Nova Scotia Connections-Boston, June 1 & 2 07

[Joe]

Come Out and Celebrate Nova Scotia’s and Massachusetts’ Common Roots at Copley Square on June 1-2, 2007

The Nova Scotia Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage in cooperation with the Boston Parks Department are introducing Connections, a kick-off event to this year’s ParkArts program.

The Nova Scotia Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage will provide toe-tapping entertainment featuring Celtic music, highland dancing and a special feature where Bostonians can search online with the Nova Scotia Archives to discover their Nova Scotia roots.

Come and discover and celebrate the rich connections between Nova Scotia and Boston. Friday, June 1, 2007 Noon to 2 p.m. & 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, June 2, 2007 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. (Times are subject to change) at Copley Square, Boston.

This event is free and open to the public. For more information about Nova Scotia or the event, go to www.novascotia.com

For visitor information visit the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau at www.bostonusa.com or call our toll-free number 1-888-733-2678.

www.bostonusa.com/images/admin/logos/Connections.htm

[Adam]

I'll be there. :-)

[Joe]

adamplunkett said:

I'll be there. :-)

Great !! Somehow I knew...I thought about you when I was posting the news.

I hope to have specific performance times for you shortly.

Cheers,
Joe

[Adam]

I wouldnt miss something just 20 minutes away...and Free. :-)

[Adam]

I think I am the only Bostonian here but just in case I'm not, here is the info on this event from today's Boston Globe:

Performers include:
ANDREA BEATON, Fiddle, Stepdancer: One of Cape Breton's most promising young fiddlers
BRIAN DOYLE, Guitar: With 30 years of music performance under his belt, Brian has performed with countless Cape Breton greats including Natalie MacMaster, Ashley MacIsaac and Howie MacDonald.
KELLY MACARTHUR, Stepdancer: For the last 18 years, Kelly has been teaching dance to hundreds of students at the Gaelic College of Celtic Arts in St. Ann’s, Nova Scotia
MATT MACISAAC, Piper, Whistles, Banjo: Following his traditional lineage as a piper, Matt is a champion of several different instruments.
WENDY MACISAAC, Fiddle, Piano, Stepdancer: Wendy’s career as stepdancer began at 4 and she is one of the most sought after artists in Cape Breton
CIARAN & FIONA MACGILLIVRAY: A brother and sister duo, both sing and stepdance, and each is a multi-instrumentalist
SABRA MACGILLIVRAY, Dancer: A champion highland dancer, step dancer and a gifted musician
TROY MACGILLIVRAY, Piano, Fiddle, Stepdancer: Whether playing piano or fiddle, or showcasing his stepdancing capabilities, Troy certainly displays intense commitment to the Celtic heritage he inherited from his Highland ancestors.
SCOTT MACMILLAN, Music director and Guitar: Scott has a stellar reputation in Nova Scotia and abroad for his unusual versatility working in the fields of classical, pop, jazz, blues and Celtic music.

Additional entertainment include:
• Four members of the 78th Highlanders from the Halifax Citadel including a piper, a drummer and two guards
• Derek Harrison with the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic to provide rope making demonstrations
• Mac and Rosemary MacIsaac with MacIsaac Kiltmakers to demonstrate the tradition of making kilts
• Genealogical Expert, Dr. Allan Marble to give a lecture entitled “The Nova Scotia – New England Connection from the 18th to the 20th Centuries.” Staff of the Nova Scotia Public Archives will be at hand with their online products and searchable database to allow Bostonians to make their “connections” with Nova Scotia.

The event - and a picture of Fiona and Ciaran - is on the front page of the Glove "Sidekick" a guide to what's going on in the city.

[faerie]

interesting, I wonder why claire and bruce werent there, thanks for the article adam, hmm wonder if the other 2 macgillivray's are any relation to Fiona and Ciaran, I know its a popular name though...

Tia

[Adam]

Tia,

The last time they were in Boston (for the Christmas Tree lighting) it was just Fiona and Ciaran also. I also noticed that 2/5th of Beolach is there but not the whole band.

I am going tomorrow afternoon....I'll let everyone know how it goes!

