Cape Breton

The Air Of The Hebrides

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Transatlantic Sessions – S03E04 Oganaich Uir A Rinn M’fhagail ‘Spinning Song’ (O Noble Youth Who Has Left Me)
Julie Fowlis with Donal Lunny & Bruce Molsky

Today’s feature takes us to the enchanting music of Julie Fowlis. Julie is a native of Uist in the Hebrides and she grew up listening to traditional tunes. She is also blessed with a beautiful voice plus the talent with different instruments especially the pipes.

What made Julie appealing to me is her way of adding shine to the old tunes. If you look at her interviews, you can tell that this woman is possessed not only with a great sense of humor but a sense of mission as well. She does it so passionately that at such an early age she is already regarded as one of the stalwarts in the business.

This woman smiles so easily but when she plays or sings there is that rapt concentration that is so intense it is almost like laser. Her repertoire is composed of lively as well as laid back traditional songs but never loosing that perky sense. Julie’s music is for those who love the beauty of spare arrangements but dynamic tempos that hearing her sing in a fast Puirt a Buil makes you think of butterfly wings fluttering from flower to flower.

Julie will always make me think about the beauty of Scotland and the Hebrides which will make a nice tourist destination if you want to recreate the sense of wonder that her singing brings to our hearts.

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Useful Links…

Life sciences spin-out Celtic Catalysts wins innovation award

Ah don’t we just love technology? Looking into the future but not forgetting the past: http://www.siliconrepublic.com/innovation/item/20745-life-sciences-spin-out-celt

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St. Patrick Festival Newsletter

Be part of it now to get to know the latest in the upcoming big celebration:

http://stpatricksfestival.createsend1.com/t/ViewEmail/r/61D2EA9A704857B0/AE1ACF8AFA8642D17F4E5A579FEBB2E9

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Dom Duff and the rest of the gang here:

http://www.festival-cornouaille.com/page.asp?page=programme&statut=22-vendredi

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Minnesota Celtic Folk Event

Locklin Road, a group performing Celtic and folk music, will present the Coon Rapids Arts Commission’s third concert in its annual dessert and coffeewinter concert series.

http://abcnewspapers.com/2011/03/04/celtic-folk-music-on-tap-in-winter-concert/

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Vancouver Music Fest From March 4-6

Check the details here: http://www.99vancouver.com/?p=647

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Folk Harp Music..

Yes, everything  here:

http://symphonicfm.com/music-gear/folk-harp-music-music-theory-patrick-ball-celtic-anyone-can-play-music-for-the/

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Hey look at this nice album cover of Farrar. This is the third solo album by Scottish fiddler Duncan Chisholm. It was released in 2008.

Track listing

  1. “Nuair Bhios Mi Leam Fhin” – 3:45
  2. “The Farley Bridge” – 2:22
  3. “Lorient Mornings” – 2:39
  4. “Farewell to Uist” – 4:40
  5. “Mallai Chroch Shli” – 5:56
  6. “The Hill of the High Byre” – 5:24
  7. “A’ Mhairead Og” – 3:39
  8. “250 to Vigo” – 3:15
  9. “The 303” – 4:30
  10. “Alasdair’s Tune” – 4:35

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Klee Radio From Cape Breton

Wow they are playing the new album by Rachel Davis here. They play old and new Celtic stuff. Come and listen!

http://www.kleeradio.com/

Dropkick Murphys And Mentionables

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 4 Comments

I like the way this blog has turned into an interactive page. We have musicians postings along with listeners. There is an influx of so much ideas and inspirations that I am grateful to be part of it all. Remember, you are the stars of this page. I am merely the moderator.

I feel so drained after talking to 32 people today,  But music has a way to take it all away. It is true that great songs are like ships that sail is into far distant places that only the mind can conceive. Celtic music is always and evocative  Celtic music has vehicle.  Unlike most of the music that usually receive the Grammys, this type of music has a Robin Hood appeal to it. But while Robin Hood is  a British Hero( and I am pro Irish or anything in the seven Celtic nations which excludes Great Britain) this page champions diversity.

So what’s the commotions?

