Second Ceilidh: July 11, 2019

The second ceilidh of our 2019 summer ceilidh series will be Thursday, July 11th at 7 PM at the museum.

This week our ceilidh will feature:

Francis MacIsaac – Fiddle

Cathy Hawley – Piano

Bill MacDonald – Guitar & Vocals

Marie Aucoin – Vocals

Admission is $5. Tea and light refreshments will be served following the show.

We look forward to seeing you at the museum!

First Ceilidh of 2019!

The first ceilidh of our 2019 summer ceilidh series will be Thursday, July 4th at 7 PM at the museum.

Our opening ceilidh will feature:

Joe MacMaster – Fiddle

Cathy Hawley – Piano

Peter MacKenzie – Guitar & Vocals

Admission is $5. Tea and light refreshments will be served following the show.

We look forward to seeing you at a Chestico Museum ceilidh this summer!

Celtic Colours 2019

The 2019 Celtic Colours line up has been announced! The Chestico Museum is pleased to once again be hosting two events during the Festival.

On Tuesday, October 15th at 2 PM, a Storytelling Session entitled Belles and Beaus – Old Time Weddings will be held at the museum. From the betrothal to the honeymoon, we will have stories and tales of traditional Cape Breton marriage customs including the music, dancing, feasting and shivarees. Admission is $10 and refreshments will be served.

Prior to our Storytelling session, you can purchase a delicious soup and sandwich lunch for just $10 at St. Stephen’s Church Hall from beginning at 11 AM.

A roast beef dinner with all the trimmings is available that evening at St. Peter’s Parish Hall beginning at 4:30 PM. The meal is sponsored by the Port Hood Knights of Columbus. The cost is $17.50 for adults and $8 for children under 12.

Our Close to the Floor show will be Wednesday, October 16th at 7:30 PM at Strathspey Performing Arts Centre in Mabou. Cape Breton’s traditional music has always been closely associated with dancing. And the dancing, like the music, has typically been passed down through generations. The highest compliment that can be paid to a Cape Breton step dancer is to say they are “close to the floor”. Tonight’s concert will celebrate this local style alongside dance from the Québécois, Ottawa Valley and Appalachian traditions. Accompanied by fiddles, pipes, and guitar, the dancers gathered here will delight and amaze with their steps and style. They just might inspire you to get up for a step or two yourself. Among the performers are Nic Gareiss, Mairi Campbell, April Verch Band, The Pellerin Brother, Pierre Chartrand, Chartrand Babineau, Dawn & Helen MacDonald & Brenley Gillis, Stephen & Lewis MacLennan, Iain MacQuarrie, John MacLean, Cailean MacLean, Kenneth MacKenzie, Kolten MacDonell and Orianna MacNeil.

Ticket prices are $35/$30 and are available through the Celtic Colours site and a limited number at the Chestico Museum. Tickets go on sale Tuesday, July 9th at 10 AM ADT. More information on tickets can be accessed here.

We look forward to seeing you this year during Celtic Colours!

2019 Strawberry Social

The Chestico Tea Ladies will host an old-fashioned Strawberry Social, Sunday, July 7, 2019 from 2:00 until 4:00 PM at the Museum.

Come and enjoy fresh strawberries, cream, sweets and tea on a warm summer afternoon. Costumed volunteers will welcome you and provide hospitality.

If they wish, guests are encouraged to come dressed in Downton Abbey style.

Musical entertainment will add to the atmosphere.

Tickets are available at the museum at a cost of $10 (adults) and $5 (children). Tickets will also be available at the door the day of the event.

Everyone welcome!

Peter Rankin – A Story in Every Picture

On Thursday, June 20th at 7 PM, the Chestico Museum will host Mabou’s Peter Rankin. Peter will present a selection of his paintings that are inspired by local events and characters from the Gaelic tradition.

Peter will be joined by his sisters who will share their singing talent.

Admission is $5 and tea and light refreshments will be served.