[Joe]

Hello Adam!

Have a great time at this on Saturday!

Cheers,
Joe

BTW...here's a connection between Boston :smile_USA: and Nova Scotia :smile_Canada:

Summary:
The Province Nova Scotia Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage will provide toe-tapping entertainment featuring Celtic music, highland dancing and other activities.

More Information:
The connections between Boston and Nova Scotia go back to the 18th century. From a Bostonian militia defeating the French at the Fortress at Louisbourg in 1747, white and black Loyalists fleeing there in 1775, the final station on the Underground Railroad, a stop over for the Irish fleeing famine, to the many business relationships of today, all contribute in making the people of Boston and Nova Scotia related, not just through a shared history but in many cases by blood.

[Adam]

I went to the Nova Scotia Connections in Boston this afternoon. A good time! It was a big tent with all sorts of brocheres, people dressed in full regalia, a guy teaching knot tying, and lots of great music. There weren't concerts but there would be a set of tunes by a few people and then a few by the next set and so on until 6 PM. While there (1-4) Fiona and Ciaran played "Balinderry", "I Know Who Is Sick", "Calling On Song" and an instrumental. I think that's it....with all the changing back and forth it gets hard to keep track! Lots of fun and lots of great dancing! All of the muscians were great. Here are some pics:




And here is Wendy MacIsaac and Troy MacGillavray (no relation):


Also there is lots of great music from today's performers available for free from Nova Scotia's website for limited time. This includes some stuff by the Cottars and it's all really good. The link is www.novascotia.com/tunes.

Stupid question: Have they recorded "Balinderry"? It's really pretty song and I didn't recognize it. If they haven't, then there's is an exclusive recording of it on that link.

Adam

[faerie]

Thanks for the pictures, and the link isnt working, I dont know if its just now, me, or if its a wrong link? it says the page cannot be displayed, and hey no question is stupid ...yes they recorded Balinderry, its on the first cd, I like that one, its very simple and pretty.

Tia

[mott]

Link works, just leave out the period so that it's
www.novascotia.com/tunes

[Adam]

Thanks mott. I was tired when I posted last night. :-)

Once you get to the link, click the download button on the left side to download the tunes.

[elizarose]

adamplunkett said:

I went to the Nova Scotia Connections in Boston this afternoon. A good time! It was a big tent with all sorts of brocheres, people dressed in full regalia, a guy teaching knot tying, and lots of great music. There weren't concerts but there would be a set of tunes by a few people and then a few by the next set and so on until 6 PM. While there (1-4) Fiona and Ciaran played "Balinderry", "I Know Who Is Sick", "Calling On Song" and an instrumental. I think that's it....with all the changing back and forth it gets hard to keep track! Lots of fun and lots of great dancing! All of the muscians were great. Here are some pics:




And here is Wendy MacIsaac and Troy MacGillavray (no relation):


Also there is lots of great music from today's performers available for free from Nova Scotia's website for limited time. This includes some stuff by the Cottars and it's all really good. The link is www.novascotia.com/tunes.

Stupid question: Have they recorded "Balinderry"? It's really pretty song and I didn't recognize it. If they haven't, then there's is an exclusive recording of it on that link.

Adam

I noticed in the pics that Claire and Bruce are not visible. Were they there and you just didn't get a pic, or were they not there at all?

[Joe]

Hi Adam!

Thanks SO much for including photos with your report. Sounds like you had a great time !! I'll try that Nova Scotia tunes site.

Cheers,
Joe

[Adam]

Eliza,

Claire and Bruce were not there. They didn't have any groups but a slew of muscians who were mixed and matched to play together. (For instance, there were a few members of the group CP Beolach there but not the whole band.)

Joe,

You're welcome with the pics. I used my fancy work camera phone. I am sure they would love to know I posted that on the internet. :-)

I highly reccomend the tunes for download. Obviously, the Cottars' tunes aren't new but if you like traditional fiddle tunes check Andrea Beaton, Wendy MacIsaac, and Troy MacGillivray's tracks on the site. There is also a very good pipe player there who I saw this weekend.