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Sinister Soirée
Oct
25

Sinister Soirée

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Sinister Soirée
w/ Dara Smith-MacDonald

Where history haunts the present…

Do you remember those childhood nights—costumed, sugar-crazed, and fearlessly chasing the thrill of the unknown?

This October, we invite you to relive that magic—elevated, eerie, and all grown up.

The Fortress of Louisbourg Association proudly presents the 5th annual Sinister Soirée—and this year, we’re conjuring up our biggest and most bone-chilling bash yet!

With more venues, more entertainment, more tickets, and more wicked surprises still to be revealed, this is one haunted affair you won’t want to miss.

And for the first time ever, this year’s soirée welcomes 500 guests for an evening of thrills you won’t find anywhere else..

Trust us—you’ll want to claim yours before they vanish into the fog.

SOLD OUT

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Celtic Mass for the Sea–Celtic Colours International Festival
Oct
17

Celtic Mass for the Sea–Celtic Colours International Festival

Celtic Mass for the Sea
Celtic Colours International Festival

Since its premiere over 30 years ago, Celtic Mass for the Sea has become a contemporary choral classic composed by Scott Macmillan with libretto by Jennyfer Brickenden. This unique celebration of the sea’s majesty, ferocity, and vitality—with words and music based on Celtic themes—is a powerfully-imagined work for chorus, strings, and Celtic instrumental quintet. It has been performed roughly 90 times across Canada and Europe, and twice at the prestigious Carnegie Hall. Today’s performance is the culmination of a three-day event, “Water’s Flowing Together”, exploring the ecological, cultural, and economic future of the Bras d’Or Lake. The text is primarily of Celtic origin, much of which predates the 12th century, blending pre-Christian influence (Pagan, Wiccan, and Druid) with Christian and secular sources. The music embodies much that is traditionally Celtic, interwoven throughout with Macmillan’s original themes. Scott Macmillan will conduct this hour-long presentation and we are delighted that Cape Breton Chorale’s Ryan Billington has rejuvenated the Breton Chamber Choir for this concert. Joining them will be several vocal students from the Fountain School of Fine Arts at Dalhousie University, along with Mi’kmaw speaker Barbara Sylliboy and Gaelic speaker Dr. Shamus Y. MacDonald. The lineup of musicians includes Ingrid and Allan Henderson from Scotland, Brian Doyle, Glenn Coolen, Jude Pelley, Paula Jane Francis, and a string quintet lead by Shawn MacDonald, with Allie Bennett, Stewart MacDonald, Jeff-Lee Dadswell, and Ed Woodsworth. “He Who Trample the World Tramples on Himself”, used in the Mass, is a prophetic saying from late 400AD and attributed to St. Columba. It is therefore extra exciting that today’s performance is at St. Columba Church. Celtic Mass For the Sea was performed at Celtic Colours in 2007 and we’re looking forward to this encore production presented by Àros na Mara.

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Songs & Tunes in the Afternoon – Celtic Colours International Festival
Oct
13

Songs & Tunes in the Afternoon – Celtic Colours International Festival

Songs & Tunes in the Afternoon
Celtic Colours International Festival

Monday is a holiday, so why not plan on going for a little drive to Leitches Creek—located just off Highway 125 between Sydney and North Sydney—and take in an afternoon of songs and tunes. This little white church is the perfect setting for these artists from Scotland, Ireland, and Cape Breton. With family roots in Inverness, Cape Breton, fiddler Dara Smith-MacDonald plays in a strong, lively, traditional style and is a regular at concerts, festivals, ceilidhs, and dances throughout the island. Dara can often be found on stage with Adam Young, a sought-after piano player from Marion Bridge. Dara and Adam released three award-nominated CDs together and we’ll see their musical chemistry on stage this afternoon. Cathy Ann MacPhee, one of the great voices in Gaelic song, was born on the Isle of Barra in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides. Her interpretations of traditional songs are shaped by a deep connection to language and place. Màiri Chaimbeul is a harpist and composer, originally from the Isle of Skye, whose music blends Gaelic tradition with improvisation and modern textures. Cathy Ann and Màiri have each relocated to Nova Scotia and it’s a pleasure to have them both at Celtic Colours this year. With a soulful and commanding voice, Rìoghnach Connolly draws from Irish traditional music but brings a contemporary energy that is all her own. A performer of rare charisma, her songs resonate with both power and playfulness. Ruairidh Gray is an award-winning Gàidhlig singer from the village of Daliburgh on the Island of South Uist who is making his first appearance at Celtic Colours in this concert.

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