Upcoming events.
Fiddle Matinee w/ Dara Smith-MacDonald
Governor’s Pub & Eatery
233 Esplanade, Sydney, NS
1 - 4 pm
w/ Dara Smith-MacDonald
Colaisde na Gàidhlig / The Gaelic College - Summer Adult Week 2
Come learn with us!
Immerse yourself in Cape Breton’s rich Gaelic culture for a getaway like no other. Escape the fast-paced world and spend a week (or two) among old pals and fast friends, secluded next to the beautiful bay of St. Ann’s, studying under some of the area’s finest musicians and tradition-bearers. With a variety of options in classes, instructors, levels, and accommodation needs, we hope to offer something special yet flexible for all who attend. Start planning your Cape Breton learning adventure now.
The Sea Shanty Show
Hoist the mainsail and set course for fun with The Sea Shanty Show, a charming musical review paying tribute to the wonder and majesty of the sea!
What started as a TikTok trend has become a worldwide awakening and renewed appreciation for the haunting and harmonious melodies of the sea shanty. Honouring both traditional sailing songs and more recent East Coast songwriters, you’ll gasp in awe at the beautiful harmonies in this intimate and breathtaking concert. From the musical mind of Chris Mounteer and director Marc Richard, The Sea Shanty Show makes its mainland debut in Chester after a sold-out run in Summer 2021 and an encore performance in 2023 at the Highland Arts Theatre in Cape Breton.
Fun for the whole family, and featuring a blend of acapella harmonies, fiddle and guitar, this show pays tribute to life on the ocean, and will charm tourists and locals alike!
Featuring: Wesley J. Colford, Matt Earhart, Maverick McDougall, Dane Pedersen, & Adam Young
Tickets:
Adults – $39.00 ($35.18 + tax & $3 Building Reserve Fee)
Youth (under 20) – $19.50 ($14.48 + tax & $3 Building Reserve Fee)
$10 Community Tickets – use code 10FOR10 (limit of 10 available per performance)
Reserved Seating
Doors open half hour before show.
Runtime: 65 mins
The Chester Playhouse is wheelchair accessible. Please call the Box Office at 902-275-3933 to arrange accessible seating.
Babes in arms & children under 4 are not permitted in the theatre.
The Sea Shanty Show
Hoist the mainsail and set course for fun with The Sea Shanty Show, a charming musical review paying tribute to the wonder and majesty of the sea!
What started as a TikTok trend has become a worldwide awakening and renewed appreciation for the haunting and harmonious melodies of the sea shanty. Honouring both traditional sailing songs and more recent East Coast songwriters, you’ll gasp in awe at the beautiful harmonies in this intimate and breathtaking concert. From the musical mind of Chris Mounteer and director Marc Richard, The Sea Shanty Show makes its mainland debut in Chester after a sold-out run in Summer 2021 and an encore performance in 2023 at the Highland Arts Theatre in Cape Breton.
Fun for the whole family, and featuring a blend of acapella harmonies, fiddle and guitar, this show pays tribute to life on the ocean, and will charm tourists and locals alike!
Featuring: Wesley J. Colford, Matt Earhart, Maverick McDougall, Dane Pedersen, & Adam Young
Tickets:
Adults – $39.00 ($35.18 + tax & $3 Building Reserve Fee)
Youth (under 20) – $19.50 ($14.48 + tax & $3 Building Reserve Fee)
$10 Community Tickets – use code 10FOR10 (limit of 10 available per performance)
Reserved Seating
Doors open half hour before show.
Runtime: 65 mins
The Chester Playhouse is wheelchair accessible. Please call the Box Office at 902-275-3933 to arrange accessible seating.
Babes in arms & children under 4 are not permitted in the theatre.
The Sea Shanty Show
Hoist the mainsail and set course for fun with The Sea Shanty Show, a charming musical review paying tribute to the wonder and majesty of the sea!
