What a night!
We have all heard good music, nominal music, music that is pleasant or interesting: but sometimes we are met with magical music. It is otherworldly, it moves you. It touches something deeper in you than just sound waves in your ears.
We write this having just experienced some of the magical variety at our very own ceilidh.
It makes sense that often in Celtic folklore, the best musicians were rumoured to have received their gift from the fairies. Listeners could find no natural explanation for those sounds which left them speechless and full of joy. How is it, that these waves of sound can lift my spirit and thrill me?
We seek answers in vain. Beauty, be in it a sunset, or in the strains of a violin or piano, is enigmatic and elusive to description. It is ready to be enjoyed, however, and that, Friends, we are, here in Baddeck! Cape Breton has been blessed with a multitude of wonderful musicians and a good number are featured at our ceilidh nightly. The last few nights are good testament to that. Our humble parish hall has been filled to capacity with many congregating on the step to hear whatever they can manage.
Last night Leanne and Marion were on fire! Marion was all over that piano as we have come to expect from her! Leanne, fresh from a year in Ireland, was full of good tunes and had her characteristic powerful drive in full swing.
Robbie and Jennifer were fantastic tonight- there was magic in the air, indeed! They traded places effortlessly between fiddle and piano, giving each other a turn at the lead chair. For those who arrived unsuspecting, what a treat they received!
Robbie Fraser, together with his brother Isaac, have just released their 3rd cd, Everything Old is New Again. It is hot off the presses, only coming off the truck in the last couple weeks. Based on what we heard tonight, this is not one to be missed.
If for some reason you were unable to get their recording tonight, or find it elsewhere, Robbie did leave some with us at the ceilidh, so Everything Old is New Again will be available for purchase nightly at the Baddeck Gathering along with Mike Hall's recent release, A Legacy, Not to Be Forgotten. Both are $20 each.
See you at the ceilidh!
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Week 2: 2009 Season
By now we've seen and heard most all of our regulars: Shelly Campbell, Rachel Davis, Buddy MacDonald, husband and wife team Melody & Derrick Cameron, Susan MacLean, Jennifer Bowman and Mike Hall, as well as Dwayne Cote, who made a wonderful appearance with Kevin Levesconte on piano of the 4th of July. Dwayne and Kevin are two great players that we don't often get the opportunity to hear.
We would also like welcome Helen MacDonald and Scott MacKenzie to our weekly lineup this year.
Every night has been great. Fantastic crowds and music to match.
Tuesday the 7th we had a tour visiting whose leader presented the Chariots of Fire theme on the piano. There was also a Quebecois fiddler visiting as well, and he cracked out a few tunes for us. It is always a treat for us to discover what talents are waiting to be enjoyed in our audience! Please don't be shy when you come to visit us!
Wednesday the 8th, we had a Baddeck Gathering first. Our square set participants got so excited, and were having so much fun, they couldn't manage to finish the square set! In all our 10 years, that has never happened! We all collapsed in our seats with eruptions of laughter, wiping a tear from the eye, we were laughing so hard. They were a fun group. Oh to be a fly on the wall of THAT bus!
We will be hearing Chrissy Crowley tonight. Chrissy counts as close blood family the renowned musical family, the Chisholms of Margaree: Archie Neil, Cameron, Maybelle, Margaret. Come out and listen to see if you can hear that famous Margaree sound.
See you at the ceilidh!
We would also like welcome Helen MacDonald and Scott MacKenzie to our weekly lineup this year.
Every night has been great. Fantastic crowds and music to match.
Tuesday the 7th we had a tour visiting whose leader presented the Chariots of Fire theme on the piano. There was also a Quebecois fiddler visiting as well, and he cracked out a few tunes for us. It is always a treat for us to discover what talents are waiting to be enjoyed in our audience! Please don't be shy when you come to visit us!
Wednesday the 8th, we had a Baddeck Gathering first. Our square set participants got so excited, and were having so much fun, they couldn't manage to finish the square set! In all our 10 years, that has never happened! We all collapsed in our seats with eruptions of laughter, wiping a tear from the eye, we were laughing so hard. They were a fun group. Oh to be a fly on the wall of THAT bus!
We will be hearing Chrissy Crowley tonight. Chrissy counts as close blood family the renowned musical family, the Chisholms of Margaree: Archie Neil, Cameron, Maybelle, Margaret. Come out and listen to see if you can hear that famous Margaree sound.
See you at the ceilidh!
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Day 1, 2009 Season
Well that was certainly a good start to a new year of ceilidhs!
Jennifer Bowman and Marion Dewar were crackin' the jigs and reels all night, and there were smiles on every face! We especially enjoyed a couple toddlers who were givin' a few steps and showing their unashamed enthusiasm. What a treat!
Jennifer was fresh from playing at the Celtic Music Interpretive Centre in Judique last Sunday, and was ready to get the ball rolling Wednesday night.
We enjoyed visitors from the entire length and breadth of North America: there were very few border states from the US that were not represented! We also had around 6 from Germany and a couple from Denmark.
