Gaelic Song Event At Highland Village Museum, Iona
Celebrate Gaelic Cultural Awareness Month and Cape Breton''s Gaelic song tradition at a Gaelic song féis on Saturday, May 19, at 1 p.m. at Highland Village Museum in Iona, Cape Breton.
Hosted by the Nova Scotia Highland Village Society, this first annual Féis a'' Chlachain (Village Festival) is community-based in its concept and planning. All ages are welcome.
(For those who don’t speak Gaelic, the name is pronounced faysh ah chloch’-in, using the unique Gaelic “ch” sound made by vibrating the back of your tongue on the back of your mouth.)
The Iona Peninsula and surrounding area have been home to Gaelic song since its settlement by Gaels from the Isle of Barra in 1802. Gaelic singing continues to define the community''s cultural legacy.
Songs for the program have been selected by a committee of Iona- area Gaelic singers who have long experience in the heart of the tradition.
Instructors for the day are old-time stylists Maxie MacNeil, Peter MacLean, Jamie MacNeil, Mickey MacNeil, brothers Neil and John Gillis, Beth MacNeil and Jim Watson. All are well-known for their outstanding presentations of Cape Breton Gaelic singing.
Workshops included in the Féis a'' Chlachain will introduce participants to Gaelic songs, such as milling songs, a humorous song about a trip to Port Hood and a sailing song. Cape Breton compositions and old favorites from Scotland will be included. Participants will learn about the songs'' stories and backgrounds, as well as verses and choruses.
In the final workshop, everyone will learn the choruses to milling songs in preparation for a milling frolic at 8 p.m.
Milling frolics were a traditional activity in Gaelic homes of the past. Gaelic songs lightened the tedious task of shrinking newly woven cloth into something suitable for garment making. About a dozen people thumped the damp woolen cloth around a large wooden table while Gaelic songs were sung.
Admission for the féis is $20 for adults and $10 for students. The fee includes four workshops, tea breaks, supper and the milling frolic. Individual workshops can be attended for a $5 fee.
The milling frolic, at 8 p.m., costs $4 at the door. All ages are welcome to join in the activity around the table and sing traditional choruses.
The Highland Village Museum is at Hector''s Point, Iona, on Route 223. The 40-acre site overlooks beautiful Caolas Mór nam Barrach (Barra Strait) on the Bras d''Or.
The village is committed to advancing Cape Breton''s living Gaelic language and heritage through programming and community support. The Highland Village is a part of the Nova Scotia Museum, Department of Tourism & Culture.
For more information, call Highland Village at 902-725-2272 or e- mail [email protected] for more information about Féis a'' Chlachain and other museum activities.