What started as a TikTok trend has become a worldwide awakening and renewed appreciation for the haunting and harmonious melodies of the sea shanty. Honouring both traditional sailing songs and more recent East Coast songwriters, you’ll gasp in awe at the beautiful harmonies in this intimate and breathtaking concert. From the musical mind of Chris Mounteer and director Marc Richard, The Sea Shanty Show makes its mainland debut in Chester after a sold-out run in Summer 2021 and an encore performance in 2023 at the Highland Arts Theatre in Cape Breton.
Fun for the whole family, and featuring a blend of acapella harmonies, fiddle and guitar, this show pays tribute to life on the ocean, and will charm tourists and locals alike!
Featuring: Wesley J. Colford, Matt Earhart, Maverick McDougall, Dane Pedersen, & Adam Young
Tickets:
Adults – $39.00 ($35.18 + tax & $3 Building Reserve Fee)
Youth (under 20) – $19.50 ($14.48 + tax & $3 Building Reserve Fee)
$10 Community Tickets – use code 10FOR10 (limit of 10 available per performance)
Reserved Seating
Doors open half hour before show.
Runtime: 65 mins
The Chester Playhouse is wheelchair accessible. Please call the Box Office at 902-275-3933 to arrange accessible seating.
Babes in arms & children under 4 are not permitted in the theatre.
The Sea Shanty Show
Hoist the mainsail and set course for fun with The Sea Shanty Show, a charming musical review paying tribute to the wonder and majesty of the sea!
What started as a TikTok trend has become a worldwide awakening and renewed appreciation for the haunting and harmonious melodies of the sea shanty. Honouring both traditional sailing songs and more recent East Coast songwriters, you’ll gasp in awe at the beautiful harmonies in this intimate and breathtaking concert. From the musical mind of Chris Mounteer and director Marc Richard, The Sea Shanty Show makes its mainland debut in Chester after a sold-out run in Summer 2021 and an encore performance in 2023 at the Highland Arts Theatre in Cape Breton.
Fun for the whole family, and featuring a blend of acapella harmonies, fiddle and guitar, this show pays tribute to life on the ocean, and will charm tourists and locals alike!
Featuring: Wesley J. Colford, Matt Earhart, Maverick McDougall, Dane Pedersen, & Adam Young
Tickets:
Adults – $39.00 ($35.18 + tax & $3 Building Reserve Fee)
Youth (under 20) – $19.50 ($14.48 + tax & $3 Building Reserve Fee)
$10 Community Tickets – use code 10FOR10 (limit of 10 available per performance)
Reserved Seating
Doors open half hour before show.
Runtime: 65 mins
The Chester Playhouse is wheelchair accessible. Please call the Box Office at 902-275-3933 to arrange accessible seating.
Babes in arms & children under 4 are not permitted in the theatre.
Fiddle Matinee w/ Dara Smith-MacDonald
Governor’s Pub & Eatery
233 Esplanade, Sydney, NS
1 - 4 pm
w/ Dara Smith-MacDonald
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.
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.
Square Dance
w/ Dara Smith-MacDonald
presented by the Cape Breton Charitable Association of Halifax and the Fairview Legion (RCL Branch 142)
Information: 902-233-6374 or 902-443-7256
Admission: $15/person
All 19+ are welcome to attend
Door sales open at 7:30 pm
Cash bar | 50/50 draw
Rollo Bay Fiddle Festival
49th Annual Rollo Bay Fiddle Festival
(w/ Dara Smith-MacDonald)
Féis a' Chidsin! | KitchenFest! - Pub Night at MacBouche Lounge
Féis a' Chidsin! | KitchenFest!
Pub Night at The Old Triangle
A lively location overlooking Sydney’s waterfront, the Old Triangle is a prime spot for KitchenFest! At a pub night, you can expect lively tunes, sweet sing-alongs, a relaxed and cozy atmosphere, and lots of good cheer.
