Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Few takin’ high road on winds of change at Gaelic College | The Chronicle Herald

English: The Gaelic College of Celtic Arts and...Image via WikipediaWell, it’s no Battle of Culloden.

The moors of Inverness lie far across the sea, and Bonnie Prince Charlie retired to his grave many years ago.

And yet, recent developments at the Gaelic College of Celtic Arts and Crafts — North America’s lone and long-considered pre-eminent institution devoted to the preservation and promotion of Gaelic language, traditions and music — seem to have unearthed some ancient flaring of tempers.

Epithets are being hurled on social media sites and beyond. Phrases such as "tartan buffoon" and "cultural elitist" are being thrown from either side, and Highland dancers are being described as "little girls jumping around in kilts."

Worse yet, some are even being called Lowlanders, as if anyone makes the distinction anymore.

In any event, both the Highland and the Lowland blood have been stirred up by recent changes at the college in St. Anns, Victoria County, and there are no signs of things settling down.

It might be enough to make college founder A.W.R. MacKenzie turn in his grave.

And what about former premier Angus L. Macdonald, who provided MacKenzie with the funds to begin the unique institution in 1938? He was most definitely a Cape Breton lad — a dyed-in-the-wool, Gaelic-speaking man of Highland extraction.

"But did he know what he was doing?" asked Jim Watson of Iona, an advocate for Gaelic language renewal and culture.

While Watson is aware his question might produce an audible gasp from the western side of Cape Breton, where the highly esteemed Liberal politician was born, he poses the question seriously.

Macdonald was well aware that the commercialization of this province’s "Scottishness" would help attract tourists to our shores.

Moreover, MacKenzie, the Presbyterian minister who was charged with starting the college, was a "non-Gaelic speaker from Scotland," said Watson.

While those might be fighting words in some circles, some of the old Gaels in tiny corners of the world might be nodding their heads wisely and chuckling.

"He set up the college based on Victorian morality, as a sanitized version of Gaelic cultural expression," Watson said.

"The military piping and drumming and the highly choreographed Highland dance had nothing to do with the Gaels that were here."

While the Gaelic College announced Friday that Highland dance will continue to be taught at the school, along with great Highland bagpiping, there are still those who wonder how long these disciplines will last.

The college’s disciplines of study, reflected on its website, show a greatly changed offering over previous years. Celtic harp and pipe drumming have been dropped, at least for 2012. Bodhran has been all but dropped, being offered for only one week in the summer.

Fiddle and piano instruction will continue to be offered, and guitar will also be taught in the new year. Although neither the guitar nor the piano could be called traditional Gaelic instruments, they have long been used to accompany fiddlers.

The big difference is the greatly increased number of Gaelic language courses being offered.

Those within the Gaelic language community are thrilled with the emphasis on the teaching of the language.

Lewis MacKinnon heads up the province’s Office of Gaelic Affairs.

"Our focus is on reflecting the Gaelic culture through the language," said MacKinnon.

While there’s no question the language and the culture are intricately linked, MacKinnon said the language has been so badly treated over the years that real effort has to go into helping it once again become a living language in Nova Scotia.

"The Gaelic culture has been under attack for years — it has been excluded — and those who use it have been punished and held up to ridicule in years past," he said.

"There is now a blossoming of the language that for so long was almost closeted away."

That’s all fine and good, as far as most Scottish groups and societies are concerned.

"No one has anything against the language; it’s the language of our forefathers," said Tom Wallace, president of the Federation for Scottish Culture in Nova Scotia.

"But we don’t believe the college should just ignore its history, and for 73 years they taught Highland dance and piping at the college full bore," he said.

"For me, it’s a matter of respect and name-calling and denigrating the Highland Games and the kilts, tartans and clan badges — all of the so-called modern things some of those people are looking down on — it’s not right," said Watson.

"You’ve got little girls getting up early on Saturday morning to travel to Truro to take part in Highland dance competitions for medals and things, and you can’t say that’s not important.

"The Scottish organizations and clans who raise money for bursaries to send kids on for further studies in Gaelic language or piping — you can’t say that’s not important."

Caroline Cameron of the Gaelic Council of Nova Scotia believes the two cultures can exist alongside each other.

"Cultural arts and identities are forever evolving, and all are valid artistic expressions in their own right," she said in a news release issued Friday.

"Our focus is on Gaelic arts and culture, and their foundation in Gaelic language, and we have great interest in how the province allocates its resources within the Gaelic College."

