Celtic Colours 2013

2013 Celtic Colours LogoThe 2013 Celtic Colours lineup has been announced! The Chestico Museum is pleased to once again be hosting two events.

On Tuesday, October 15th at 2 PM, Storytelling & Afternoon Tea will be held at the museum. Once again, we will feature local storytellers and this year we will focus on tales of Port Hood with a connection to Fortress Louisbourg. The cost is $10.

The evening of October 15th, the Chestico Museum show Dance Dance Wherever You May Be will be held at 7:30 PM at Strathspey Place in Mabou. Dance is just as popular and exciting whether you come from Norway, Quebec, Scotland, Appalachia or Cape Breton. It is well-established that dance tradition is an important, if not defining, influence on Cape Breton’s traditional music. With this show, we see how dance influences traditional music from around the world. Nic Gareiss, Pierre Chartrand, Normand Legault, Hallgrim Hansegård, and the Pellerin Brothers represent some of the top dancers in each of their traditions. And there will be some expert accompaniment in Shelly Campbell and Allan Dewar, Breabach and Raz de marée. This amazing array of dance styles will knock your socks off!

Ticket prices are $35/$30/$25 and are available through the Celtic Colours site or the Strathspey Place Box Office. Tickets go on sale Monday, July 8th at 10 AM ADT.

Prior to our Storytelling, you can begin your day with a Chestico Breakfast at St. Peter’s Parish Hall. A full breakfast with fried or scrambled eggs, meats, breads, choice of juices, and tea or coffee is available between 8 and 10 AM at a cost of $8. Beginning at 11 AM, you can purchase a delicious soup and sandwich lunch for just $5 at St. Stephen’s Church Hall. After lunch you can browse their sale of assorted local crafts. A roast beef supper is available that evening at St. Peter’s Parish Hall beginning at 4 PM. The meal is sponsored by the Port Hood Knights of Columbus. The cost is $15 for adults and $7 for children 12 and under.

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

Louisbourg 300 Celebrations in Port Hood

Louisbourg Poster2013 marks the 300th anniversary of the founding of Île Royale (Cape Breton Island) and its capital, Louisbourg. Fine sandstone from quarries on Port Hood & Henry Islands helped build Fortress Louisbourg. This summer, join the Chestico Museum as we celebrate our historic connection to Louisbourg!

Schedule of Events:
Monday, July 29 through Friday, August 2 – Join Captain Danny Gillis and local historical guides aboard the Get Away for a boat tour by Port Hood & Henry Islands. Boat departs the Government Wharf at 6:30 PM and the tour is approximately 1½ hours. Cost is $25/person and must be paid in advance. Book your place by calling the museum (787-2244).

Thursday, August 1 – Chestico Museum – 7:30 PM. Presentation on Port Hood’s connection to Louisbourg followed by musical entertainment and light refreshments. Admission: $5/person.

Friday, August 2 through Sunday, August 4 – Former Port Hood school grounds – throughout the day. Costumed animators will demonstrate aspects of the stone quarrying and masonry done at Port Hood.

Saturday, August 3 – Watch for the Chestico Museum’s Louisbourg themed float in the Chestico Days parade!

Be sure to stop by the Chestico Museum this summer and view our exhibit on Port Hood’s connection to Fortress Louisbourg!

Wally Ellison Evening Recap

waterfallsOn Thursday, June 20th, the Chestico Museum hosted a book signing by Wally Ellison for his new work, Waterfalls, Cape Breton’s Hidden Treasures. Wally signed numerous books and also presented a slideshow on Cape Breton waterfalls. Wally was most informative and his talk was greatly enjoyed!

Wally also brought along some musical friends and we had quite the ceilidh! Entertaining were Wally on bagpipes, Kolten MacDonell on piano and fiddle, Brandi McCarthy on fiddle and stepdancing and Patrick Lamey on guitar and vocals. A truly talented group!

Tea and refreshments were available after the show. In all, it was a most enjoyable evening. Thank you Wally, Patrick, Kolten and Brandi!

You can view some photos on our Facebook page.

 

Wally Ellison Book Signing

Wally Ellison Book SigningThe Chestico Museum is pleased to announce we will be hosting a book signing for Wally Ellison’s new book Waterfalls, Cape Breton’s Hidden Treasures on Thursday, June 20th at 7 PM. The evening will include a 30 minute slideshow presentation on Cape Breton waterfalls as well as musical entertainment by Wally (pipes), Patrick Lamey (guitar), Brandi McCarthy (fiddle) and Kolten MacDonell (fiddle). And of course there will be tea and oatcakes!

Waterfalls, Cape Breton’s Hidden Treasures is an account of some of Wally’s favourite places on Cape Breton Island. The book is well illustrated with over 100 colour photos that Wally took over the last number of years. There are also maps and the names and locations of the various waterfalls.

We hope you will join us on Thursday evening for what promises to be an entertaining and informative evening!

 

 

Student Employment Opportunity

The Chestico Museum is currently accepting applications for a summer student for the 2013 season.

The position is open to students who have been accepted at a post-secondary institution for full-time study beginning in September 2013.

The successful candidate will be enthusiastic, organized and possess good communication skills. The ability to multi-task and organize events are key requirements. Knowledge of local history is an asset.

The position will run from May 27 until August 30, 2013.

Interested individuals may send a cover letter and resume to:
Chestico Museum
P.O. Box 144
Port Hood, NS
B0E 2W0

You may also email your information to: chesticomuseum@ns.aliantzinc.ca

Deadline for applications is May 23, 2013.