Featuring Joe MacMaster, Adam Young, Brent Chaisson, Lisa MacArthur, and Nipper MacLeod
$10 | 19+ | Pay at the Door
Féis a' Chidsin! | KitchenFest! - Pub Night at The Old Triangle
Féis a' Chidsin! | KitchenFest!
Pub Night at The Old Triangle
A lively location overlooking Sydney’s waterfront, the Old Triangle is a prime spot for KitchenFest! At a pub night, you can expect lively tunes, sweet sing-alongs, a relaxed and cozy atmosphere, and lots of good cheer.
Featuring Joe MacMaster, Adam Young, Brent Chaisson, Lisa MacArthur, and Nipper MacLeod
$10 | 19+ | Pay at the Door
Fiddle Matinee w/ Dara Smith-MacDonald
Governor’s Pub & Eatery
233 Esplanade, Sydney, NS
1 - 4 pm
w/ Dara Smith-MacDonald
Féis a' Chidsin! | KitchenFest! - Pub Night at Daniel's Alehouse
A fun night at Daniel's Alehouse! Join us for this Pub Night full of great tunes and favourite songs. We'll meet you in downtown Sydney.
Featuring Kenneth MacKenzie, Adam Young, Scott Macmillan, and Steve Luxton
$10 | 19+ | Pay at the Door
Spectacle annuel de la Swing du Suête
Spectacle annuel de La Swing du suête à la Place des arts Père Anselme Chiasson (École NDA, Chéticamp) avec Colin Grant, Adam Young et Jason MacDonald.
La Swing du Suête’s annual concert at the Place des arts Père Ansleme Chiasson (École NDA, Chéticamp) with Colin Grant, Adam Young and Jason MacDonald.
Spectacle annuel de la Swing du Suête
Spectacle annuel de La Swing du suête à la Place des arts Père Anselme Chiasson (École NDA, Chéticamp) avec Colin Grant, Adam Young et Jason MacDonald.
La Swing du Suête’s annual concert at the Place des arts Père Ansleme Chiasson (École NDA, Chéticamp) with Colin Grant, Adam Young and Jason MacDonald.
Cape Breton Dance
What is a Cape Breton Dance?
It’s a fun and welcoming dance gathering. You will learn the Inverness set which is only 3 sets of moves. You can do it! There will be a caller to help you learn the dances. No partner required. It’s called a square dance but is usually a circle of 8 or more people. Here’s a link to a video showing some of the moves. You can walk or fancy step the dance! You’ll see in this video. All you need is flat shoes, and your enthusiasm.
https://youtu.be/vkAtwt5mkwg?si=YnlTqLiCVSyC9gx7
Friday May 16 at the Montgomery Legion 330 Kent Street, Ottawa, ON (lower level – there is an elevator)
$20 per person
Children (12 and under) free with a parent. You can prepay your ticket via e-transfer to KanataHouseConcerts@gmail.com. Please include your contact information in the message.
Cash only at the door.
7:30 doors open, Dance from 8:00 – 10:00
Dara and Adam will provide live music. And it will be fantastic. Yes, there is a bar…
House Concert
House concert (private event) w/ Dara Smith-MacDonald
Jam session to follow. Bring your instruments!
BYOB. Light snacks provided. Bring some to share if you’d like.
Seating is limited and must be reserved at KanataHouseConcerts@gmail.com.
Suggested donation of $25 p/p payable in advance by e-transfer to the above e-mail address. Please include your contact information in the message. The musicians receive 100% of your donations.
Cape Breton Dance
The Cape Breton Charitable Association of Halifax and the Fairview Legion present a
Cape Breton Dance
Info: 902-233-6374 or 902-443-7256
Square dance music provided by Dara Smith-MacDonald and Adam Young
Admission: $15/person
All 19+ welcome to attend
Door sales open at 7:30 pm
Cash bar
50/50 draw
Cape Breton Chorale: Paschae Amadeus
Choral Music for Easter
featuring the music of Brahms, Dett, Mendelssohn, and Mozart
Cape Breton Chorale
Ryan Billington, Conductor
Paula Jane Francis, Organ/Piano
Brandon Mollon, Assistant Director
$30 general admission
Tickets available through capebretonchorale.com, 902-270-2591, or at the door.
