural wit and ability to tell a story with his songs. Rachel, while still a young lady, is gaining such experience, especially after her recent trip to Scotland with the Fiddler's Association.
Mike Hall and Jennifer Bowman resumed their Monday night slot as of last night, August 4th. A couple of the audience volunteers included a harmonica player from West Virginia who did a duet with Jennifer, and a tin whistle player from Conamara, in the west of Ireland. Richard is a native Irish speaker from the Gaeltacht (Irish speaking area) and played an air, Sé fath mo Bhuartha, followed by a couple marches on his whistle. He is visiting Cape Breton to attend the Gaelic College and learn some of our Scots Gaelic.
Go raibh maith agat, a Richard! Tar ar ais arís!
See you at the ceilidh!
Friday, August 1, 2008
One never knows what a ceilidh holds.
Shelly Campbell and Allan Dewar supplied wonderful music as usual Tuesday and we recognized a few in the crowd, locals who came to appreciate their artistry. There were enough even to finish off the night with some of our own great dancers doing part of a real Baddeck set: an unusual treat.
Of course we always ask for volunteers from the crowd to share their talents, and this evening there was a young pianist from Quebec who charmed all with her own original compositions.
Wednesday, however, was definitely a stray from routine. Due to the tragic accident on Hwy 105, Jennifer was held up almost 2 hours, and the ceilidh was left to improv!
Thankfully Bucky Carmichael was in attendance, a Gaelic singer, who entertained with stories, jokes and songs. Marion Dewar had been able to make it, and was driven'er on a few piano solos. Rachel Davis came in and played a few great tunes, to which Jennifer step danced. Hannah from the great state of Delaware in the United States, played several selections on her fiddle after her Dad went back to their room to get it! Thanks Hannah and Father! Jennifer arrived in time to do the 2nd half and played 15 extra minutes at the end to help compensate.
To close the evening, after a moment of silence, an air was played in dedication and memory to the victims of the dreadful accident.
We are still thankful and count ourselves blessed, for our own health and safety, and if a delay in our plans is all we have to complain of, we are doing quite well.
For the audience patience and good cheer with the whole evening, and all who filled in because of the delays, BGC sends out a big warm thanks!
See you at the ceilidh!
Of course we always ask for volunteers from the crowd to share their talents, and this evening there was a young pianist from Quebec who charmed all with her own original compositions.
Wednesday, however, was definitely a stray from routine. Due to the tragic accident on Hwy 105, Jennifer was held up almost 2 hours, and the ceilidh was left to improv!
Thankfully Bucky Carmichael was in attendance, a Gaelic singer, who entertained with stories, jokes and songs. Marion Dewar had been able to make it, and was driven'er on a few piano solos. Rachel Davis came in and played a few great tunes, to which Jennifer step danced. Hannah from the great state of Delaware in the United States, played several selections on her fiddle after her Dad went back to their room to get it! Thanks Hannah and Father! Jennifer arrived in time to do the 2nd half and played 15 extra minutes at the end to help compensate.
To close the evening, after a moment of silence, an air was played in dedication and memory to the victims of the dreadful accident.
We are still thankful and count ourselves blessed, for our own health and safety, and if a delay in our plans is all we have to complain of, we are doing quite well.
For the audience patience and good cheer with the whole evening, and all who filled in because of the delays, BGC sends out a big warm thanks!
See you at the ceilidh!
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