A Heritage Cookery demonstration will be held at the Chestico Museum on Wednesday, July 12th from 10:00 to 11:30 AM. It will be presented by Mary Janet MacDonald of Tunes & Wooden Spoons and Cathy Gillies & Susan Mallette of the Chestico Museum. Light refreshments will be served. Tickets are $15. Limited availability. Contact the Chestico Museum (902) 787-2244 for more information.
Genealogy or ancestor-hunting has become one of the most popular and fastest growing hobbies worldwide today.
Have you ever wanted to trace your family roots? This summer, the Chestico Museum is offering an informative genealogy workshop, Starting the Genealogical Journey.
The workshop will be offered twice. The first offering is Friday, July 21st from 6:30 to 8:30 PM.
It will be repeated on Tuesday, August 8th from 1:00 to 3:00 PM.
Brenda (Hawley) Harrison, and local Port Hood residents John and Cathy Gillies will be providing the workshops.
The cost is $20 and pre-registration is required.
Limited spots are available. To reserve your spot, visit or contact the museum.
Join us for a ceilidh at the Chestico Museum at 7 PM every Thursday in July and August. Admission is $5 and tea will be served.
Schedule:
July 6th – John Donald Cameron, Gordon MacLean, Barbara Cameron
July 13th – Joe MacMaster, Cathy Hawley, Boys from the Hood
July 20th – Cameron Chisholm, Mary Graham, Lauchie Beaton
July 27th – Stephanie MacDonald, Amanda MacDougall, Peter MacKenize
August 3rd – Dara MacDonald, Ceila Cameron, Hughue John Beaton
August 10th – Joe MacMaster, Francis MacDonald
August 17th – Kyle MacDonald, Cathy Hawley, Lisa Cameron
August 24th – Shelly Campbell, Lynn Chisholm, Cyril Chisholm
August 31st – Taya MacDonald, Mary Janet MacDonald, Mitchell MacDonald
Join us at the Chestico Museum on Friday, July 7th at 10 AM as we host a children’s songwriting circle and reading with Jennifer Britton. Kids of all ages are invited to come sing with Jen, and write a tune to go along with her new book and song, “If You Could Be Anything”.
Jennifer Britton is a Halifax-based author, teacher, and musician. Originally from Ottawa, Ontario, she has always felt called to the east coast and has lived in both New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Forever a teacher, Jennifer’s writing engages young readers by inspiring them to think critically and creatively about the world and their place within it. Jennifer currently lives with her family in Hubley, Nova Scotia, and spends much of her time in Port Hood
This book is her love letter to Cape Breton Island, and to Port Hood, specifically. Books will be available for purchase.
We look forward to you joining us at the museum as we welcome Jen!
The 2023 Celtic Colours line up has been announced! The Chestico Museum is pleased to be hosting three events during the Festival.
On Friday, October 6th the museum will host Lifting Spirits and Feet with Celtic Music at 1 PM. This event brings together local step dancers and musicians who will provide valuable tips to get the most out of your visit to Celtic Colours. After welcome and introductions, Michelle Greenwell takes the audience through square set patterns, there’s a break for local teas, cheese and other Cape Breton delights. The cost is $10.
On Tuesday, October 10th at 2 PM, a Storytelling Session entitled An Strugpag- Come for Tea – Stories about Tea in the Cape Breton Tradition will be held at the museum. You are invited to an afternoon of storytelling, to share a cup of tea and discover the important role this drink has played in our local culture. Admission is $10 and refreshments will be served.
A roast beef dinner with all the trimmings is available that evening at St. Peter’s Parish Hall beginning at 4:00 PM. The meal is sponsored by the Port Hood Knights of Columbus. The cost is $25.
Our Close to the Floor show will be that evening at 7:30 PM at Strathspey Performing Arts Centre in Mabou. It is well-established that dance tradition is an important, if not defining, influence on Cape Breton’s traditional music. The rhythm and pace of the tunes is determined by the steps of the dancers. In Cape Breton step dancing, all the movement is below the waist with the arms kept as still as possible. The feet barely leave the floor, and the heel is never higher than the toe. This is known as “close to the floor” and it’s the best compliment a Cape Breton step dancer can get. Ourconcert brings together a mix of styles and dancers from Cape Breton’s Scottish and Acadian traditions, Antigonish County, Quebec, and Ontario, backed by some of the best players you could hope for. Among the performers are Shane Cook & the Woodchippers, É.T.É, the Pellerin Brothers, Maureen Fraser, Christine Doucet & Sylvie Aucoin, Melanie MacDonald, Amélie Larade, Donna Marie DeWolfe, MacMorin and Keith, Kyle & Colin MacDonald.
Ticket prices are $40/$35 and are available through the Celtic Colours site and a limited number at the Chestico Museum. Tickets go on sale Tuesday, July 11th at 10 AM ADT. More information on tickets can be accessed here.
We look forward to seeing you this year during Celtic Colours!