New Album Basting The Speakers: Celtic Punk

It looks like a lot of people are talking about Dropkick Murphys latest album Going out of Style. I checked out whats the deal. It’s been four years since they released their album The Meanest of Times. Now they are back to rock the house. They even enlisted Bruce Springsteen to sing one of their songs Peg o’ My Heart.There are ballads amidst the ska induced tunes.  After all this is a band that encourages you to get up and slam rather than sit and relax…which works for me sometimes when I need an exercise. There is this nice bagpipe into in Deeds Not Words.

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Cape Breton’s Best Music Mix, The Coast 89.7

Celtic and otherwise , this is a station that suits my mood today: breezy. I just feel like taking a long ride closing my eyes while the sun is filtered by the trees and everything feels new. Listening to this station takes you to the heart of Cape Breton. There are also new breaks and other informative stuff you will love to check out. You can listen to live streaming through the website: http://www.coastalradio.ca/

Bands for Celtic Weddings

For people who wants to express love through rings, this is the best guide for you. Beautiful designs if you ask me.  http://shoes-sizes.net/eternity_wedding_bands/celtic-wedding-bands-celtic-wedding-bands-probably-the-best-irish-wedding-rings-you-can-find/

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Celtic Good Reads:

If you dig the culture not just for the music but for academic purposes, then check this link for Celtic Literature’s Good Reads.

http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/726306-teresa-read-all-over-reviews?shelf=celtic-studies

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The 6th Annual CELTIC MUSIC NIGHT

Friends in Massachusetts, this is the time to get together and celebrate St. Paddy’s Day in your way. Beautiful night of piping, dancing and other instrumental playing. Plus performances by John Sullivan, champion highland dancer Morgan Pell, world medal holders Irish step dancers Tracey Manning-Dingee and Greg Murphy, and the national youth snare drum champion, Quinn McCormack, as well as harpist Anne Paus, a former member of the Cape Cod symphony. More here: http://www.capecodtoday.com/blogs/index.php/2011/02/28/6th-annual-celtic-music-night-to-be-held?blog=225

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List of recommended Celtic Punk/Irish Rock Bands:

The Pogues
Flogging Molly
Flatfoot 56
The Tossers
Blood or Whiskey

Fiddler’s Green

The Tossers

Gaelic Storm

Add your own list 🙂

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Irish Country And Blues


Country music lovers will give this a listen. Patrick Wall’s I’ll Sail My Ship Alone. I am putting my Hank Williams record back to the shelf an give this a try. Buy it here: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/patrickwall

Irish Country Music and More Celtic Radio

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 10 Comments

I am in a middle of a very busy week. I seldom have a chance to eat at work because I would be thinking what to do next. When you train more than 23 people by batch there are also things you consider while being in front( at least for me). Is my voice pleasant and is the room acoustics making a good job at it? Did I powder my bad head so hat it doesn’t show a shine from the ceiling lamps? Am I making sure I am animated enough and so on and so forth. I usually write this blogs hours or after my work. But not without a cup of warm tea.

Now for the news:

Ever heard of Irish Country Music? If you love both  American Country and Irish  Music then better go to this site: http://www.irishcountrymusicradio.com/ If you click the New Releases tab, you will be introduce to the latest and brightest this station can offer: Eugene O’Dornan, Jason McGilligan, Pat McKenna, Derek Ryan, Lind Welby and a lot more.

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Celebrate St. David’s Day with a great set of Celtic Music

Those living in Wales are celebrating the St. Davids Day . Dance, hum along or simply lounge. Everthing is this radio station:  http://www.celticmusicradio.net/

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Pipers Unite Against White Supremacist.

Pipe players of Brittany on Sunday united against a group of US-based white supremacists who are campaigning to discredit the French region’s top piper, who happens to be a black man.. I hate this. The fact that Celtic Music is supposed to be Universal; for this to happen is outrageous. Read more here: http://www.independent.ie/world-news/europe/pipers-unite-against-white-supremacists-2559536.html

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Congratulations to Cape Breton Fiddlers for bagging the Independent Music Awards.


