By Rosemary Godin, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Cape Breton Post
An opening weekend tradition for the Celtic Colours Festival in Cape Breton will take place again when the Celtic Cabaret evening takes to the stage at Membertou Trade and Convention Centre.
While many of the performances on First Nations around the island are already sold out, the size of the venue at Membertou means there are still tickets available as of Friday.
While the Pjila’si: A Wagmatcook Welcome on Saturday, Oct. 11 featuring award-winning fiddler, singer and songwriter Morgan Toney who hails from neighbouring We’koqma’q is sold out, Celtic Cabaret gives fans another chance to see and hear him on Sunday evening.
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One of the festival’s few licensed concerts, Sunday’s Celtic Cabaret features Saltfishforty who are back after six years for some tunes and songs from the Orkney Islands in the north of Scotland. Also on the bill are the Morgan Toney Trio as well as Prince Edward Island’s beloved trio Vishtèn with their high-energy Acadian songs. The concert takes place Sunday, Oct. 12 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available through the Celtic Colours ticket office for this 19-plus event.
The Whycocomagh Gathering scheduled for Sunday night featuring Dave Gunning and J.P. Cormier, music innovators Flook, and duo Charlie Grey and Joseph Peach is also sold out.
And there are no more tickets for the popular Thanksgiving Monday’s Eskasoni event featuring a turkey dinner and a concert with J.P. Cormier, Shawnee Paul, Bradley Murphy, Sarah Prosper, Keely Basque, Teresa Horgan and Donogh Hennessey.
STILL TICKETS AT SOME EVENTS
However, some events still have room. They include Saturday’s Whycocomagh Step Dance Workshop. This event, at $10/person is for all levels but especially beginners. People will learn the Cape Breton style (percussive) step dance at the Whycocomagh Waterfront Centre which has a stunning view of the Bras d’Or Lake.
In addition to concerts, the Festival’s community partners are offering more than 260 unique experiences across the Island. Many of those partners are Indigenous communities, groups or individuals.
On Tuesday, Oct. 14, participants can learn Mi’kmaq history through songs and stories at an event at Membertou Heritage Park at 1 p.m. Legends and Story Telling is a guided tour through the Membertou Heritage Park with videos, ancient displays and the gift shop will be open. The cost is $13 for adults and $10 for elders.
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A family square dance will be held in Whycocomagh on Friday, Oct. 17 at 7:30 p.m. at the Whycocomagh Waterfront Centre at $10 per person and free for youth under 12 years. This is an all ages activity with an experienced caller who will guide beginners and experienced through a fun evening of dance. No reservations are required and people can just drop in after 7:30 p.m.
WORKSHOPS
And all through the Celtic Festival, Mi’kmaq elder Andrea Dennis will be holding beading and dream catcher workshops. The cost is $26 and includes materials and instructions. Pre-registration is required and participants can choose their workshops. The time of the instruction is 1-4 pm on the following dates: Tues. Oct. 14 to Friday, Oct. 17. To register, call Dennis at the Membertou Heritage Park at 902-567-5333.
Free events include many quilt and textile shows around Cape Breton, fibre art demonstrations in various communities, open houses at local churches, as well as a daily Celtic Conversations with musical artists performing during the Celtic Colours festival at the McConnell Library in downtown Sydney each day from Tuesday, Oct. 14 to Friday, Oct. 17 at 12:30 p.m.
Also free will be nine nights of live streaming of concerts from around the Island.
Each evening begins at 7 p.m. with the Celtic Colours Countdown show, hosted by Norma Jean MacPhee-Zinck. She’ll bring festival highlights, interviews with special guests, and plenty of behind-the-scenes insights for those unable to be at the performances.
The box office phone number is 902-567-3000 or check the Celtic Colours website for all information.
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