Christmas Island - Féis An Eilein - 2014
Running from August 19th – 23rd in Christmas Island is the 24th Annual Féis an Eilein. This Christmas Island Féis was the first Féis held outside of Scotland. Designed to promote Gaelic language and culture through educational and social activities, the Féis features events for all ages. Always a great time with great people and things to do. See below for a schedule of events.Location:
8539 Grand Narrows Highway, Christmas Island, NS B1T 1A2, Canada
- Tuesday August 19
- 8 PM - Cuirm-Chiùil Na Féise The Féis Week Concert
- Admission $12 / Children 14 and under $6
- Tonight Bean an Taighe Betty Lord welcomes an exciting line-up of dynamic duos as Halifax-based sisters Cassie and Maggie MacDonald perform in their first Féis appearance, sharing the stage with pipers Rankin MacInnis and Michael MacMillan, and crowd favourites Howie MacDonald and Mac Morin. Local dancers Christina MacNeil and Meaghan O’Handley, and Andy MacMullin of Boisdale will join Anita and Lauren tonight to provide some driving steps. You won’t want to miss this high energy evening!
- Wednesday August 20
- 10 AM – 4 PM Gaelic Language Classes
- Admission $25/per day / Seniors & Students $10 Lunch provided.
- Angus MacLeod from the North Shore will instruct the beginner class. It is designed for students who have taken part in classes employing the GAB immersion methodology, and will examine Gaelic spelling, basic grammar and sentence structure in order to broaden students’ understanding of how the language works. Students will also work on how to make the sounds in Gaelic that aren’t heard in English, the importance of long vowel sounds, Gaelic rhythm, and other subjects related to getting an authentic Gaelic sound to a student’s speech.
- Educator Margie Beaton from Mabou will instruct the intermediate/advanced class. Students attending “Dòigh eile air a ràdh,” will take a look at the different ways the Gaels have of expressing themselves on particular topics through the use of songs, stories, pictures, and real life situations. This class would be suitable for those who wish to expand on their vocabulary and make more use of idioms and expressions.
- 7:30 PM - Ar Seanachas, Ar Daoine agus Ar n-Àiteachan - Our Stories, Our People and our Places
- Admission. $10
- Tea & Lunch will be served.
- Each community in the Gaelic world had an active and lively tradition of song composition. Songs from central Cape Breton were made by people such as Bean Iain Ruaridh, John V. MacNeil (the millionaire bard), Malcolm MacNeil, and Lauchie Currie. Who were these composers and what were there songs about? Do these songs matter in our modern world? This evening’s event pays tribute to them and examines some of the issues around retaining their songs in the 21st century.
- Join Bean an Taighe Lorrie MacKinnon as she welcomes Winnie and Paul MacDonald of Ironville, Maxie MacNeil of Highland Hill, and other special guests as they explore some of the composers and singers from our area and the music they created.
- Thursday August 21
- 10 AM – 4 PM - Beg. & Int. /Adv. Gaelic Language
- Admission $25 per day Seniors & Students $10 Lunch is included
- Day-long classes with Instructors Angus MacLeod and Margie Beaton are continued
- 6 PM – 7:30 PM - Milling Song Workshop
- Admission $6
- Come learn some milling songs and choruses and join in the singing at the milling frolic tonight. This workshop is led by Angus MacLeod.
- 8 PM - Traditional Milling Frolic
- Admission $10 ~ Ages 14 & under Free
- Singers once gathered around the milling table to keep a constant rhythm while pounding newly-woven cloth; now the work is done for the sheer pleasure and to keep the songs and culture alive. This milling frolic is one of the best known on Cape Breton Island and is not to be missed! Tea and lunch will be served.
- Friday August 22
- 10 AM - 4 PM - Latha De Dh’Òrain Day of Gaelic Songs
- Admission $25/per day ~ Seniors & Students $10 Lunch provided
- Féis an Eilein is pleased to offer this day-long session devoted to the study of the Gaelic Song Tradition. Instructors are noted performers Mary Jane Lamond and Goiridh Dὁmhnallach and tradition-bearer Rod. C. MacNeil
- 7 PM – 9:30 PM - Féis Children’s Concert & Family Dance
- Admission Free
- Students of our summer music program will perform at the Christmas Island Fire hall. Stay for the Family Square dance with music by local musicians Anita MacDonald (fiddle) and Lauren MacDonald (guitar). Hot dogs and pop provided free for all ages, silver donations are welcome.
- Saturday August 23
- 11:45 AM - Gaelic Language Workshops
- Adm. $6 10:30
- Beth MacNeil will instruct the beginner class and Carmen MacArthur will lead the intermediate/advanced session.
- Students will be taught conversational Gaelic through the TIP/Gàidhlig Aig Baile method which utilizes body language and oral repetition.
- 12 PM – 1:30 PM - Songs in the Kitchen – Òrain anns a’ Chidsin
- Admission $6
- This workshop instructed by Betty Lord offers a variety of song types from puirt-a-beul to lullabies and songs suited to just singing along together. Participants will come away with a selection of songs that they can sing in a number of different settings.
- 2 PM – 3:30 PM - Step-Dance Workshop
- Admission $6
- The beginner class with Lauren MacDonald is designed for those with no previous instruction in traditional Cape Breton step-dance. This intermediate/advanced class led by Anita MacDonald is designed for those who wish to improve their steps and to learn new steps, and who have an understanding of the rhythms of the steps, as well as some previous instruction.
- 2 PM -3:30 PM - Gaelic Song Circle – Sreath de dh’Òrain
- Admission No Charge
- Bean an Taighe Lorrie MacKinnon will lead the singing at The Grand Narrows Hotel B & B. Tradition bearers and new singers alike will be welcome to share their songs.=
- 3:30 PM - “Tell Your News” – Gabh do Naidheachd
- Admission No Charge
- Fear an Taighe Shamus Y. MacDonald will host this session which is conducted entirely in Gaelic. Held at the Grand Narrows Hotel B&B it is an opportunity to share stories and be immersed in the language.
- 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM - Square-Dance Workshop
- Admission $6
- Join instructor Anita MacDonald and learn the basic steps for a traditional Cape Breton square dance. She will be leading you through the Christmas Island/Sydney set. Her lively and enthusiastic style will have you ready to show off your steps at tonight’s dance!
- 9 PM – 1 AM - Family Square Dance
- Admission $10 / 15 & under free
- We finish off Féis week with a night of music, dancing and fun for everyone! Bring your family & friends to hear Boyd MacNeil (fiddle), and Hilda Chiasson (piano). Minors must be accompanied by an adult. Canteen Service Only
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