Cape Breton Fiddle Music in Ottawa 16-17 Nov. 2012

Here is some information about some Cape Breton music events coming up in November. The events are part of an annual series to support young emerging musicians who focus on traditional music styles of Cape Breton, any and all proceeds from the events go directly to the musicians.

House Concert Friday November 16 7:30pm

Anita MacDonald and Tyson Chen $20.00. All proceeds go directly to performers. Seating is limited - reserve your seat by email cbsession@cbsession.com . Bring your instruments and join in an informal jam session with the artists following the concert. BYOB and snacks if you wish.


Fiddle and Piano Workshops Saturday November 17

Faith Lutheran Church 43 Meadowlands Dr. Ottawa, ON (between Merivale and Woodroffe).
--Beginner/Intermediate Fiddle 9:30am-12:00pm $25
--Advanced Fiddle 1 pm-3: 30 pm $25
--Beginner/Intermediate Piano 9:30am-12:00pm $25
--Intermediate/Advanced Piano 1 pm-3: 30 pm $25

Advance registration, especially for piano, is required as space is limited.

To register:
· Submit form and payment at any Ottawa Cape Breton Session event OR Reserve a space by email cbsession@cbsession.com OR Submit form and payment (cheque) by mail to:
Ottawa Cape Breton Session
7661 Settler's Way
North Gower, ON K0A 2T0

Ceilidh and Square Dance Saturday November 17

The Cape Breton Club of Ottawa and Ottawa Cape Breton Session present an evening of Cape Breton dancing and music with Anita MacDonald and Tyson Chen with additional entertainment by Dave Barnes and Ernie Fraser. Square set instruction from 7:30~8pm. Officer's Mess - RCMP Headquarters at 1200 Vanier Parkway. Highway 417 east or west to exit 117 Vanier Parkway. Left at first lights to guard hut. Give your license plate number to the guards then proceed to the Mess. The Mess entrance is on the east side of the building, but you have to drive all the way around the building to access the entrance which is just past the garage on the left and has a red awning over the door. There is plenty of parking in the lot across the roadway, parking rules are not enforced on weekends. OCTranspo: From Hurdman Station take Route 9 Downtown/Centreville to the Vanier/Coventry stop. 3-4 minute walk from there. Via Rail: If you are coming from out of town this location is within walking distance of the Ottawa Rail Central Station and Hampton Inn is right across the street. Google Map Admission $10.00 in advance or $15 at the door . Tickets available at the Ottawa Folklore Centre 1111 Bank St. or from Brent MacDonald or Beth MacGillivray at any OCBS or CB Club event or by email at cbsession@cbsession.com . Additional locations for ticket purchases will be posted at http://www.cbsession.com/squaredanceNov2012.htm

Anita MacDonald is an accomplished musician, dancer, and Gaelic singer from Little Narrows, Cape Breton. She began stepdancing at age four and has wowed audiences with her impeccable timing and neatly choreographed steps. Anita's fiddle playing has a distinctive sound that comes from her influences and variations on tunes that she has learned over the years from her musical family and teachers. She is the granddaughter of Little Narrows fiddler and guitarist, Charlie Ellis, and noted fiddle player and composer Raymond Ellis is her grand uncle. Anita's passion for Cape Breton music has enabled her to work heavily with the cultural component of Féis an Eilein, Christmas Island for the past five years.

Anita's energetic style has enabled her to perform extensively throughout Cape Breton, including being a featured in the Celtic Colours International Festival, Anita is often sought after to conduct workshops in music, dance, and song. She has also been featured on Jean MacNeil's Instructional Stepdance Video: Spring In Your Step, Cape Breton Live Radio: Take 01 and Rita MacNeil's "My Cape Breton Home" Television Special.

She is currently in her third year of a Bachelor of Arts degree, focusing in History and Gaelic, at Cape Breton University. Anita is the 2011 recipient of the Frank "Big Sampie" Sampson Award as awarded by the Festival Volunteer Drive'ers Association and supported by Lakewind Sound Studios. This award grants recording studio time to young, up-and-coming Celtic artists. "Stepping Stone" features 14 tunes and songs. There are a number of guests on the album including Susan MacLean, Hilda Chiasson-Cormier, Darren McMullen, Donnie Campbell, Ryan J. MacNeil, Sarah Jane Murphy, and MacDonald's cousin Evan Bonaparte, and her grandfather Charlie Ellis. Anita released her debut album, "Stepping Stone," during the Celtic Colours International Festival.

Tyson Chen is an accomplished piano player from Ottawa who moved to Cape Breton in 2008. Over the past several years, Tyson has immersed himself in the Celtic music scene and learned the Cape Breton style of piano accompaniment. He has performed at many ceilidhs, dances, and sessions throughout Cape Breton and plays regularly at well-known venues including the Red Shoe Pub, Glenora Distillery, and West Mabou Square Dances. Tyson has accompanied many well-known fiddlers across the island including Anita MacDonald and performed with Anita for her debut album release at the Celtic Colours International Festival.