Celtic Colours 2017

The 2017 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 10th at 2 PM, a Storytelling Session entitled Rum Running and Moonshine will be held at the museum. Our storytellers will share tales dealing with rum running, moonshining, prohibition and bootlegging in our area. An actual still will be on display and its history will be told by a descendant of the original owner. Secrets hidden in the past will be “rooted out”…true stories told in good humour. Audience members will be encouraged to participate by sharing their own stories. Admission is $10 and refreshments will be served.

The evening of October 10th, the Chestico Museum show Close to the Floor will be held at 7:30 PM at Strathspey Performing Arts Centre in Mabou. Like praising “the dirt” in one’s fiddle-playing, “close to the floor” is the highest compliment that can be paid to a step dancer, and an apt description of the cream of the crop in this show. Every performer on this stage can say they started dancing at a very young age, including Rodney MacDonald. From just a stone’s throw away, Rodney welcomes fellow dancers Bill and John Pellerin of Antigonish to shine up their shoes for the night. Not to be outdone, dance troupe Fileanta will perform dance and square sets from the area. Matched up with traditional pipe group Nuallan, it’s a perfect marriage. And why stop at only three pipers when we can have five more, courtesy of Seudan. That adds up to a piper for every dancer! We’ll also get to see the Québécois steps of Bon Débarras, highland by Marielle, and those of dance troup Sgiobalta.

Ticket prices are $35/$30 and are available through the Celtic Colours site and at the Chestico Museum. Tickets go on sale Tuesday, July 11th at 10 AM ADT. More information on tickets can be accessed here.

Prior to our Storytelling, you can purchase a delicious soup and sandwich lunch for just $10 at St. Stephen’s Church Hall from 11 AM until 1 PM. This luncheon will offer a variety of homemade, hearty soups and fresh, made-to-order sandwiches. Tea and coffee will be served with a sweet to top off this satisfying meal.

A roast beef dinner with all the trimmings is available that evening at St. Peter’s Parish Hall from 4:30 until 6:30 PM. The meal is sponsored by the Port Hood Knights of Columbus. The cost is $16 for adults and $8 for children under 12.

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

2017 Village Walking Tours

The Chestico Museum & Historical Society is pleased to offer walking tours of Port Hood this summer.

Chestico Museum guides in historic costume (John & Cathy Gillies) will bring the past alive as they highlight the people, events, sights and architecture of Port Hood’s past.

In addition to telling stories of Port Hood’s history, John and Cathy will focus on a few buildings in the community that were standing at the time of Confederation in 1867. 

The Port Hood Walking Tour is offered on:
Monday, July 10
Monday, July 17
Monday, July 24

The 2 hour Port Hood Walking tour departs from the Ceilidh Co-op parking lot at 6:00 PM SHARP. 

Tickets for the Port Hood Walking Tours cost $15 and are available for purchase at the Chestico Museum.

Confederation Tea

The Chestico Museum & Historical Society will present a Confederation Tea on Canada Day from 2 PM to 4 PM at the Port Hood Stone House (324 Main Street).

This is your opportunity to meet Port Hood’s politicians from 1867! In this photo we see few of the Port Hood residents from that era that we expect to see at our Confederation Tea! From left to right: Eliza Blanchard, Annie (Smyth) MacDonell, Hiram Blanchard, Peter Smyth and Eleanor Smyth.

Costumed animators will discuss the politics of the day while guests enjoy tea and refreshments in the beautiful Victorian setting of the Stone House.

Tickets are available at the museum at a cost of $10 (adults) and $5 (children). Everyone welcome!

Celtic Colours at the Museum 2016

dscf3181On Tuesday, October 11th, the Chestico Museum hosted a Celtic Tales & Colourful Yarns storytelling session at the museum. The event was part of Celtic Colours Cultural Experiences series. We were thrilled to welcome a large crowd – including some locals as well as guests from across Canada, the United States and even a group from Scotland.

This year our focus was colourful characters people from the past. Although not “famous” as such, these individuals were both interesting and entertaining. We had two wonderful storytellers with us who generously gave of their time.

Longtime Historical Society volunteer John Gillies had a number of well received stories including ones about Kate Liz (Moran) Cail, Albert Muise and Fr. Donald MacPherson.

We were also pleased to welcome back a past storyteller, Isaac MacEachen, who was in costume to regale us with his tales of Sandy Jim MacDonald!

Chestico Historical Society Past President Anne Beaton was our emcee and she joined in on the fun with stories about John and Isaac. We even had a chance to hear from some audience members.

There were a number of draws for door prizes throughout the afternoon and our winners went home with an assortment of hand crafted items.

At the end of the Storytelling we had the draw for the Chestico Tartan Blanket. Our winner was Bernard G. MacDonald from Mabou. Congratulations Bernie!

You can view some photos of the day on our Facebook page.

Celtic Colours 2016 Storytelling

celtic-colours-2016-posterIn conjunction with Celtic Colours , the Chestico Museum will host a Celtic Tales & Colourful Yarns Storytelling Session on Tuesday, October 11th from 2:00 until 3:30 PM.

Our storytellers will be John Gillies, Isaac MacEachen and Rachel Scarano. They will share many lighthearted and colourful tales about local people from the past. Although not “famous” as such, these individuals were both interesting and entertaining.

Admission is $10 and tea, biscuits and oatcakes will be served.

Prior to our Storytelling, you can purchase a delicious soup and sandwich lunch for $10 at St. Stephen’s Church Hall from 11 AM until 1 PM. After lunch you can browse their sale of assorted local crafts.

A roast beef dinner with all the trimmings is available that evening at St. Peter’s Parish Hall from 4:30 until 6:30 PM. The meal is sponsored by the Port Hood Knights of Columbus. The cost is $16 for adults and $8 for children under 12.

And of course our Close to the Floor show will be held at Strathspey Place in Mabou at 7:30 PM. Hopefully you have purchased your tickets because the concert is sold out!

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

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