Now that we've tasted the fun again, we are hooked. We'll have to do this every night!
Don't just take our word on it that it's good, however. Come out and join us!
See you at the ceilidh!
Jennifer Bowman and Marion Dewar were crackin' the jigs and reels all night, and there were smiles on every face! We especially enjoyed a couple toddlers who were givin' a few steps and showing their unashamed enthusiasm. What a treat!
Jennifer was fresh from playing at the Celtic Music Interpretive Centre in Judique last Sunday, and was ready to get the ball rolling Wednesday night.
We enjoyed visitors from the entire length and breadth of North America: there were very few border states from the US that were not represented! We also had around 6 from Germany and a couple from Denmark.
Now that we've tasted the fun again, we are hooked. We'll have to do this every night!
Don't just take our word on it that it's good, however. Come out and join us!
See you at the ceilidh!
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Are you ready? We are!
The 2009 season of the Baddeck Gathering Ceilidhs is about to kick off! The fiddlers are rosining their bows, dancers are tying up their shoes, and the pianos are tuned up.
In a mere 24 hours, everything will be underway as Jennifer Bowman takes the stage with her fiddle and Marion Dewar at her side, keeping time at the piano.
It is sure to be a great one, Folks! We hope you are able and planning to join us for some Scottish Cape Breton culture and refreshments, any night this summer at the St. Michael's Parish hall here in Baddeck.
We'll be letting you know how it goes here on the blog as much as we can, but a second-hand report is certainly nothing like being there! Our music and dance truly must be experienced first-hand, in person. We are certain anyone who has ever been to our ceilidhs or local dances will wholeheartedly attest to that. There's nothing like feeling the driving beat of the strathspey in your chest, the jigs and reels that compel your feet to tap (and dance!), and the sweet tenderness of the slow airs that touch the heart. There is just nothing like it in the world.
We love our music so much, we know you will too!
So come out, have a cup of tea, and take in the beauty of Baddeck, and enjoy the music that lives only here in Cape Breton.
See you at the ceilidh!
In a mere 24 hours, everything will be underway as Jennifer Bowman takes the stage with her fiddle and Marion Dewar at her side, keeping time at the piano.
It is sure to be a great one, Folks! We hope you are able and planning to join us for some Scottish Cape Breton culture and refreshments, any night this summer at the St. Michael's Parish hall here in Baddeck.
We'll be letting you know how it goes here on the blog as much as we can, but a second-hand report is certainly nothing like being there! Our music and dance truly must be experienced first-hand, in person. We are certain anyone who has ever been to our ceilidhs or local dances will wholeheartedly attest to that. There's nothing like feeling the driving beat of the strathspey in your chest, the jigs and reels that compel your feet to tap (and dance!), and the sweet tenderness of the slow airs that touch the heart. There is just nothing like it in the world.
We love our music so much, we know you will too!
So come out, have a cup of tea, and take in the beauty of Baddeck, and enjoy the music that lives only here in Cape Breton.
See you at the ceilidh!
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Mike Hall cd release info is here!
We knew it was coming, and now Mike Hall has finished his much anticipated first release, A Legacy, Not To Be Forgotten. Congrats, Mike! Great work!
The official launch will be held:
June 13th from 2 -5 pm
at Rollie's Wharf in North Sydney.
Mike will be accompanied by piano legend Tracy Dares-MacNeil. A square dance will follow at the Westmount Legion from 9pm - 1am with music provided by Marc Boudreau, Joel Chiassion, and Mike.
The CD features Joel Chiasson on piano and Michael Hall on fiddle. Having had the privilege to hear some samples from it, I can say that it is a must-buy, and I for one will be first in line to pick up my own copy!
For more information about Mike and a list of all his other upcoming events and opportunities to hear his music live, check out his website at http://www.mikehallmusic.com/ .
See you at the ceilidh!
The official launch will be held:
June 13th from 2 -5 pm
at Rollie's Wharf in North Sydney.
Mike will be accompanied by piano legend Tracy Dares-MacNeil. A square dance will follow at the Westmount Legion from 9pm - 1am with music provided by Marc Boudreau, Joel Chiassion, and Mike.
The CD features Joel Chiasson on piano and Michael Hall on fiddle. Having had the privilege to hear some samples from it, I can say that it is a must-buy, and I for one will be first in line to pick up my own copy!
For more information about Mike and a list of all his other upcoming events and opportunities to hear his music live, check out his website at http://www.mikehallmusic.com/ .
See you at the ceilidh!
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Dawn and Margie cd release is here!
As promised, we have information on the debut cd release for Dawn and Margie Beaton! Here it is folks!
In Judique, at the Celtic Music Interpretive Centre, will be the official CD launch for the first CD of Dawn & Margie Beaton. It will be a day of fiddle and dance! Dawn & Margie will be appearing at the Interpretative Centre in Judique from 3-6:45 and will have the CDs available then. The girls will then perform at the annual Thanksgiving concert at the Parish Hall, Mabou from 7:30 - 10 pm.