If you want to check out the amazing story of two Cape Breton fiddlers : Dwayne Côté and Duane Andrews check this link: http://www.capebretonpost.com/Arts/Entertainment/2011-02-28/article-2288570/Dwayne-and-Duane-up-for-two-Independent-Music-Awards/1

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Events:

Guest Artist Series presents Men of Worth

Start:
March 11, 2011 7:30 pm
End:
March 11, 2011 9:30 pm
Cost:
$24 for adults, $16 for students and senior citizens
Venue:
Illinois Central College Performing Arts Center
Phone:
309-694-5136
Address:
Google Map
1 College Drive, East Peoria, IL, United States, 61635

From Scotland’s outer islands and Ireland’s west, the folk duo Men of Worth brings the real music of their regions with tunes and songs that were authentic to the fabric of everyday life a century ago.

14th Celtic Colours International Festival :It Starts Now!

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 1 Comment

Sorry for the late broadcast but it starts now. Grab your tickets!!!

14th Celtic Colours International Festival starts Friday, October 8th!

Several venues sold out but seats remain at many exciting shows.

Tickets to Celtic Colours shows remain in high demand with 13 shows already sold out. If you are interested in attending one of our other 32 shows act fast to ensure yourself a seat. Whether you are looking to attend one show or a week’s worth you can still get your fill of world class traditional music.

Celtic Colours nominated for “National Cultural Tourism” award!

Celtic Colours International Festival is a finalist for the National Awards for Tourism Excellence’s National Cultural Tourism Award presented by The Toronto Star.

The National Awards for Tourism Excellence allow Canada’s tourism industry to recognize those people, places, organizations and events that have gone above and beyond to offer a superior tourism experience to travelers in Canada.

Tickets still available for some of our most exciting shows.
Enjoy Thanksgiving dinner with Colorado chanteuse Mollie O’Brien

Tunes gu leòr – Volume I – Artists in Residence Chris Stout and Catriona McKay have been working with Troy MacGillivray, Andrea Beaton, Colin Grant and Nuala Kennedy before the Festival to come up with some new tunes together. This first concert will showcase each of these incredible artists and their current repertoires

Celtic Thanksgiving: Dinner & Concert -At Celtic Colours, we celebrate Thanksgiving with great food, good company, and spectacular music. This is a great evening to give thanks–to sit back, enjoy a delicious turkey dinner with all the fixings and immerse yourself in a variety of top-notch music.

Drive ‘er – In addition to driving artists all over Cape Breton island, members of the not-for-profit Festival Volunteer Drive’ers Association sell Festival and artist CDs at Celtic Colours concerts for a small commission. Since 2006, the Association has used the proceeds to help an up and coming Cape Breton Celtic artist record their first album. This concert features those artists who are now well on their way to becoming household names in Cape Breton music.
Ireland’s Nuala Kennedy will perform at Tunes gu leòr – Volumes I & II

Tunes gu leòr – Volume II – This concert marks the debut of the new collaborations from the artists showcased at Tunes gu leòr Vol I. Chris and Catriona, backed by the Festival’s own string orchestra will also play some newly composed tunes from their latest critically acclaimed album White Nights.

Beòlach and Friends – Beòlach first came together from an onstage collaboration at Celtic Colours Festival Club in 1998 and haven’t looked back since. They’ve traveled the world and home again. The band’s name translates as “Lively Youth” and tonight many of the band’s equally talented friends will gather on the same stage in Inverness.

Making Songs – Gaelic superstars T with the Maggies and Meantime team up with local culture bearers Mary Jane Lamond, Goiridh Dòmhnallach and Lewis MacKinnon to present an unforgettable evening including new Gaelic song and poetry written specifically for this show.

Songs from Home – As the 2010 festival draws to a close, we will again be reflecting on “home” and this time celebrating the songs that tell our story wherever our home may be. Tonight’s concert will include songs from Ireland, Newfoundland, Scotland, Cape Breton and beyond; songs that represent “home” to our amazing cast of balladeers.

Please visit our show description page for more information on all our performances.

Pack your fiddle, paintbrush or bicycle and join in the fun!

Working closely with hosting community organizations, Celtic Colours International Festival is able to offer plenty of opportunities for folks who are itching to experience our living Celtic culture firsthand through music, visual art, workshops and outdoor events.

There will be daily Participatory Events that range from traditional, all-join-in tune sessions to song sharing sessions, open-mic style events and more.

