10 11
In which our intrepid correspondents give exposed to a range of Cape Breton Gaelic songs The Celtic College is the brainchild of (either originating in Scotland but popular in Cape Goderich folk music movers and shakers Warren us news from one coast of Canada to the Breton, or more often, songs composed by Cape and Eleanor Robinson, who organize the takeover other and to the other: Breton bards), ranging from love songs to milling of the Goderich high school for a week in August, songs. bring in elite Celtic (in this context, "Celtic" means Each evening, I attended different events "mostly Irish") musicians and craftspeople from Fail 2001: Cape Breton, hosted by Feis an Eilein at the Christmas Island around the world, and register hundreds of adult fire hall. One of the main attractions is their students for four days of intensive training Nova Scotia annual milling frolic. Milling frolics are known as ranging from beginner concertina to Irish song waulkings in Scotland and continue to be (sung in the original Irish language) to fiddling to By Heather Sparling practised in Cape Breton today. Originally, guitar accompaniment to tin whistle and flute, not milling frolics involved the shrinking of wool by to mention dancing and drawing and calligraphy ased on a number of trips to Cape Breton, I pounding it. Wool shrinkage was important for and even instrument repair. While the days are Bfeel relatively secure in asserting that tightening the weave of the wool, thereby making filled with classes, the evenings are filled with Scottish Gaelic culture in Cape Breton is not it warmer and more waterproof. Since it was a concerts by the instructors and, later, sessions so much visual as aural: the sounds of fiddles, step long and arduous process, neighbours were invited scattered around town. The whole enterprise dancers, and Gaelic singers. In the place of the for a night of singing and milling. Each person at wraps up on Friday when willing students take visual splendour of Highland Games, you'll find the table would take a turn singing a Gaelic song the stage on the opening afternoon of the Celtic ceilidhs, feisean, and milling frolics. "Ceilidh" is solo while everyone kept time with the beating of Roots Festival that runs throughout the weekend. the Gaelic word for visit and involves the the cloth and all would join in on the choruses. If it sounds overwhelming, I wouldn't community coming together for an evening of Although there is no practical need to shrink wool disagree. The instructors' roster was impressive if storytelling, songs, music, and dance. Some are anymore, Gaelic-speakers still look forward to not downright daunting: internationally widely advertised and are held at community fire milling frolics today as an opportunity to speak in recognized performers, here to share then- or legion halls. Others are spontaneous Gaelic and share their songs with each other. expertise and experience. The list included gatherings of neighbours in someone's kitchen. Now, most communities have a single milling Sharlene Wallace, Ken Perlman, Brian Taheny, "Feisean" are festivals where Gaelic culture is blanket that is used repeatedly and expressly for Lorretto Reid, Frank Edgley, Joe Grady, Patrick explained, performed, and transmitted. At the such events. Orceau, Ben Grossman, Julie Schryer and on and annual Christmas Island festival, Feis an Eilein, on. there is a pipers' ceilidh (at which both local and Milling frolics and other Scottish Gaelic Scottish pipers perform), several square dances, cultural events are held throughout Cape Breton "Who's Peter Horan?" I whispered to Jean AMari Usque... Gaelic language classes, song workshops, and step all summer long. They are also featured as part of Hewson, the accomplished singer and guitarist dance lessons. Although these events are open to each year's highly successful "Celtic Colours" from Newfoundland, one half of a duo with fiddler the public, including tourists, they are particularly festival, which will run October 5 to 13 this year. Christina Smith. We were sitting in the packed important for the education and promotion of Torontonians are also fortunate this year as the concert hall listening to a "concert" of Sligo tunes, Gaelic culture to Cape Bretoners, encouraging Celtic Studies Department at the University of which was really more bike an amazing session, children to learn the culture, and providing an Toronto is hosting a one-day conference called with Peter in the centre of it all. opportunity for more advanced students to teach "Words and Music of Cape Breton" on November Jean looked at me and just managed to keep rd and perform. 3 . Speakers and performers will include Mary the irony out of her voice as she informed me, This year, I attended both Feis an Eilein Jane Lamond, Jim Watson, Alistair MacLeod, and "Well, he's kind of a legend." Oops! I didn't know, events and a new, four-day Gaelic song workshop Cape Breton fiddlers Sandy Maclntyre and David but I do now. A learning experience. led by renowned Gaelic singer, Mary Jane Greenberg. But the aspect of the College that struck me Lamond. It was held in the nearby community of Heather Sparling is our web mistress. the most was how humbling it was to be a Iona at the Highland Village, an outdoor museum struggling beginner again. I can play a number of similar to Toronto's Pioneer Village. Mary Jane instruments reasonably well, but Frank Edgley's invited native Gaelic speakers and singers from Celtic College at Goderich, beginner concertina class brought me quickly to a the Island to speak about their singing standstill. It had nothing to do with the fact that experiences, and to share their songs with the Ontario the other members of the class were toting their students. We listened carefully in an attempt to beautiful hand made Lachenals and Stagis (and grasp, not only melody and pronunciation, but By Jean Mills even an Edgley) which towered, figuratively, over variation, ornamentation, and the more general my little red Hohner with its paper bellows and "Gaelic flavour" of their singing styles. Our he highlight of my summer was a week spent noisy buttons. No, it seemed to have more to do afternoons often