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20th Annual Féis an Eilein
August 16th – 21st, 2010
A Féis is a community-based
festival designed to promote the Gaelic language and culture of an
area
through educational and social activities for people of all ages. The
community of Christmas Island, located on Cape Breton, is home to the
first Féis to be held outside of Scotland. We are proud to
be
celebrating our 20th year as a festival dedicated to preserving and
promoting Gaelic culture. We hope you will be able to join us this year
to help us celebrate this milestone.
Visit our biography page to learn more about our performers
Monday, August 16th
Féis
Children’s Concert and Weiner Roast 7-10pm
Students
of our Summer Music Program will be performing for you tonight. Stay
for some tunes played by young local musicians Anita MacDonald and Evan
Bonaparte. This event will take place at the Grand Narrows Waterfront.
Hot dogs and pop provided free for all ages however silver donations
are welcome.
Tuesday, August 17th
Céilidh
nam Pìobairean- The Pipers’ Céilidh
8pm
Join
us for a
night of high energy traditional Cape Breton Piping featuring
Paul K. MacNeil and piano accompanist Tracey Dares-MacNeil,
and
Cape Breton piping tradition bearer Barry Shears. Also playing is piper
Graham Mulholland of Scotland whose first Féis performance will be tonight.
Fear An Taighe Angus MacLeod will treat us to his powerful singing
style and Féis
instructors Jody and Anita will dance to the pipers. Admission $10.00
Children 15 and under admitted free.
Admission
$10.00 Children 15 and under admitted free.
Wednesday,
August 18th
Youth
Activity Day, 10am-2pm
Children
are invited to a day of Gaelic songs, stories and games. Instructor
Beth MacNeil will be joined by our Féis Instructors. Fee is
$6.00 per child, and $12.00 per family
Lunch is included.
Gaelic
Language, 9:30am-4pm
Intermediate
and advanced learners focus on the Christmas Island idiom in this
two-day session with native Gaelic speaker Effie Rankin from Mabou. Fee
is $25.00 per day, Lunch is included
Symposium
7:30pm - Comunn
Féis an Eilein: Twenty Years of Language, Music, and Culture
Join us as we take a
look back at the history and development of Comunn Féis an Eilein over the past
two decades. Long-time Féis supporter Lorrie MacKinnon will again host this
year’s symposium. Tonight
we honour founding members and early supporters, including those that are no
longer with us. Viewing the Féis in retrospect, we will hear from a variety of
speakers, such as founding members, native Gaelic speakers, and those who have
worked and volunteered for the organization over the years. In addition there
will be pictures & video remembering and celebrating past Féis events.
Adm. $8.00 Tea and Lunch will be served
Thursday,
August 19th
Intermediate/ Advanced
Gaelic language class taught by Effie Rankin continues
Milling
Song Workshop, 6-7:30pm
This workshop is led by local tradition
bearers/Gaelic singers Jamie MacNeil and Rod C. MacNeil. Learn some
songs and join in the singing tonight.
Admission $6.00
Traditional Milling Frolic, 8pm
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.
Admission $8.00
(15 and under free) Under 19 must be accompanied by an adult.
Friday, August 20th
Fiddle Workshops 2pm-3:30 pm
Adm. $6.00
Come try your hand
at the fiddle with a combined beginner/intermediate workshop with Anita
MacDonald. Learn the basics of the instrument or pick up a few new tunes.
Gaelic Song Workshop
3:30-5:00 pm Adm. $6.00
Instructor Beth
MacNeil Puirt A Beul or mouth music was an integral part of the Highland Gaels’
way of life. When fiddles or pipes couldn’t be found, mouth- music led the
céilidhs. When Puirt A Beul is sung, the rhythm and sound of the songs
resembles piping & fiddling.This class is designed for beginners and will
also feature a variety of singing styles.
Square Dancing Workshop – 3:30 -5 pm Adm. $6.00
Join instructor Burton MacIntyre as he teaches
the basic steps for a traditional Cape Breton square dance. His lively and
enthusiastic style will have you ready to show off your steps at tonight’s
family dance!
Family
Square Dance 9pm- 1pm
Kick off the Féis weekend with a Family
Dance with Helen MacDonald, Scott MacKenzie, Dawn MacDonald-Gillis, and
Kyle Gillis.
Admission $8.00, Ages 15 and under are admitted free. Minors under 19
must be accompanied by an adult.
Saturday,
August 21st
Gaelic
Language Workshops 12-1:30pm Adm. $6.
Beth MacNeil will teach beginners Gaelic
through the TIP/Gàidhlig Aig Baile immersion methodology
Hector MacNeil will employ the TIP/Gàidhlig Aig Baile
immersion methodology to teach intermediate/advanced learners.
Gaelic
Hymn Workshop 1:30-3pm Adm. $6.
Local native Gaelic speakers Rod C. MacNeil and
Jamie MacNeil will instruct this class teaching some Gaelic Hymns which
remain well-known in our area to all levels of learners.
Step
Dancing Workshops 3-4:30pm, $6
Learn basic steps with Jody MacKenzie or challenge yourself to some advanced footwork with Anita MacDonald.
Gabh do
Naidheachd Tell Your News 3 pm - Fear An Taighe - Hector MacNeil
Conducted entirely
in Gaelic, this session held at the Old Grand Narrows Hotel B&B
is an opportunity to share stories and be immersed in the language.
A light lunch will be served.
Family
Square Dance and Céilidh
9pm-1am
We finish off Féis
week with a night of music, dancing and fun for everyone! Bring your family and
friends to hear the MacNeil family, Kyle, Shamus, Ryan, and Boyd MacNeil.
Admission
$10.00, 15 and under admitted free. Minors must be accompanied by an adult.
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