Then the party begins, where from 11 pm -3 am, the official CD launch will take place at the Hall of the Clans, St. Ann's Cape Breton in conjunction with Celtic Colors and the Drive'ers Association. Margie and Dawn will perform beginning at midnight!
Here's the summary:
What: Debut Cd release Ceilidh
Who: Margie and Dawn Beaton
Where: Interpretive Center -787-2708 http://www.celticmusicsite.com/
How much: $7
When: Sunday, Oct 12th, from 3pm-6:45pm
See you at the ceilidh!
In Judique, at the Celtic Music Interpretive Centre, will be the official CD launch for the first CD of Dawn & Margie Beaton. It will be a day of fiddle and dance! Dawn & Margie will be appearing at the Interpretative Centre in Judique from 3-6:45 and will have the CDs available then. The girls will then perform at the annual Thanksgiving concert at the Parish Hall, Mabou from 7:30 - 10 pm.
Then the party begins, where from 11 pm -3 am, the official CD launch will take place at the Hall of the Clans, St. Ann's Cape Breton in conjunction with Celtic Colors and the Drive'ers Association. Margie and Dawn will perform beginning at midnight!
Here's the summary:
What: Debut Cd release Ceilidh
Who: Margie and Dawn Beaton
Where: Interpretive Center -787-2708 http://www.celticmusicsite.com/
How much: $7
When: Sunday, Oct 12th, from 3pm-6:45pm
See you at the ceilidh!
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Farewell, 2008 Season
Finally taking off our dancing shoes, putting the fiddles in their cases, getting out our autumn jackets and locking up St. Michael's parish hall for the winter, as another season of Baddeck Gathering Ceilidhs comes to a close.
What a great season it was! We had visitors from every corner of the globe, representing every continent except Antarctica.
We want to send out warm thanks to all who attended, all who participated and all who enjoyed! You all make the ceilidh special and different. We wouldn't be here if it weren't for you, the visitors.
Also a big round of applause for all of our phenomenal performers (in no particular order):
Shelly Campbell, Marion Dewar, Allan Dewar, Melody and Derrick Cameron, Stan Chapman, Mike Hall, Jennifer Bowman, Robbie and Isaac Fraser, Rachel Davis, Buddy MacDonald, Gabrielle MacLellan and Tom Daniels, Donnie Campbell, Dara Smith, Susan MacLean, Joel Chiasson, Jacinta MacKinnon, Anita MacDonald, Bucky Carmichael, Marc Boudreau, Kolten MacDonnell and Dwayne Cote.
What a lineup! No wonder we so enjoy our ceilidhs! We are blessed with such plentiful talent in the area, and so many great players, how can one sit still?
As we always try to mention our guest performers from the audience, we can't forget a graceful lady, Renee Gibbons, originally from Dublin but now residing in San Francisco, sang us two lovely songs on September 22nd: one in English and one in Irish Gaelic. Lovely, Renee, thank you for sharing your special talent!
We were able to continue the ceilidhs until September 23rd, and the hall was packed right up to the end. Many nights were standing room, and every night smiles covered the room while the floor bounced with tapping and dancing feet, hoots and applause filled the air, and tunes new and old flowed from the fiddle and piano strings.
Check back to the ceilidh homepage and blog for the next seasons lineup and other details as they become available.
Until then, have a great autumn and winter seasons, and keep us in your plans for next year!
See you at the ceilidh!
What a great season it was! We had visitors from every corner of the globe, representing every continent except Antarctica.
We want to send out warm thanks to all who attended, all who participated and all who enjoyed! You all make the ceilidh special and different. We wouldn't be here if it weren't for you, the visitors.
Also a big round of applause for all of our phenomenal performers (in no particular order):
Shelly Campbell, Marion Dewar, Allan Dewar, Melody and Derrick Cameron, Stan Chapman, Mike Hall, Jennifer Bowman, Robbie and Isaac Fraser, Rachel Davis, Buddy MacDonald, Gabrielle MacLellan and Tom Daniels, Donnie Campbell, Dara Smith, Susan MacLean, Joel Chiasson, Jacinta MacKinnon, Anita MacDonald, Bucky Carmichael, Marc Boudreau, Kolten MacDonnell and Dwayne Cote.
What a lineup! No wonder we so enjoy our ceilidhs! We are blessed with such plentiful talent in the area, and so many great players, how can one sit still?
As we always try to mention our guest performers from the audience, we can't forget a graceful lady, Renee Gibbons, originally from Dublin but now residing in San Francisco, sang us two lovely songs on September 22nd: one in English and one in Irish Gaelic. Lovely, Renee, thank you for sharing your special talent!
We were able to continue the ceilidhs until September 23rd, and the hall was packed right up to the end. Many nights were standing room, and every night smiles covered the room while the floor bounced with tapping and dancing feet, hoots and applause filled the air, and tunes new and old flowed from the fiddle and piano strings.
Check back to the ceilidh homepage and blog for the next seasons lineup and other details as they become available.
Until then, have a great autumn and winter seasons, and keep us in your plans for next year!
See you at the ceilidh!
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