ended with a little ceilidh, Tat the Celtic College in Goderich, Ontario. with the fact that I was the only one having involving any guests remaining and Jim Watson, Despite a heat wave that plastered our shirts trouble with the "pat the head and rub the an incredibly knowledgeable Gaelic speaker and to our backs and made contact with any kind of tummy" brainwork required. At the student singer on the Highland Village's staff. Students string and fretboard a sticky proposition, the concert on Friday afternoon I felt flight-or-fight could participate, but more often we simply experience was inspirational — and at times sweat break out when it was our class's turn to absorbed the Gaelic spoken, the stories told, and humbling. It's an exercise we should all play. My friends down on the grass watched with the songs sung. For the rest of our time, we were undertake at some point in our lives: to become a amusement as I struggled. Afterwards, safely off student again! stage, I laughed too. I have a lot of work to do if
The Canadian Folk Music BULLETIN de musique folklorique canadienne The Canadian Folk Music BULLETIN de musique folklorique canadienne 10 11
In which our intrepid correspondents give exposed to a range of Cape Breton Gaelic songs The Celtic College is the brainchild of (either originating in Scotland but popular in Cape Goderich folk music movers and shakers Warren us news from one coast of Canada to the Breton, or more often, songs composed by Cape and Eleanor Robinson, who organize the takeover other and to the other: Breton bards), ranging from love songs to milling of the Goderich high school for a week in August, songs. bring in elite Celtic (in this context, "Celtic" means Each evening, I attended different events "mostly Irish") musicians and craftspeople from Fail 2001: Cape Breton, hosted by Feis an Eilein at the Christmas Island around the world, and register hundreds of adult fire hall. One of the main attractions is their students for four days of intensive training Nova Scotia annual milling frolic. Milling frolics are known as ranging from beginner concertina to Irish song waulkings in Scotland and continue to be (sung in the original Irish language) to fiddling to By Heather Sparling practised in Cape Breton today. Originally, guitar accompaniment to tin whistle and flute, not milling frolics involved the shrinking of wool by to mention dancing and drawing and calligraphy ased on a number of trips to Cape Breton, I pounding it. Wool shrinkage was important for and even instrument repair. While the days are Bfeel relatively secure in asserting that tightening the weave of the wool, thereby making filled with classes, the evenings are filled with Scottish Gaelic culture in Cape Breton is not it warmer and more waterproof. Since it was a concerts by the instructors and, later, sessions so much visual as aural: the sounds of fiddles, step long and arduous process, neighbours were invited scattered around town. The whole enterprise dancers, and Gaelic singers. In the place of the for a night of singing and milling. Each person at wraps up on Friday when willing students take visual splendour of Highland Games, you'll find the table would take a turn singing a Gaelic song the stage on the opening afternoon of the Celtic ceilidhs, feisean, and milling frolics. "Ceilidh" is solo while everyone kept time with the beating of Roots Festival that runs throughout the weekend. the Gaelic word for visit and involves the the cloth and all would join in on the choruses. If it sounds overwhelming, I wouldn't community coming together for an evening of Although there is no practical need to shrink wool disagree. The instructors' roster was impressive if storytelling, songs, music, and dance. Some are anymore, Gaelic-speakers still look forward to not downright daunting: internationally widely advertised and are held at community fire milling frolics today as an opportunity to speak in recognized performers, here to share then- or legion halls. Others are spontaneous Gaelic and share their songs with each other. expertise and experience. The list included gatherings of neighbours in someone's kitchen. Now, most communities have a single milling Sharlene Wallace, Ken Perlman, Brian Taheny, "Feisean" are festivals where Gaelic culture is blanket that is used repeatedly and expressly for Lorretto Reid, Frank Edgley, Joe Grady, Patrick explained, performed, and transmitted. At the such events. Orceau, Ben Grossman, Julie Schryer and on and annual Christmas Island festival, Feis an Eilein, on. there is a pipers' ceilidh (at which both local and Milling frolics and other Scottish Gaelic Scottish pipers perform), several square dances, cultural events are held throughout Cape Breton "Who's Peter Horan?" I whispered to Jean AMari Usque... Gaelic language classes, song workshops, and step all summer long. They are also featured as part of Hewson, the accomplished singer and guitarist dance lessons. Although these events are open to each year's highly successful "Celtic Colours" from Newfoundland, one half of a duo with fiddler the public, including tourists, they are particularly festival, which will run October 5 to 13 this year. Christina Smith. We were sitting in the packed important for the education and promotion of Torontonians are also fortunate this year as the concert hall listening to a "concert" of Sligo tunes, Gaelic culture to Cape Bretoners, encouraging Celtic Studies Department at the University of which was really more bike an amazing session, children to learn the culture, and providing an Toronto is hosting a one-day conference called with Peter in the centre of it all. opportunity for more advanced students to teach "Words and Music of Cape Breton" on November Jean looked at me and just managed to keep rd and perform. 