Ironically, the man who has been called the bad boy of Celtic music, whose very name will sometimes induce more traditional Gaelic purists to cringe, may have the most balanced viewpoint on the issue.

"If they’ve thought this whole thing through at the Gaelic College, the bottom line has to be the most important factor," said Ashley MacIsaac, the master of Cape Breton-style traditional fiddle playing and a virtuoso of innovation.

"In the end, this will shine a spotlight on the Gaelic College, and publicity is not a bad thing."

Few takin’ high road on winds of change at Gaelic College | The Chronicle Herald

Friday, December 16, 2011

Candlelit non-commercial parade - Drogheda-Independent.ie

A NON-COMMERCIAL and spirit orientated candlelit procession takes place through the streets of Drogheda on Wednesday December 21st from 5pm to 6.45pm.

The event will begin from St Dominic's Park on the occasion of the Winter Solstice and march to St. Peter's Church via Dominic's Bridge and West Street.

'We will gather in Dominick's Park at 5pm on Wednesday 21st December, candles in hand - please ensure you have something to protect it - and sheets with Christmas Carols will be handed out to everyone. The carols will be along the lines of Jingle Bells and so on to keep the theme fun and cheery,' stated organiser Seán Ó Cearrúlláin.

'It is hoped that we will have an Uilleann Piper and some children to sing a carol or two on the steps of the church where people can congregate and perhaps buy some roasted chestnuts and some hot beverages.

' The Procession would mark a new tradition in the town that brings people together and will hopefully grow over the years to come. We would ask as many people as possible to join us on West Street and watch as the procession moves past and perhaps fall in behind the train of candles marching through the town. It promises to be a wonderful spectacle and new tradition for the town, non-commerical, for the people and about the people,' he added.

Candlelit non-commercial parade - Lifestyle - Drogheda-Independent.ie

Friday, December 9, 2011

Celtic Sojourn Lights Up Music Hall

Hanneke Cassel - Sunday, July 3, on the Custom...Image via Wikipedia
The Christmas spectacular that has sold out shows throughout New England returns to The Music Hall this season for what promises to be an unforgettable holiday event! A top-flight cast of singers, musicians, and dancers join Brian O’Donovan, host of NPR’s wildly popular Celtic Sojourn, for a festival of traditional and contemporary music from the Celtic countries and England.

“People of all ages will be enchanted and uplifted by this unique holiday celebration,” says Patricia Lynch, Executive Director of The Music Hall. “It’s a memorable treat for the entire family, made even more magical in the landmark Victorian environment of our historic theater. Don’t miss it!”

This year’s show features an exciting variety of singers, musicians, and dancers steeped in Celtic traditions and other influences. Newcomers to the cast include Ruth Moody, the wonderful Canadian singer who is part of the trio The Waylin’ Jennys, now a staple on Garrison Keillor’s A Prairie Home Companion. As well, a whole new selection of dancers has been assembled especially for the show.

Several cast favorites are returning as well. Hanneke Cassel, who was a hit in last year’s concert, has re-assembled the group Halali, which also includes Laura Cortese, Lissa Schneckenburger, and guitarist extraordinaire Flynn Cohen.

The cast also includes the popular singer Len Graham, who hails from Derry in the north of Ireland. He's gained an international reputation not only for his inimitable singing style, but also for the breadth of his knowledge of Irish folk music. And Simon Chrisman, who is part of the rising star lineup of The Bee Eaters, is bringing a new instrument to the stage — the Hammer Dulcimer. Plus, the Uilleann Pipes will be featured, courtesy of Kieran O’Hare.

Multi-instrumentalist Seamus Egan of Solas is back on stage, and, again acting as music director for the show. He will be joined by long-time collaborators Chico Huff on acoustic bass, and, new to Christmas Celtic this year, percussionist Ben Wittman. Kevin Doyle makes his return to the show, not just as a spectacular dancer, but also as the dance director. He will be introducing a group of younger dancers from the Boston area to create some toe-tapping magic on stage.

Artistically directed again by Paula Plum, this promises to be one of the most spectacular and enjoyable Christmas Celtic Sojourn concerts yet!

Celtic Sojourn Lights Up Music Hall - Portsmouth, NH Patch

Monday, December 5, 2011

Pipers explain their art on new DVD

"LOVERS of Irish music will get insight into the art of uilleann piping on a new DVD featuring Sean Potts, Brian MacNamara and Peter Browne who are joined by Jackie Small on Piper's Choice Vol IV.

The three musicians perform their favourite pieces and explain in depth their individual approach to each selection and to the instrument in general.
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