Learning Opportunities are presentations, demonstrations, lectures, and workshops offered throughout the week for all skill levels and a variety of different disciplines

Take in some fresh air and check out some of Cape Breton’s beautiful fall scenery and spectacular landscape during one of our Outdoor Events.

Professional artists, hobbyists, and art enthusiasts alike will enjoy the many events and exhibits that make up our dazzling Visual Art Series.

From pancake breakfasts to seafood feasts and even Thanksgiving dinner, our community partners will be hard at work making sure everyone is ready for the evenings’ high energy sessions at one of the many Community Meals on offer.

Natalie MacMaster launches book October 9th!

Natalie MacMaster’s Cape Breton Aire is a self-published book that has been in the works for several years. It is the story of a musical life and place. Along with stunning photography it is a tribute to Natalie’s exceptional musical skills and to those who preceded her and shaped her past.

Join Natalie for the launch of the book at the Celtic Music Interpretive Center in Judique from 4 – 6pm on Saturday, October 9th.

Purchase tickets by phone, online or at our box office!

Purchase online 24/7 at: www.celtic-colours.com

By Phone:
1-888-355-7744 (toll free in North America)
(902) 567-3000 (local)

At the Box Office: Joan Harriss Cruise Pavilion, 74 Esplanade, Sydney (head for the Big Fiddle). Our Box Office and phone lines are open Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm ADT.

If phoning to reserve tickets we ask that you have your wish list and a valid credit card handy. We accept Visa, MasterCard and American Express for all phone and internet orders.

Get in the festival spirit with High Definition videos

Our YouTube channel at youtube.com/celticcolours hosts many fantastic new HD videos from the 2009 festival, from our wildly successful Festival Club Stage during the 2010 East Coast Music Association weekend held here in Cape Breton and brand new promotional videos created by our friends at Shot On Site Media that highlight the stories behind some of 2010’s most innovative shows.

The Craic in Cape Breton.

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 5 Comments

October 8 is the date to watch out for!!!

I received another Newsletter from Celtic Colors International Festival. It looks like we have a lot to look forward to in our way to Cape Breton. Ah the lads and lassies are gonna be making sweet music ’till the wee hours of the morning again.,..

Ok let me copy and paste everything here so that you will know in detail what’s up:

14th Celtic Colours International Festival begins October 8th!

Ticket sales brisk as music lovers grab chance to come home to Cape Breton.

We’re celebrating ‘home’ this year at Celtic Colours welcoming back Cape Breton artists like Rita MacNeil and Bruce Guthro, and longtime festival friends like Irish fiddler Liz Doherty and Scottish fiddler Alasdair Fraser.

Other names who will be familiar to Celtic Colours’ audiences include Scottish guitar whiz Tony McManus; Prince Edward Island singer-songwriter Lennie Gallant; Irish flute player and Gaelic singer Nuala Kennedy; Irish-American guitarist-singer-songwriter John Doyle; Donnell and Erin Leahy from the popular Canadian family band Leahy; Acadien group Vishten; and Cape Breton’s own rising stars, The Cottars.

Special concerts will also pay tribute to tradition bearers, celebrate the music of Brenda Stubbert, and see Festival favourites Beòlach reunited.

Visit our website to read all about the hundreds of returning artists and new friends we’re welcoming home in 2010!

Three creation projects showcase exciting new collaborations

We see our festival as much more than a venue to experience music that is already available. Culture is a living, breathing thing that matures and evolves over time. We believe it is our role to facilitate the composition of new music and bring together artists who can collaborate and create music together.

For many years now Celtic Colours has supported creation projects and in 2010 we have three projects underway. In each case the new music will be showcased in a concert toward the end of the festival. The process of composition is assisted more this year by technology, which allows the artists to work together via the internet leading up to the festival.

Our Artists in Residence are taking the lead on two of the projects: Tunes gu leòr, and Making Songs: A’ Dèanadh Òran while the third, Roots to the Future, features a crop of young, cutting-edge songwriters and tunemakers.
Catriona McKay and Chris Stout

Tunes gu leòr

The Gaelic “gu leòr”–meaning: many, much, plenty–is actually the root of the English word “galore” which means, well, basically the same thing. In Cape Breton, where the Gaelic still has relevance as a basis for some of the most traditional music of the island, it is only fitting to recognize this connection to the past.