3 . Speakers and performers will include Mary the irony out of her voice as she informed me, This year, I attended both Feis an Eilein Jane Lamond, Jim Watson, Alistair MacLeod, and "Well, he's kind of a legend." Oops! I didn't know, events and a new, four-day Gaelic song workshop Cape Breton fiddlers Sandy Maclntyre and David but I do now. A learning experience. led by renowned Gaelic singer, Mary Jane Greenberg. But the aspect of the College that struck me Lamond. It was held in the nearby community of Heather Sparling is our web mistress. the most was how humbling it was to be a Iona at the Highland Village, an outdoor museum struggling beginner again. I can play a number of similar to Toronto's Pioneer Village. Mary Jane instruments reasonably well, but Frank Edgley's invited native Gaelic speakers and singers from Celtic College at Goderich, beginner concertina class brought me quickly to a the Island to speak about their singing standstill. It had nothing to do with the fact that experiences, and to share their songs with the Ontario the other members of the class were toting their students. We listened carefully in an attempt to beautiful hand made Lachenals and Stagis (and grasp, not only melody and pronunciation, but By Jean Mills even an Edgley) which towered, figuratively, over variation, ornamentation, and the more general my little red Hohner with its paper bellows and "Gaelic flavour" of their singing styles. Our he highlight of my summer was a week spent noisy buttons. No, it seemed to have more to do afternoons often ended with a little ceilidh, Tat the Celtic College in Goderich, Ontario. with the fact that I was the only one having involving any guests remaining and Jim Watson, Despite a heat wave that plastered our shirts trouble with the "pat the head and rub the an incredibly knowledgeable Gaelic speaker and to our backs and made contact with any kind of tummy" brainwork required. At the student singer on the Highland Village's staff. Students string and fretboard a sticky proposition, the concert on Friday afternoon I felt flight-or-fight could participate, but more often we simply experience was inspirational — and at times sweat break out when it was our class's turn to absorbed the Gaelic spoken, the stories told, and humbling. It's an exercise we should all play. My friends down on the grass watched with the songs sung. For the rest of our time, we were undertake at some point in our lives: to become a amusement as I struggled. Afterwards, safely off student again! stage, I laughed too. I have a lot of work to do if
The Canadian Folk Music BULLETIN de musique folklorique canadienne The Canadian Folk Music BULLETIN de musique folklorique canadienne 12 13
I'm going to make music with this particular percussion instruments from around the world. Friends fell around you; available on two CDs produced by Universite de instrument. Knowing this community as I do, this will be the Fear beset you at every turn; Moncton's Acadian Studies Centre: "Refrains et The Celtic College was a week of memorable first of many such demonstrations. Yet you fought like a veteran soldier; melodies de l'Ile-du-Prince-Edouard" and "Dans moments strung together like beads: standing on In celebration of Remembrance Day, Mary Yet you stood firm. un an et un jour. Contes de l'Ile-du-Prince the sidewalk outside the hotel one evening and and Friends Tea Room will be hosting a special Edouard". The field recordings featured on the watching through the window a session that was concert featuring 'Ceilidh Friends' who will be albums are from the Centre's folklore archives. To so packed with musicians and spectators that the singing traditional and contemporary war and Lo, how the years have passed order: hotel lobby was overflowing; a singing session at anti-war songs. There are always two or more While you lie deep in the ground; www.umoncton.ca/etudeacadiennes/center/pub the little pub next door, with perhaps forty voices artistic venues honouring this holiday in the Lo, how the precious fruits vend.html raised in multi-layered harmony; Frank Edgley Northern capital. A few years ago, Bob Of your brave deeds abound! playing amazingly quick polkas on stage one night MacQuarrie and Bill Gilday, two members ofthe We now, who look back, Georges Arsenault is a folklorist and coming to class the next day, shaking his Yellowknife band 'The Gumboots', composed a Lives tranquil and blessed, and author living in PEL head, bemused at' how slow they were; Irish song specifically for the occasion entitled, An Ode We who owe so much to you, musician Gear6id Ohallmhurain dressed in a to Valour, which is now played annually at one of We shall not forget. heavy blue robe while serving on the Panel of the venues. Fair men salute you; From Vancouver Experts during a rowdy episode of Celtic Jeopardy, That brings me to a sad note. Bob Free men live in your debt; looking every inch like Gandalf; duo James Fagan MacQuarrie will be leaving the Gumboots and the We who prize what valour won, and Nancy Kerr (he from Australia, she from North. He and his wife Irene will be moving south We shall not forget. Jon Bartlett and Rika Reubsaat Northumberland) bringing the house down with to Alberta in October. Bob joined the group four their evening concert; Ben Grossman on his brand years after its conception in 1984. His he Vancouver Folk Song Society is adding another regular night to its roster, a night new hurdy gurdy, accompanying Jean Hewson as contribution to the band has been tremendous. Moi"ra Cameron is a ballad singer T she sang a traditional French song from Bob wrote the lyrics for the majority of the ballads living in Yellowknife NT. dedicated to traditional music. This will take nd Newfoundland - the list is endless. It was an recorded on their three albums, often collaborating place on the 2 Wednesday of each month at 8 pm th amazing week. with Bill Gilday, who composes the music. Bob's at the Friends Meeting House, 1090 W 70 Ave., half a block west of Oak St., beginning 14 It was also exhausting! By the time Friday style of songwriting is distinctive, encapsulating News from P.E.I. November 200l. rolled around and I sat at the Festival's main the Spirit of the North, its history and its peoples, The definition of "traditional" will be kept stage listening to performances by musicians who in each song he writes. He will be sorely missed generously wide, in order to include an array of had been teachers all week, I was beat. One more by us all. (The Gumboots albums are: "Spirit of Georges Arsenault Australian sheep-shearing songs, and