Cape Breton Island - The Celtic Heart of North America

14/06/2024

In just two weeks, the annual, musical kick-off to summer hits all corners of Cape Breton Island - and of course, you're invited! Will we see you at KitchenFest / Féis a’ Chidsin?

23/04/2024

Meanwhile in Cape Breton...

😊 We sure do love a good Sunday Ceilidh at the Celtic Music Interpretive Centre. Troy, Andrea, and Tracey - pretty hard to beat that!

11/04/2024

Hey there, long time no see! 😊

It's been a minute, but we haven't forgotten about you. We're gearing up for another bustling tourist season here in Cape Breton and we hope you're keeping us in mind. Whether you're heading east for the first time or returning to familiar territory, our vibrant Gaelic culture and multicultural island are eager to greet you with open arms.

In the meantime, did you know that the full interview series by Wendy MacIsaac is still just a click away? If you ever feel like revisiting those or checking out some of our pop-up ambassador videos from years past, you can find them here:
https://www.facebook.com/CBCelticHeart/videos

We're looking forward to seeing you here soon! So, when can we expect you? 😊

01/12/2023

Hey everyone! ❤️

We’re currently on our United States Celtic Family Christmas Tour!! Starting tonight in Orono, ME!

If you want to come see us, go to the link below to purchase tickets!

https://natalieanddonnell.com/shows/

See you there 😘

30/11/2023

It’s incredibly exciting for us to announce that in addition to our Christmas tour, we’ll be jamming out some tunes at the at this year! The tree this year comes from Darren’s neck of the woods, and we couldn’t be more pumped to bring some Celtic-y Christmas-y cheer to Boston. Happening November 30th! 🎄🎄🎄⭐️⭐️⭐️

15/11/2023

11/11/2023

Oh Heyyyy! We're back! 😃

And we're Merry! 🔔🎄🎅❄️🔔

It's Christmas tour season again, and we've got a dandy one planned this year. Our annual run will be taking us to Ontario, Quebec, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, New York, and wraps up back home in Nova Scotia. And we're so psyched that our best pals Margie Beaton & Thierry Clouette will be along for the ride again. Head to coig.ca/shows for links to tickets.

Còig Christmas Tour 2023 kicks off on November 24th! We hope to see you along the way

Festival of Small Halls Ontario Little Red Wagon Winery The Word Barn Opera House at Boothbay Harbor Burren Backroom Series Old South Church Concert Series 49 Franklin Gracie Theatre UVM Lane Series Hubbard Hall Center for the Arts and Education Great North Woods Center for the Arts Marigold Cultural Centre The Carleton

04/11/2023

🎄2023 Christmas tour dates!!!
Can’t wait to see you .. tell your family and friends we’ll be there soon.
Tickets👉🏼 https://barramacneils.com/calendar/ 🎄
Please share …thanks!
(Photo Michelle Scrivener)

22/10/2023

Can you believe it’s over a week since Celtic Colours International Festival has ended!

If you are going through a little withdrawal like we are here is little clip to lift your spirits. The last set of the night with all of the fiddlers on stage! There’s no better way to end Festival Club!

Only 50 weeks to go until next year!

15/10/2023

As another Celtic Colours International Festival comes to an end we wanted to thank you for following along with us as we explored the beautiful island of Cape Breton.

We shared our songs, stories and cultures. A few laughs and a tear or two were shed along the way. Memories were made, new friendships were formed, and most of all, we were together.

It’s so important to share our all of cultures and see the similarities rather than the differences. We know we are incredibly lucky to be able to do just that.

Until next time, stay safe friends, be kind and don’t forget to dance! 🍁🎶🎹🎻🍂

Ps: Thanks to Wendy for making a flying trip to the FC, just for the photo! 😉

15/10/2023

What a finale that show was, amiright!? We won’t be able to sleep tonight - but that’s good because festival club awaits! It was awful fun sharing our little pre-show with you these last few years, and feeling pretty proud to call Dawn my big sis. Celtic Colours, long may you run. 💕
-Margie

14/10/2023

Sound checks are in full flight here at Centre 200 and sounding amazing! 🤩 Still a few spots open if you’re thinking of coming over - join the fun!!

14/10/2023

Drive-thru thinkin’

14/10/2023

A sweet, still morning here in beautiful Baddeck as we head into day 9 of the festival, the last hoorah for year 27. Margie B with you today, taking a little time to reflect alongside the Bells here on all the amazing moments from this last week - while making plans to live large for this big finale day! Will we see you around somewhere today? C200 this eve? We friggin’ better! ☺️
-Margie

14/10/2023

One last post from me! This busy day is just about done. Just arrived at Festival Club after a stellar day in Marion Bridge and then performing with the Cape Breton Chorale at Rita! Rita! Rita! at the Savoy Theatre. Such a thrill to be a part of this show!
Here’s a pic from last night’s rehearsal with the Men of the Deeps, and backstage with some Chorale peeps.
—Adam

13/10/2023

OK. Last post about things that look like things, I swear. I’ll take a nap or something and smarten up!