TEC Playground Fundraiser and Silent Auction
TEC Playground Fundraiser
Gala Concert and Silent Auction
April 5, 2025 at 7:00 pm
SAERC Auditorium, Port Hawkesbury
Emcee: Bob MacEachern
Entertainment:
TEC Choir
Eastbound • Krista and Jay Luddington • Celtic Touch Highland Dancers • Dane Pedersen • Luke Boudreau, Jordie Martin, and Kyle Levesconte • Isabella Samson • Steve MacIntyre and Robyn Chisholm • Dara Smith-MacDonald, Adam Young, and Brent Chaisson
General admission
Tickets for sale at TEC for $20 cash or the Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre online for $20
Dinner Theatre: The Grinch Who Stole Glace Bay
The Grinch Who Stole Glace Bay!
Every b’y down in Glace Bay liked Christmas a lot, but The Grinch b’y who lived just north of Glace Bay - did not. The Grinch hated Christmas - the whole Jesus season. Now, please don’t ask why; no b’y quite knows the reason. It could be his pit socks were pulled on too tight, or maybe Dougall MacDougall’s lights were too bright? But I think that the most likely reason of all, may have been that he lost the minor hockey 50/50 draw.
Come join the Grinch and the gang as he stops Christmas from coming to Glace Bay with a bang!
—————
Seats are assigned based on the order that they are received.
To ensure you are seated with those in your party please include all tickets in one order. Groups of ten or more should call the box office.
Arrival time 1/2 hour prior to start of performance.
Tickets: $72.50 - $81.95
Dinner Theatre: The Grinch Who Stole Glace Bay
The Grinch Who Stole Glace Bay!
Every b’y down in Glace Bay liked Christmas a lot, but The Grinch b’y who lived just north of Glace Bay - did not. The Grinch hated Christmas - the whole Jesus season. Now, please don’t ask why; no b’y quite knows the reason. It could be his pit socks were pulled on too tight, or maybe Dougall MacDougall’s lights were too bright? But I think that the most likely reason of all, may have been that he lost the minor hockey 50/50 draw.
Come join the Grinch and the gang as he stops Christmas from coming to Glace Bay with a bang!
—————
Seats are assigned based on the order that they are received.
To ensure you are seated with those in your party please include all tickets in one order. Groups of ten or more should call the box office.
Arrival time 1/2 hour prior to start of performance.
Tickets: $72.50 - $81.95
Dinner Theatre: The Grinch Who Stole Glace Bay
The Grinch Who Stole Glace Bay!
Every b’y down in Glace Bay liked Christmas a lot, but The Grinch b’y who lived just north of Glace Bay - did not. The Grinch hated Christmas - the whole Jesus season. Now, please don’t ask why; no b’y quite knows the reason. It could be his pit socks were pulled on too tight, or maybe Dougall MacDougall’s lights were too bright? But I think that the most likely reason of all, may have been that he lost the minor hockey 50/50 draw.
Come join the Grinch and the gang as he stops Christmas from coming to Glace Bay with a bang!
—————
Seats are assigned based on the order that they are received.
To ensure you are seated with those in your party please include all tickets in one order. Groups of ten or more should call the box office.
Arrival time 1/2 hour prior to start of performance.
Tickets: $72.50 - $81.95
Dinner Theatre: The Grinch Who Stole Glace Bay
The Grinch Who Stole Glace Bay!
Every b’y down in Glace Bay liked Christmas a lot, but The Grinch b’y who lived just north of Glace Bay - did not. The Grinch hated Christmas - the whole Jesus season. Now, please don’t ask why; no b’y quite knows the reason. It could be his pit socks were pulled on too tight, or maybe Dougall MacDougall’s lights were too bright? But I think that the most likely reason of all, may have been that he lost the minor hockey 50/50 draw.