such Irish jig, I thought, and I'm going to keel over. the North" (1992), "Northern Tracks" (1994), and Canadian items as "The Squid-Jigging Ground", I couldn't stay for the festival weekend. My "Search for a Passage" (2000).) he 6th Folk-Acadie Festival at the Acadian with known authors, but not so wide as to include family expected me home to get ready for our T Museum in Miscouche was held from July 17 such other authors as the professional Cohen annual trip to Nova Scotia. That's all right, AN ODE TO VALOR to August 9. A new addition to the programme this year was the very successful "Veillees (Leonard), Rogers (Stan) or Lightfoot (Gordon). though, because I honestly don't think I could Lyrics by Bob MacQuarrie acadiennes" at which participated traditional There's always plenty of room for these "folk have absorbed much more. In fact, I think I'm Music by Bill Gilday singers, musicians and storytellers from various songs" at the regular first and third Wednesdays. going to be feeling the effects of my week at Celtic Bright as a sunbeam Island Acadian communities. Among the invited The Vancouver Ballad Group, after 18 months of College for quite some time. At the first light of the day; Fresh as a lively breeze performers were members ofthe celebrated Joe fairly regular monthly meetings, will fold into this Jean Mills is a dulcimer player from Guelph, Ontario. By the sea late in May; Bibienne Arsenault family from the Evangeline new setting, so we'll have a growing number of You were so young then, Region and the Chaisson fiddlers from Rollo Bay. ballads and ballad singers to share with those who Strong, sanguine and skilled; The 31st Acadian Festival of the Evangeline like to sing, or like to listen, to traditional song. You had a young love then, Region was held in Abram's Village over the Northern Report Not yet fulfilled. Labour Day weekend. As usual, many of the Jon Bartlett and Rilw Ruebsaat, both CSMT Board alumni, will host and coordinate the meets: contact them Your life was green then; concerts featured the best of Acadian fiddling and step dancing. Fiddler par excellence Eddy at Jon_Bartlett @ telus.net. Promise lay at your door. Arsenault, 80 years old, made his annual By Moira Cameron Then came a darkling cloud: appearance at the festival on Sunday afternoon as Summer has ended too soon in the North. You must go to war. Northern Ontario did a few of his children. The new local folk group Weare now gearing up for the long winter nights. "Celtitude", just home from a successful tour in This Fall, a celebration of music will be held at the France, was featured during the closing concert. Dianne Cameron Northern Arts and Cultural Centre in honour of You marched off to a distant land Like the well-known Island muscial group he highlight of the summer here is the annual International Music Day. It will be a night of Far from home's warm hearth and from those Northern Lights Festival Boreal, held in "Barachois", "Celtitude" is much inspired by the T mini-concerts and jamming; a showcase for many who loved you; lovely Bell Park on Lake Ramsey July 6 - 8. Acadian and Island musical tradition. Both styles of music and composition. Marched along with a brave pipeband This was the 30th festivaL and featured a broad popular groups performed a number of times this With Remembrance Day around the corner, To a raging war where the fighting proved diversity of music, story and dance from all over. summer at the Confederation Centre of the Arts in and in light of recent events in the USA, many you. Some of the many performers: Charlottetown. For mor information on Barachois, Yellowknifers are turning their thoughts to Peace. Rockets slashed at the black night sky; check: www barachois.com. • Leahy, originally from Lakefield Ont., with An impromptu gathering was held on the shores of Bullets whined as they hurtled by; their unique Canadian Celtic fusion Acadian folk music and folk tales recorded in Great Slave Lake where locals were 'Drumming Warriors cursed and the wounded cried; Prince Edward Island in the 1970s are now • Susan Aglukark from the far north for Peace', using a variety oftraditional drums and Courage fought and Promise died.
The Canadian Folk Music BULLETIN de musique folklorique canadienne The Canadian Folk Music BULLETIN de musique folklorique canadienne 12 13
I'm going to make music with this particular percussion instruments from around the world. Friends fell around you; available on two CDs produced by Universite de instrument. Knowing this community as I do, this will be the Fear beset you at every turn; Moncton's Acadian Studies Centre: "Refrains et The Celtic College was a week of memorable first of many such demonstrations. Yet you fought like a veteran soldier; melodies de l'Ile-du-Prince-Edouard" and "Dans moments strung together like beads: standing on In celebration of Remembrance Day, Mary Yet you stood firm. un an et un jour. Contes de l'Ile-du-Prince the sidewalk outside the hotel one evening and and Friends Tea Room will be hosting a special Edouard". The field recordings featured on the watching through the window a session that was concert featuring 'Ceilidh Friends' who will be albums are from the Centre's folklore archives. To so packed with musicians and spectators that the singing traditional and contemporary war and Lo, how the years have passed order: hotel lobby was overflowing; a singing session at anti-war songs. There are always two or more While you lie deep in the ground; www.umoncton.ca/etudeacadiennes/center/pub the little pub next door, with perhaps forty voices artistic venues honouring this holiday in the Lo, how the precious fruits vend.html raised in multi-layered harmony; Frank Edgley Northern capital. A few years ago, Bob Of your brave deeds abound! playing amazingly quick polkas on stage one night MacQuarrie and Bill Gilday, two members ofthe We now, who look back, Georges Arsenault is a folklorist and coming to class the next day, shaking his Yellowknife band 'The Gumboots', composed a Lives tranquil and blessed, and author living in PEL head, bemused at' how slow they were; Irish song specifically for the occasion entitled, An Ode We who owe so much to you, musician