Demonstrations, Concert Series Kick Off Highland Village Museum's Summer Season

The Highland Village Museum is kicking off its summer season with live music and demonstrations in a showcase of Gaelic culture.

On Saturday, June 11, the museum will host traditional wool-processing demonstrations. Cash's Carding Mill Day will begin with a demonstration by wool expert Sarah Nettleton, who will shear three sheep and demonstrate fleece throwing, skirting and rolling. She will also give a lecture on wool processing.

Members from the Cash family will also be on hand to talk about the mill and Vicki Quimby, a textile researcher and animator, will give a demonstration on using natural dyes to add colour to cloth and yarns.

On Thursday, June 16, Highland Village Museum's 2011 concert series kicks off with Suas E! This special concert features youth performers from Sgoil Mhic Fhraing a' Chaolais/Rankin School of the Narrows and Féis Mhàbu, with special guest fiddler Kristen Shaw.

Throughout the season, visitors to the museum will experience Gaelic folklife as costumed animators share stories of Nova Scotia gaels, Gaelic language, culture, crafts and daily life. This season will see the introduction of role playing animation, new interpretive signs, and hands-on opportunities for visitors.

Highland Village will also host many special events and programs including concerts, cultural workshops, children's programming, and candlelight tours.

For information on event times and admission fees call 902-725-2272, e-mail highlandvillage@gov.ns.ca, or visit www.visithighlandvillage.ca .