Come join the Grinch and the gang as he stops Christmas from coming to Glace Bay with a bang!
—————
Seats are assigned based on the order that they are received.
To ensure you are seated with those in your party please include all tickets in one order. Groups of ten or more should call the box office.
Arrival time 1/2 hour prior to start of performance.
Tickets: $72.50 - $81.95
Dinner Theatre: The Grinch Who Stole Glace Bay
The Grinch Who Stole Glace Bay!
Every b’y down in Glace Bay liked Christmas a lot, but The Grinch b’y who lived just north of Glace Bay - did not. The Grinch hated Christmas - the whole Jesus season. Now, please don’t ask why; no b’y quite knows the reason. It could be his pit socks were pulled on too tight, or maybe Dougall MacDougall’s lights were too bright? But I think that the most likely reason of all, may have been that he lost the minor hockey 50/50 draw.
Come join the Grinch and the gang as he stops Christmas from coming to Glace Bay with a bang!
—————
Seats are assigned based on the order that they are received.
To ensure you are seated with those in your party please include all tickets in one order. Groups of ten or more should call the box office.
Arrival time 1/2 hour prior to start of performance.
Tickets: $72.50 - $81.95
Dinner Theatre: The Grinch Who Stole Glace Bay
The Grinch Who Stole Glace Bay!
Every b’y down in Glace Bay liked Christmas a lot, but The Grinch b’y who lived just north of Glace Bay - did not. The Grinch hated Christmas - the whole Jesus season. Now, please don’t ask why; no b’y quite knows the reason. It could be his pit socks were pulled on too tight, or maybe Dougall MacDougall’s lights were too bright? But I think that the most likely reason of all, may have been that he lost the minor hockey 50/50 draw.
Come join the Grinch and the gang as he stops Christmas from coming to Glace Bay with a bang!
—————
Seats are assigned based on the order that they are received.
To ensure you are seated with those in your party please include all tickets in one order. Groups of ten or more should call the box office.
Arrival time 1/2 hour prior to start of performance.
Tickets: $72.50 - $81.95
Dinner Theatre: The Grinch Who Stole Glace Bay
The Grinch Who Stole Glace Bay!
Every b’y down in Glace Bay liked Christmas a lot, but The Grinch b’y who lived just north of Glace Bay - did not. The Grinch hated Christmas - the whole Jesus season. Now, please don’t ask why; no b’y quite knows the reason. It could be his pit socks were pulled on too tight, or maybe Dougall MacDougall’s lights were too bright? But I think that the most likely reason of all, may have been that he lost the minor hockey 50/50 draw.
Come join the Grinch and the gang as he stops Christmas from coming to Glace Bay with a bang!
—————
Seats are assigned based on the order that they are received.
To ensure you are seated with those in your party please include all tickets in one order. Groups of ten or more should call the box office.
Arrival time 1/2 hour prior to start of performance.
Tickets: $72.50 - $81.95
Dinner Theatre: The Grinch Who Stole Glace Bay
The Grinch Who Stole Glace Bay!
Every b’y down in Glace Bay liked Christmas a lot, but The Grinch b’y who lived just north of Glace Bay - did not. The Grinch hated Christmas - the whole Jesus season. Now, please don’t ask why; no b’y quite knows the reason. It could be his pit socks were pulled on too tight, or maybe Dougall MacDougall’s lights were too bright? But I think that the most likely reason of all, may have been that he lost the minor hockey 50/50 draw.
Come join the Grinch and the gang as he stops Christmas from coming to Glace Bay with a bang!
—————
Seats are assigned based on the order that they are received.
To ensure you are seated with those in your party please include all tickets in one order. Groups of ten or more should call the box office.
Arrival time 1/2 hour prior to start of performance.
Tickets: $72.50 - $81.95