Gear6id Ohallmhurain dressed in a to Valour, which is now played annually at one of We shall not forget. heavy blue robe while serving on the Panel of the venues. Fair men salute you; From Vancouver Experts during a rowdy episode of Celtic Jeopardy, That brings me to a sad note. Bob Free men live in your debt; looking every inch like Gandalf; duo James Fagan MacQuarrie will be leaving the Gumboots and the We who prize what valour won, and Nancy Kerr (he from Australia, she from North. He and his wife Irene will be moving south We shall not forget. Jon Bartlett and Rika Reubsaat Northumberland) bringing the house down with to Alberta in October. Bob joined the group four their evening concert; Ben Grossman on his brand years after its conception in 1984. His he Vancouver Folk Song Society is adding another regular night to its roster, a night new hurdy gurdy, accompanying Jean Hewson as contribution to the band has been tremendous. Moi"ra Cameron is a ballad singer T she sang a traditional French song from Bob wrote the lyrics for the majority of the ballads living in Yellowknife NT. dedicated to traditional music. This will take nd Newfoundland - the list is endless. It was an recorded on their three albums, often collaborating place on the 2 Wednesday of each month at 8 pm th amazing week. with Bill Gilday, who composes the music. Bob's at the Friends Meeting House, 1090 W 70 Ave., half a block west of Oak St., beginning 14 It was also exhausting! By the time Friday style of songwriting is distinctive, encapsulating News from P.E.I. November 200l. rolled around and I sat at the Festival's main the Spirit of the North, its history and its peoples, The definition of "traditional" will be kept stage listening to performances by musicians who in each song he writes. He will be sorely missed generously wide, in order to include an array of had been teachers all week, I was beat. One more by us all. (The Gumboots albums are: "Spirit of Georges Arsenault Australian sheep-shearing songs, and such Irish jig, I thought, and I'm going to keel over. the North" (1992), "Northern Tracks" (1994), and Canadian items as "The Squid-Jigging Ground", I couldn't stay for the festival weekend. My "Search for a Passage" (2000).) he 6th Folk-Acadie Festival at the Acadian with known authors, but not so wide as to include family expected me home to get ready for our T Museum in Miscouche was held from July 17 such other authors as the professional Cohen annual trip to Nova Scotia. That's all right, AN ODE TO VALOR to August 9. A new addition to the programme this year was the very successful "Veillees (Leonard), Rogers (Stan) or Lightfoot (Gordon). though, because I honestly don't think I could Lyrics by Bob MacQuarrie acadiennes" at which participated traditional There's always plenty of room for these "folk have absorbed much more. In fact, I think I'm Music by Bill Gilday singers, musicians and storytellers from various songs" at the regular first and third Wednesdays. going to be feeling the effects of my week at Celtic Bright as a sunbeam Island Acadian communities. Among the invited The Vancouver Ballad Group, after 18 months of College for quite some time. At the first light of the day; Fresh as a lively breeze performers were members ofthe celebrated Joe fairly regular monthly meetings, will fold into this Jean Mills is a dulcimer player from Guelph, Ontario. By the sea late in May; Bibienne Arsenault family from the Evangeline new setting, so we'll have a growing number of You were so young then, Region and the Chaisson fiddlers from Rollo Bay. ballads and ballad singers to share with those who Strong, sanguine and skilled; The 31st Acadian Festival of the Evangeline like to sing, or like to listen, to traditional song. You had a young love then, Region was held in Abram's Village over the Northern Report Not yet fulfilled. Labour Day weekend. As usual, many of the Jon Bartlett and Rilw Ruebsaat, both CSMT Board alumni, will host and coordinate the meets: contact them Your life was green then; concerts featured the best of Acadian fiddling and step dancing. Fiddler par excellence Eddy at Jon_Bartlett @ telus.net. Promise lay at your door. Arsenault, 80 years old, made his annual By Moira Cameron Then came a darkling cloud: appearance at the festival on Sunday afternoon as Summer has ended too soon in the North. You must go to war. Northern Ontario did a few of his children. The new local folk group Weare now gearing up for the long winter nights. "Celtitude", just home from a successful tour in This Fall, a celebration of music will be held at the France, was featured during the closing concert. Dianne Cameron Northern Arts and Cultural Centre in honour of You marched off to a distant land Like the well-known Island muscial group he highlight of the summer here is the annual International Music Day. It will be a night of Far from home's warm hearth and from those Northern Lights Festival Boreal, held in "Barachois", "Celtitude" is much inspired by the T mini-concerts and jamming; a showcase for many who loved you; lovely Bell Park on Lake Ramsey July 6 - 8. Acadian and Island musical tradition. Both styles of music and composition. Marched along with a brave pipeband This was the 30th festivaL and featured a broad popular groups performed a number of times this With Remembrance Day around the corner, To a raging war where the fighting proved diversity of music, story and dance from all over. summer at the Confederation Centre of the Arts in and in light of recent events in the USA, many you. Some of the many performers: Charlottetown. For mor information on Barachois, Yellowknifers are turning their thoughts to Peace. Rockets slashed at the black night sky; check: www barachois.com. • Leahy, originally from Lakefield Ont., with An impromptu gathering was held on the shores of Bullets whined as they hurtled by; their unique Canadian Celtic fusion Acadian folk music and folk tales recorded in Great Slave Lake where locals were 'Drumming Warriors cursed and the wounded cried; Prince Edward Island in the 1970s are now • Susan Aglukark from the far north for Peace', using a variety oftraditional drums and Courage fought and Promise died.
