Cape Breton Ceilidh Concert and Dance, Friday 5 May 2017

(with text shamelessly stolen from this Facebook event)

An evening of Cape Breton-style fun for everyone. Fiddles, pipes, pianos; square dancing and step dancing all in one big blast. Part concert and part dance, there will be something everyone can enjoy. If you're planning to visit Cape Breton this event will give you a good taste of the culture you can expect to see. If you've already been there and love the island this will warm your heart. If you are from Cape Breton this will be a taste of home, bring your children/grandchildren to connect with their Cape Breton roots. All ages welcome, cash bar.

If you're not sure about the square dancing, don't worry! Square dance instruction will be provided by Beth MacGillivray as needed.

Friday at 8 PM - 11 PM
Montgomery Centretown Legion
330 Kent St.
Adult: $15 in advance. Same day tickets $20.
Youth: (16 and under accompanied by an adult) $10
Purchase Online: http://capebreton.bpt.me/
Tickets may also be purchased in person from Beth, Calum or Alexis - coming soon!

KENNETH MACKENZIE is a piper and fiddler from Mabou Coal Mines, Cape Breton Island. He grew up speaking Gaelic and surrounded by Gaelic culture and tradition bearers and is well-known for his lively traditional style and for the strong Gaelic flavour to his playing. His piping is well-known for its irresistible drive and lively, traditional feel. In 2010, Kenneth was the recipient of the Celtic Colours Driveers Award and released the ECMA-nominated album Pìob is Fidheall (Pipes and Fiddle) with his brother Angus. Kenneth has also recorded with Natalie MacMaster, Brenda Stubbert, Dawn and Margie Beaton, Chrissy Crowley, Kinnon Beaton and others. He tours with his brothers Angus and Calum and also as a member of the Beaton Sisters Band and his music has taken him through Canada and the US, Ireland, Scotland and the UK, Australia and Central America. More recently he has teamed up with Keith MacDonald and Kevin Dugas in the exciting new traditional piping group Nuallan.

Kenneth's brother CALUM MACKENZIE lives in Ottawa but was born and raised in Mabou, Cape Breton. He grew up in a home where Gaelic was the language of choice and where he was surrounded by traditional music. Calum took up the piano and the fiddle at a young age. His father hails from South Uist in Scotland and his mother from Back Street in Mabou, and both cultures influence his playing. Calum counts Mac Morin and Troy MacGillivray among his piano idols and many Cape Breton fiddlers influenced his playing greatly, from John Morris Rankin, Iain MacDougall, Buddy MacMaster to Shelly Campbell. Calum has been fortunate to play with many Cape Breton artists both at home and abroad as well with many well-known international musicians at festivals in Canada, Scotland and the Caribbean.

ALEXIS MACISAAC and Calum MacKenzie are a wife and husband duo who have established a unique musical partnership that combines Cape Breton piano playing with a modern approach to Celtic fiddle. Alexis playing is a multi-faceted harmonization of Irish, Scottish, and Cape Breton styles. Though their respective approaches to music are distinct, together they create a clean and seamless sound that is nonetheless grounded in tradition.They have recently recorded and produced their debut album, The Bay Street Sessions.