Blog Archive
This is a archive of all our old blog posts. Feel free to browse through them
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Cape Breton, Cuba & Bagpipes???
If you ask most people where they can hear Celtic music they would likely answer Scotland and Ireland. An increasing number of folks would also think of Cape Breton because of our living Gaelic culture. It would surprise some people that the areas of north western Spain, Galicia and Asturias, are also widely recognized as Celtic nations. Both of these regions also have a very active bagpipe tradition. (Their version of the instrument is called the gaita.)
MoreChecking Off the Bucket List – A Visit to Glenora
It is the last day of May and I have already started checking items off my summer bucket list of Cape Breton experiences that I previously blogged about. Recently I had the pleasure of visiting Glenora Inn & Distillery. What a treat!
MoreNot Too Soon to Be Thinking About Fall
I once asked my Grandmother if she ever imagined that she would be celebrating her 95th birthday. Without a moment’s hesitation she replied, “Max, before you know it you’ll be 80.” I was 32 at the time and thought she was trying to be funny. She did have a wicked sense of humor. Well, that was 30 very quick years ago and now I’m just hoping she was right and I get to see 80.
MoreMusic Enthusiasts Wanted!
Spring is in full swing here in Cape Breton. There are lots of activities underway and many more coming soon!
MoreAbairtean / Sayings
'Nuair a bha mi draibheadh air an Eilean Mhór an diugh ann an dìle bhàite, smaoinich mi air na h-abairtean Ghàidhlig a th' ann airson na sìde agus rudan eile... ach is tric nach gabh iad eadar-theangachadh gu 'n Bheurla gu ro mhath!
MoreI Have Seen the Future and It’s Called Sprag Session
Cape Breton traditional music is often called fiddle music because that instrument usually takes the melodic lead with the piano as the chief accompaniment. Our music has been played on these two instruments at dances and house parties for the last century. Because the music is so closely related to the Cape Breton dance tradition, there have been relatively few experiments with additional instrumentation and rhythms. This is not to say it hasn’t been done. Slainte Mhath, Beoloach and some of Ashley MacIsaac’s music come to mind.
MoreWhere Will You Be in October? Showing Off YOUR Celtic Colours?
Now that it is almost May, it's time to start thinking about fall. Yes, I mean fall, as in the season that follows summer... what do you mean it's too early? Go away with ya! Seriously, I love the spring and summer and can't even begin to think past the end of the dog days of summer. Luckily we don't have to... the kind folks at the Celtic Colours International Festival are planning our fall activities for us!
MoreCO-CHEANGLAIDHEAN / CONNECTIONS
O chionn ghreis chuir mi seachad dà latha ri teagasg òrain Ghàidhlig do chloinn aig An Roinn Cheilteach de 'n Sgoil Dhannsaidh aig Ceallaigh Nic Artair ann an Cnoc an Iar, Ceap Breatainn. 'S e dannsairean a bh' anns a' mhór-chuid dhe na sgoilearan agus bha 'ad air an togail le bhith dannsadh do sheinn seach inneal ciùil. Rinneadh co-cheangladh glan eadar cànan 'is ceòl 'is dannsa, agus a' chlann 'gan ionnsachadh uile.
MoreThe Time I Played With Elvis
I made my first trip to Scotland in January of 1996. The purpose of the visit was to conduct research at the Celtic Connections Festival in Glasgow. My business partner and I had hatched the idea to create what would become the Celtic Colours International Festival in Cape Breton. We wanted to see a large Celtic festival in action and Celtic Connections, although only in its third year of existence, was already a huge event spanning almost three weeks in length.
MorePlanning My Summer Bucket List of Cape Breton Experiences
Readersdigest.ca (yes, affiliated with THAT Reader’s Digest) recently released their 8 essential Cape Breton experiences. It must have been near impossible to narrow the list to just 8.
MoreOur Celtic experience partners