The Canadian Folk Music BULLETIN de musique folklorique canadienne The Canadian Folk Music BULLETIN de musique folklorique canadienne 14 15
The Calgary Folk Club (known has "the • De-Ba-Jeh-Mu-Jig (which means Out" section on Fridays sometimes has that The icing on the cake was doing a gig in Halifax Calgary") was founded in 1971 and is still going 'storytellers' in Oji-Cree) Theatre Group information as well, but tends to be less reliable. with Clary Croft at the "Word on the Street" strong. It was patterned after the Jug of Punch from Manitoulin Island Lastly, a website maintained by Barrie McCombs, festival, for writers, artists, etc, where Clary sets folk club in Birmingham, England, where one of • Hart Rouge, wonderful Franco-Canadian address acs.ucalgary.ca/bmccombs/calfolk, up a tent with a good sound system and invites the founders had been a regular. It has undergone and roots music maintains a remarkably complete listing of folk traditional singers from the Maritimes to perform. 8 very few changes over the years, in fact four Njacko Backo and Kalimba Kalimba, from music events in Calgary and to some extent Since he is Helen Creighton's biographer and Africa via Montreal and Toronto members of the house band are original. Later, elsewhere in Alberta. All these sources, of course, collection organizer, he gets to sing a lot of Helen's other clubs were founded, following the same • Mauricio Montecinos, a Sudbury local depend on the diligence of the clubs' organizers in songs. His latest CD, "Still the Song Lives On", is model as the Calgary; currently five such folk originally from Chile making the information available and of the worth listening to - he has a beautiful untrained . clubs are operating, with few variations on the newspaper's employees in getting it into print. voice, perfect diction, knows the good songs to • The quintessential Jackie Washington, for original pattern. th Another club, Celtic Folk, sprang into pick, and it is a pleasure listening to him. his 17 time at the festival! The laws of Alberta at the time didn't permit existence in 1987, patterning itself on clubs in Since I did my programme with a lovely • And my favourite, the one, the only, the folk clubs in Calgary to emulate British folk clubs Northern Ireland. It operates only four times a traditional singer doing the half hour ahead of me superb balladeer-storyteller-musician from by operating in the back rooms of pubs, thus the year, and is more determinedly grassroots than and an outstanding performer after me who came Yellowknife - Moira Cameron (cheers from Calgary clubs rent premises in community halls. the other clubs. It has no house band, and no paid down from the Miramichi Folk Festival - not a prejudiced mother in front row)! The Calgary has used four venues since it was performers. An evening may consist of as many as traditional singer, but a singer of traditional folk In August, our long-running series of house founded, moving from smaller to larger spaces as nine short sets, although sometimes experienced songs, if you get my meaning. Clary introduced me ceilidhs throughout the greater Sudbury region it became more established and audiences became groups may do longer performances. It includes as a "thorn between two roses"! continued with a ceilidh in Azilda, just north of larger; other clubs have had similar experiences. dance demonstrations and storytellers as well as Sudbury. The September ceilidh was hosted even The Rocky Mountain Folk Club came along in Merrick Jarrett is Canada's revered "old folkie". music. Like the other clubs, though, it is further north in Onaping, and in -October, it moves 1975, the Saturday Night Special Folk Club began volunteer-run, and operates its own bar between south again to Chelmsford. This season, the in 1976, the Nickelodeon Music Club in 1980, and rd sets. Celtic Folk depends on word of mouth, and monthly ceilidhs are once again on the 3 the Bow Valley Music Club in 1992. A few other can't be found in the newspaper listings, but is on Saturday every month, and everyone is welcome. clubs have come and gone over the years. the website mentioned above; or phone Ron Duffy, Anyone passing through Sudbury at the right time The Calgary operates every second Friday (403) 287-7014. is also encouraged to attend - just check with me during the season (September to April), the Rocky Other than the folk clubs, the Foothills for directions to the hosting house. approximately once a month, also on Fridays; the Bluegrass Society sometimes sponsors bluegrass Performers on tour are also welcome to stop other three clubs run on Saturday nights, every concerts, usually on Sunday afternoons, and the in on their way from gig to gig - Mother Cameron's second week or so. Irish Cultural Centre puts on concerts by touring Home for Wayward Folkies has much room, and A typical evening at a Calgary folk club will Celtic musicians. A recent trend is for British-style we can often get a house concert going on very begin with a set by the house band (only the Nick pubs to host Celtic sessions, but these often are short notice to help subsidize the journey. Taking has no house band, although it had one for the not listed in the papers, and tend to fluctuate from us up on this offer this month, Pierre Schryer and first years of its existence). Then will follow guest week to week and month to month, as ownership his band will be playing a house concert here on sets. There may be two sets by a main guest (a and management of the establishments is volatile. Wednesday, October 17. touring group or individual or a high-level local), Our local branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri or two single sets by different acts. Sometimes a Eireann remains very active, offering weekly I'm involved with a couple of grassroots club will have three shorter sets, or a shorter events which depend solely on word of mouth, the dance classes and learning opportunities for Irish opening act and two sets by a main guest. The music and language. All were very excited about Calgary Singers' Circle and a contra dance group. classic pattern would be: house band, opener, two Both take place on Saturday nights about once a the 2001 North