Celtic Colours 2012

The 2012 Celtic Colours lineup has been announced! The Chestico Museum is pleased to once again be hosting two events.

On Tuesday, October 9th 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 stories about the fishing communities of Port Hood and Port Hood Island, telling tales of days gone by from the perspective of those who fished and those who supported the fishermen. The cost is $10.

The evening of October 9th, the Chestico Museum show Close to the Floor will be held at  7:30 PM at Strathspey Place in Mabou. With its focus on dance, this show is a perennial favourite. Last year, the Asham Stompers dropped in to this show unannounced and boy did they make an impression! Now they’re back by popular demand. The Outside Track’s multi-national lineup will allow them to show off two styles of dance, Cape Breton step and Irish sean nos dancing. This showcase of dance styles wouldn’t be complete without some highland dance and some of Cape Breton’s finest traditional step dancers – including Harvey Beaton, Sabra MacGillivray & The Celtic Touch Dancers, Joel Chiasson and Brandi McCarthy.

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 9th at 10 AM ADT.

Prior to our our Storytelling, beginning at 11 AM, you can purchase a delicious soup and sandwich lunch for just $5 at St. Stephen’s Church Hall. 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!

Her Wake at the Chestico Museum

The award winning play Her Wake, featuring Cindy O’Neill and Diane Mouland, will be presented at the Chestico Museum on Thursday, July 12th at 7:30 pm.

Her Wake is the story of two late-middle-aged women who attend the wake of one of their friends. They add the special sugar to their tea as they comment on the poor dear departed and all who happen to be there for the sad event. As the evening progresses tongues become looser and the truth more colourful!

The play was written by Frank MacDonald and was named Outstanding Canadian Production at the 2010 Liverpool International Theatre Festival.

Tickets cost $15 and are on sale now at the Chestico Museum.

Folllowing the show, Diane and Cindy will remain in character as tea and refreshments are served. Definitely something you will not want to miss!

 

Student Employment Opportunity

The Chestico Museum is currently accepting applications for a summer student for the 2012 season.

The position is open to students who have been accepted at a post-secondary institution for full-time study beginning in September 2012.

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 28 until August 31, 2012.

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 1, 2012.

Celtic Colours at the Museum 2011

On Tuesday, October 11th, the Chestico Museum hosted Storytelling and Afternoon Tea at the museum.  The event was part of Celtic Colours Cultural Experiences series.

John Gillies was our master of ceremonies for the afternoon and as usual did a fantastic job!

Our first storyteller was Eileen MacDonald who came to Port Hood as an English War Bride following World War II.

Eileen was followed by Anne Beaton who spoke of  her experiences growing up in a family of 12 in Hawthorne.

Rounding out the event was Marilyn Verge who shared stories of her father, John Guest who came to Port Hood as a British Home Child.

All three women did an absolutely wonderful job and their stories were very much appreciated by the many who turned out to hear them.

We also had the draw for the Chestico Tartan Blanket. Our winner was Kay MacDonald from Judique who is a long time member of the Chestico Museum.

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

Chestico Museum on TSN!

Port Hood was the place to be on Sunday, August 28, 2011 as we hosted a live broadcast of TSN‘s SportsCentre!

TSN came to town as part of the 2011 Kraft Celebration Tour. Last May, Roberta Watts submitted an essay detailing why Port Hood should be a stop on the tour. On July 1, the entry was selected as a Top 20 finalist and after an online voting match up, Port Hood was delared a winner! Not only did we win a TSN SportsCentre broadcast with Kate Beirness and Darren Dutchyshen and a great day of games and giveaways from Kraft, but the Al MacInnis Sports Centre received a $25,000 cheque to go toward rink improvements!

The Chestico Museum was part of the fun as well! On Saturday, after an incredible afternoon of whale watching, Kate and Darren stopped by the museum for some fiddle and square dancing lessons. The two were great sports and we enjoyed having them!

101.5 The Hawk was also on site as there was a surprise meeting between Cameron MacEachern and Kate! The Hawk took lots of great pictures at the museum that can be viewed on their Facebook page and there is also a video.

Clips of all the excitement from the Port Hood broadcast can be viewed on TSN’s video page.