Celtic Colours 2009

Celtic Colours 2009The 2009 Celtic Colours lineup has been announced.  The Chestico Museum is pleased to once again be hosting two events.

On Tuesday, October 13th at 1 PM, Storytellers Circle West will be held at the museum.  Irish storyteller Jimmy McBride, Newfoundland storyteller Jim Payne, and our own Jim St. Clair are sure to please as they share their tales.  Tea and oatcakes will be served.  The cost is $10.

The evening of October 13, the Chestico Museum show Close to the Floor:  Steps Across the Pond will be held at  7: 30 PM at Strathspey Place in Mabou.  Every year our show is dedicated to dance.  This year, in keeping with the Irish theme of Celtic Colours, the focus will be the Irish traditional sean nos dancing which will be seen for the first time in Cape Breton at Celtic Colours this year. Sean nos means “old style” and what is most obvious upon seeing this dancing is how much it has in common with Cape Breton step dancing.  In this show we will see some of the finest sean nos dancers, Seosamh Ó Neachtain and Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin as well as award winning dancer Cliodhna of the Begley family.

Another Irish-influenced style of dance is that of Newfoundland, performed by Jim Payne, known as one of his provinces best traditional dancers. Melody and Kelly Warner will also perform.  And since it is all about the music, there are musicians galore from the Begleys and Fergus O’Byrne to Dawn and Margie Beaton, Derrick and Melody Cameron and Robbie Fraser.  It is certain to be a show to remember!

Ticket prices are $35 / $25 and are available through the Celtic Colours siteor the Strathspey Place Box Office.  Tickets go on sale Monday, July 6th at 9 AM ADT.

Between the Storytellers Circle and Close to the Floor concert, you will find a delicious roast beef dinner in Port Hood at St. Peter’s Parish Hall beginning at 4 PM.  The meal is sponsored by the Port Hood Knights of Columbus.  The cost is $12 for adults and $7 for children 12 and under.

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

Searching for Talent

The Chestico Museum & Historical Society is currently open for the summer season.  Our hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 until 5:00 and Saturdays from Noon until 4:00. 

We are presently in the process of  planning our summer ceilidh series which will begin July 2 at 7 PM and run every Thursday evening until the end of August.  If you are interested in volunteering to perform at one of our ceilidhs please let us know!

As well, we are always in search of new products for our gift shop.  We are interested in locally produced hand crafted items and cds of local musicians.  If you would like further information on selling items on consignment, feel free to contact us.

We look forward to seeing you at the museum this summer!

2009 Archives Conference

The annual Spring Conference held by the Council of Nova Scotia Archives (CNSA) was held in Halifax at the Nova Scotia Archives and Records Management building (NSARM) on University Avenue.  Cathy Gillies, archives co-ordinator for the Chestico Museum, was able to attend.  There were six very informative presentations on archival appraisal, both from a monetary and historical point of view.  Such issues as the ethics of acquiring archival records, relations with donors and whether to include art objects or artifacts within an archives were some of the topics covered.  Cathy, as representative of the museum, was able to participate in the Annual General Meeting of the CNSA.  One of the new exciting ventures to be undertaken by the CNSA is a new website called “Routes to Your Roots” which will be hosted in conjunction with the Nova Scotia Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage.  This website will cater to the visitor who wants to combine a bit of genealogy with a tour of the province and will direct the visitor to the various archives where specific information can be obtained.

Congratulations Bruce!

Bruce BeatonToday, May 26, 2009,   Bruce Beaton was announced as one of eight inductees into the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame.  Bruce was nominated by the Chestico Museum & Historical Society.

Bruce played professional football for twelve years.  He was a three time CFL All Star, a seven time division All Star and he won two Grey Cups with the Edmonton Eskimos.  His accomplishments are made all the more remarkable by the fact that he never played a game of football until he went to Acadia University!

Bruce is a role model to many, not the least of whom are the people of Port Hood.  He is a prime example of what you can accomplish through hard work and belief in yourself. 

Congratulations Bruce on your induction.  You make an excellent additional to the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame!

The formal induction ceremony will be held in Halifax on November 7, 2009.  Further information will be posted on this website as it becomes available.

Photos of Old Buildings Wanted

Wanted - Old PhotosStaff at the Chestico Museum are currently working on an inventory of Port Hood heritage properties.  You may see us around the village taking photographs of both houses and public buildings.

We would also like to add historic photos of old Port Hood to this inventory.  If you have any old photographs, particularly of structures that no longer exist, please consider allowing us to make a copy of your pictures.  

If you believe you have photos that would be of interest to us, please let us know. 

We look forward to hearing from you!

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