American Tour "Echoes of Erin", sets by main guest, although the classic pattern is which was scheduled to visit Sudbury also on month. You can contact me for information on not always followed nowadays. these by phoning (403) 230-0340. Wednesday October 17. Unfortunately, due to the All the clubs have food and beverages recent devastating events of September, this tour (including alcohol) available during the breaks John Leeder is the banjo-playing secretary of CSTM, and has been cancelled. between the sets. The club runs the bar itself, the Bulletin's Review Editor. helping to contribute to its finances, but the bar is Dianne Cameron is a folk musician living in Sudbury, closed during the sets, so that distractions are and the proud mother of Moira Cameron (in case you What I Did on my Summer hadn't noticed). minimized. All the clubs are operated by volunteers, Holidays creating a pool of workers who can also be drawn Alberta upon by the annual folk festivals of the region. Merrick Jarrett I won't clutter up this column with dates, John Leeder addresses and phone numbers, since some good i! We have arrived, from one of the best sources exist for finding out when the clubs are Hvacations we have had in years. The weather, 'm going to give you a brief overview of the operating and who is performing. The Thursday both in New Hampshire, where we spent a ICalgary situation; those who've read it all edition of the Calgary Herald includes a "Hit List" few days with my wife Mary's cousin, and before over the years, please bear with me; I'm in its Arts & Style section, which usually has Duncan's Cove, near Halifax, was exceptional - assuming there are readers out there who are less information on the folk clubs as well as other folk only one day of rain during the five weeks. familiar with our situation. music events in the city; the Calgary Sun's "Get
The Canadian Folk Music BULLETIN de musique folklorique canadienne The Canadian Folk Music BULLETIN de musique folklorique canadienne 14 15
The Calgary Folk Club (known has "the • De-Ba-Jeh-Mu-Jig (which means Out" section on Fridays sometimes has that The icing on the cake was doing a gig in Halifax Calgary") was founded in 1971 and is still going 'storytellers' in Oji-Cree) Theatre Group information as well, but tends to be less reliable. with Clary Croft at the "Word on the Street" strong. It was patterned after the Jug of Punch from Manitoulin Island Lastly, a website maintained by Barrie McCombs, festival, for writers, artists, etc, where Clary sets folk club in Birmingham, England, where one of • Hart Rouge, wonderful Franco-Canadian address acs.ucalgary.ca/bmccombs/calfolk, up a tent with a good sound system and invites the founders had been a regular. It has undergone and roots music maintains a remarkably complete listing of folk traditional singers from the Maritimes to perform. 8 very few changes over the years, in fact four Njacko Backo and Kalimba Kalimba, from music events in Calgary and to some extent Since he is Helen Creighton's biographer and Africa via Montreal and Toronto members of the house band are original. Later, elsewhere in Alberta. All these sources, of course, collection organizer, he gets to sing a lot of Helen's other clubs were founded, following the same • Mauricio Montecinos, a Sudbury local depend on the diligence of the clubs' organizers in songs. His latest CD, "Still the Song Lives On", is model as the Calgary; currently five such folk originally from Chile making the information available and of the worth listening to - he has a beautiful untrained . clubs are operating, with few variations on the newspaper's employees in getting it into print. voice, perfect diction, knows the good songs to • The quintessential Jackie Washington, for original pattern. th Another club, Celtic Folk, sprang into pick, and it is a pleasure listening to him. his 17 time at the festival! The laws of Alberta at the time didn't permit existence in 1987, patterning itself on clubs in Since I did my programme with a lovely • And my favourite, the one, the only, the folk clubs in Calgary to emulate British folk clubs Northern Ireland. It operates only four times a traditional singer doing the half hour ahead of me superb balladeer-storyteller-musician from by operating in the back rooms of pubs, thus the year, and is more determinedly grassroots than and an outstanding performer after me who came Yellowknife - Moira Cameron (cheers from Calgary clubs rent premises in community halls. the other clubs. It has no house band, and no paid down from the Miramichi Folk Festival - not a prejudiced mother in front row)! The Calgary has used four venues since it was performers. An evening may consist of as many as traditional singer, but a singer of traditional folk In August, our long-running series of house founded, moving from smaller to larger spaces as nine short sets, although sometimes experienced songs, if you get my meaning. Clary introduced me ceilidhs throughout the greater Sudbury region it became more established and audiences became groups may do longer performances. It includes as a "thorn between two roses"! continued with a ceilidh in Azilda, just north of larger; other clubs have had similar experiences. dance demonstrations and storytellers as well as Sudbury. The September ceilidh was hosted even The Rocky Mountain Folk Club came along in Merrick Jarrett is Canada's revered "old folkie". music. Like the other clubs, though, it is further north in Onaping, and in -October, it moves 1975, the Saturday Night Special Folk Club began volunteer-run, and operates its own bar between south again to Chelmsford. This season, the in 1976, the Nickelodeon Music Club in 1980, and rd sets. Celtic Folk depends on word of mouth, and monthly ceilidhs are once again on the 3 the Bow Valley Music Club in 1992. A few other can't be found in the newspaper listings, but is on Saturday every month, and everyone is welcome. clubs have come and gone over the years. the website mentioned above; or phone Ron Duffy, Anyone passing through Sudbury at the right time The Calgary operates every second Friday (403) 287-7014. is also encouraged to attend - just check with me during the season (September