I don’t usually see faces in things, but this is the most mosach looking garbage box I’ve ever seen.

(“Mosach” is a Gàidhlig word that means “mean, angry, or miserly”… or basically the 😠 emoji)

—Adam

13/10/2023

We’re all set and ready to go for the Celtic Colours International Festival matinee in Marion Bridge this afternoon.

There’s so much work going on behind the scenes! In addition to Celtic Colours staff, there are countless community volunteers putting in innumerable hours to make your festival experience as memorable as possible.

From site and stage managers, to festival drivers, volunteer organizations like the Marion Bridge Community Council and so, so many others), folks preparing meals and snacks for artists, community presenters, ushers, parking attendants, and tons more…

It takes more than a village—it takes an island!

Shout out to literally everyone who helps make this festival happen!

13/10/2023

Chickie nuggies!
Anyone know what the word is for when you see things in the shapes of other things?
Also, I’m hungry.

—Adam

13/10/2023

Day 8!

How’s everyone doing? As Max MacDonald says, “It’s a marathon, not a sprint.” And it’s hard to believe we’ve only got today and tomorrow left!

Is the tiredness starting to get to you? Are you starting to see things?

I asked some folks to share photos of things that look like Cape Breton…and got a lot of chicken fingers!

Rocks, potato chips, oatcakes, chicken fingers, beef jerky, beer foam, the Facebook “Like” button, pork chops, or pretty much anything also resembling the number 6. Do you have one to share? Leave it in the comments!

I’ll be back with you throughout the day for some more general loopiness. It’s a busy one, and I’m running on about three hours’ sleep. 😂

Today, you’ll find me at the Tunes on the Mira matinee in Marion Bridge, then singing with the Cape Breton Chorale for tonight’s show at the Savoy Theatre, then back up to Festival Club. No sleep ‘til Sunday!

—Adam

12/10/2023

Every year at Celtic Colours International Festival, us musicians are treated to beautiful meals, most often prepared by local ladies and gentlemen from the communities, villages and towns we are performing in.
Tonight we were fed by the ladies of the Ingonish CWL and boy, did they do a lovely job!
Big thanks to these lovely gals!! ❤️🍁❤️
(Missing a few)

12/10/2023

If you are in Baddeck today, watch out for these fun ladies (The Pumpkin People) driving around in a convertible!
So fun!

12/10/2023

Hello all you Celtic Heart fans!! So nice to be back for a day here in beautiful Cape Breton Island!!!
Mairi Rankin and I are on our way to meet up with Mac for our gig this evening in Ingonish.
Had to stop at the Herring Choker Deli for some coffee and a hearty sammy! Yum! 🥪!
I’ll check in again in a bit!

12/10/2023

Home. 13 hours on the road. 4 Scotts safely delivered to the airport and the Gaelic College. I think I might have a bit of Scottish accent in my dreams tonight 🤣

Thanks for following along!
Ainslie

11/10/2023

Update from the road. Quick pit stop in Millbrook for a bite to eat and strethe legs. Found the rain near the airport and lost our beautiful day. Dropped an artist at departure and found 3 new ones at arrivals.

Currently stopped in Antigonish to visit a Canadian grocery store.

Ainslie

11/10/2023

Hi Celtic Heart followers! Guest poster Ainslie reporting in from The Gaelic College in St. Anne’s, the command post of the festival . Me and my copilot are gearing up for an airport run to Halifax to drop off artists who have finished their shows and pick up some new arrivals finishing out the festival!

11/10/2023

From Louisbourg to Mabou and a few places in between.

One of the best things about Celtic Colours is getting to see shows all around the Island over 9 days!

Tonight’s show was brilliant! So many talented musicians and wonderful dances took the stage for the ‘Close to the Floor’ Concert in Mabou. I sat beside Burton MacIntrye for the show, a well know dancer to anyone who has attended a square dance in Cape Breton.

Have you stopped by the merchandise table yet to get your souvenirs? If you’re a coffee lover they have something for you! It will come in handy when you hit the ‘I don’t know what day it is anymore’ part of the festival. That happens right around day 5 or 6. 😂

Thanks for following along with me today! Until next time!

~Katherine

10/10/2023

When you’re visiting the Cape Breton Island for Celtic Colours what do you do during the day?

I was at the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site today and I stopped by the Mi’kmaw Interpretive Centre. They were in the process of making a drum and had just finished making Ji’kmaqn (second photo). It is a musical instrument, made out of wood and was used by tapping against one’s hand or knee. It’s wonderful experience to learn about other cultures and they musical traditions.

Let me know in the comments places that you love to visit while here!