Saturday, October 9th at the Wagmatcook Culture and Heritage Centre Tunes gu leòr Volume I will mark a beginning, a meeting of artists who are working together to create new tunes. Artists in Residence Chris Stout and Catriona McKay are working with Troy MacGillivray, Andrea Beaton, Colin Grant and Nuala Kennedy in the months leading up to the Festival to come up with some new tunes together. On Friday, October 15th at the Savoy Theatre in Glace Bay Tunes gu leòr Volume II will showcase what their collaborations have produced. This concert will also feature Chris and Catriona, backed by a string orchestra, playing some newly composed tunes from their latest album White Nights.

Chris and Catriona are so excited about the project they’ve produced a video inviting everyone to come celebrate the Tunes gu leòr collaboration.
Goiridh Dòmhnallach

Making Songs: A’ Dèanadh Òran

When songs and tunes are composed in Cape Breton we say they are “made”. That goes back to the earliest Gaelic settlers, many of whom didn’t read music and may not have been able to write down their creations. They passed them down orally and often “made” them as gifts for friends and loved ones. One of the consequences of the decline in Gaelic speakers is that very few new songs are being “made” in the language. This concert is the result of a project we have undertaken to encourage the creation of new Gaelic songs and poetry.

Artist in Residence Lewis MacKinnon is both a poet and a songwriter. He is guiding this project along with Cape Breton songwriter Goiridh Dòmhnallach and Gaelic singer Mary Jane Lamond. Across the ocean in the highlands of Scotland, the band Meantime is actively writing and recording new songs. Working together via very modern technology, the two groups have been collaborating on new songs to share with us. They have also been working with new Gaelic speakers from the North Shore who want to preserve the songs from their area. Supporting the singers will be instrumentalists Chris Stout and Catriona McKay and Rachel Davis. Special guests T with the Maggies will show us how Irish Gaelic songs are thriving in their capable hands. This one is history in the making.

Read more about Making Songs here.
Carmel Mikol

Roots to the Future

This concert is the result of a special collaborative project that looks at how Cape Breton’s young cutting-edge songwriters use our traditions in their contemporary work. The project pairs up songwriters with composers and has them write new songs based on traditional tunes and vice versa. Each of these young artists is a performer and composer in his/her own right. They cover a wide variety of musical styles from traditional fiddle music to very contemporary rock and pop.

Songwriters Steven MacDougall, Carmel Mikol, Carleton Stone and Fiona MacGillivray have paired with tunesmiths Colin Grant, Ryan J. MacNeil, Rosie MacKenzie and Rachel Davis and have been working together all summer and we can’t wait for the results.

Read more about Roots to the Future here

See the future of our traditions at The Archie Neil Stage

Archie Neil Chisholm was a man who recognized the importance of the next generation’s role in keeping traditions alive. To many young musicians he played an important role in the development of their performing abilities, making sure that young players were included in the lineup of local concerts and square dances.

The Archie Neil Stage features up-and-coming fiddlers, guitarists, pipers, singers, and stepdancers, will take place in the Greenwood United Church in Baddeck on Monday, October 11, Tuesday October 12, and Wednesday, October 13 at 3:00 pm. Following the show there will be a traditional Session.

To participate contact Yvette for an application: yvette@celtic-colours.com or (902) 562-6700.  Deadline for applications is September 15.

Festival goers save with the Celtic Colours Friendly Businesses program.

Friendly Businesses across the island provide visitors with information on Festival concerts, community events and more. They also offer a 15% discount in their shops and restaurants to those who present a Celtic Colours ticket stub when making a purchase. Friendly Businesses are identified by a large banner or sign and a “Friendly” sticker in entrance windows. This list of participating businesses can be found in the 2010 Festival Program, Map Guide and on our website

Purchase tickets by phone, online or at our box office!

Purchase online 24/7 at: www.celtic-colours.com

By Phone: 1-888-355-7744 (toll free in North America)

At the Box Office: Joan Harriss Cruise Pavilion, 74 Esplanade, Sydney (head for the Big Fiddle). Our Box Office and phone lines are open Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm ADT.

If phoning to reserve tickets we ask that you have your wish list and a valid credit card handy. We accept Visa, MasterCard and American Express for all phone and internet orders.