to April), the Rocky Other than the folk clubs, the Foothills for directions to the hosting house. approximately once a month, also on Fridays; the Bluegrass Society sometimes sponsors bluegrass Performers on tour are also welcome to stop other three clubs run on Saturday nights, every concerts, usually on Sunday afternoons, and the in on their way from gig to gig - Mother Cameron's second week or so. Irish Cultural Centre puts on concerts by touring Home for Wayward Folkies has much room, and A typical evening at a Calgary folk club will Celtic musicians. A recent trend is for British-style we can often get a house concert going on very begin with a set by the house band (only the Nick pubs to host Celtic sessions, but these often are short notice to help subsidize the journey. Taking has no house band, although it had one for the not listed in the papers, and tend to fluctuate from us up on this offer this month, Pierre Schryer and first years of its existence). Then will follow guest week to week and month to month, as ownership his band will be playing a house concert here on sets. There may be two sets by a main guest (a and management of the establishments is volatile. Wednesday, October 17. touring group or individual or a high-level local), Our local branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri or two single sets by different acts. Sometimes a Eireann remains very active, offering weekly I'm involved with a couple of grassroots club will have three shorter sets, or a shorter events which depend solely on word of mouth, the dance classes and learning opportunities for Irish opening act and two sets by a main guest. The music and language. All were very excited about Calgary Singers' Circle and a contra dance group. classic pattern would be: house band, opener, two Both take place on Saturday nights about once a the 2001 North American Tour "Echoes of Erin", sets by main guest, although the classic pattern is which was scheduled to visit Sudbury also on month. You can contact me for information on not always followed nowadays. these by phoning (403) 230-0340. Wednesday October 17. Unfortunately, due to the All the clubs have food and beverages recent devastating events of September, this tour (including alcohol) available during the breaks John Leeder is the banjo-playing secretary of CSTM, and has been cancelled. between the sets. The club runs the bar itself, the Bulletin's Review Editor. helping to contribute to its finances, but the bar is Dianne Cameron is a folk musician living in Sudbury, closed during the sets, so that distractions are and the proud mother of Moira Cameron (in case you What I Did on my Summer hadn't noticed). minimized. All the clubs are operated by volunteers, Holidays creating a pool of workers who can also be drawn Alberta upon by the annual folk festivals of the region. Merrick Jarrett I won't clutter up this column with dates, John Leeder addresses and phone numbers, since some good i! We have arrived, from one of the best sources exist for finding out when the clubs are Hvacations we have had in years. The weather, 'm going to give you a brief overview of the operating and who is performing. The Thursday both in New Hampshire, where we spent a ICalgary situation; those who've read it all edition of the Calgary Herald includes a "Hit List" few days with my wife Mary's cousin, and before over the years, please bear with me; I'm in its Arts & Style section, which usually has Duncan's Cove, near Halifax, was exceptional - assuming there are readers out there who are less information on the folk clubs as well as other folk only one day of rain during the five weeks. familiar with our situation. music events in the city; the Calgary Sun's "Get
The Canadian Folk Music BULLETIN de musique folklorique canadienne The Canadian Folk Music BULLETIN de musique folklorique canadienne 16 17
John Leeder, Review Editor
Please send your reviews, or items to be reviewed, to John Leeder, 224 20th Avenue NW, Calgary AB, Canada, T2M 1C2.
All the items listed below have come to us since the last issue. Some will be reviewed in upcoming issues; others are there so you'll know them.
Books
Clary Croft. Helen Creighton, Canada's First the title, a few words of the first line, or FOLK SONG and BROADSIDE sometimes just a striking phrase from the Lady of Folklore. Nimbus Publishing Ltd., 3731 INDEX chorus. The user can ascertain, with a few Mackintosh St., P.O. Box 9301, Sta. A, Halifax, key-strokes, whether a song is rare or N.S. B3K 5N5;
The Canadian Folk Music BULLETIN de musique folklorique canadienne The Canadian Folk Music BULLETIN de musique folklorique canadienne 16 17
John Leeder, Review Editor
Please send your reviews, or items to be reviewed, to John Leeder, 224 20th Avenue NW, Calgary AB, Canada, T2M 1C2.
All the items listed below have come to us since the last issue. Some will be reviewed in upcoming issues; others are there so you'll know them.
Books
Clary Croft. Helen Creighton, Canada's First the title, a few words of the first line, or FOLK SONG and BROADSIDE sometimes just a striking phrase from the Lady of Folklore. Nimbus Publishing Ltd., 3731 INDEX chorus. The user can ascertain, with a few Mackintosh St., P.O. Box 9301, Sta. A, Halifax, key-strokes, whether a song is rare or N.S. B3K 5N5;
The Canadian Folk Music BULLETIN de musique folklorique canadienne The Canadian Folk Music BULLETIN de musique folklorique canadienne 16 17
John Leeder, Review Editor
Please send your reviews, or items to be reviewed, to John Leeder, 224 20th Avenue NW, Calgary AB, Canada, T2M 1C2.
All the items listed below have come to us since the last issue. Some will be reviewed in upcoming issues; others are there so you'll know them.
Books
Clary Croft. Helen Creighton, Canada's First the title, a few words of the first line, or FOLK SONG and BROADSIDE sometimes just a striking phrase from the Lady of Folklore. Nimbus Publishing Ltd., 3731 INDEX chorus. The user can ascertain, with a few Mackintosh St., P.O. Box 9301, Sta. A, Halifax, key-strokes, whether a song is rare or N.S. B3K 5N5;
The Canadian Folk Music BULLETIN de musique folklorique canadienne The Canadian Folk Music BULLETIN de musique folklorique canadienne