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21st Annual Féis
an Eilein
August 15th – 20th, 2011
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 first Féis was held on the Isle of Barra in 1981. 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.
Download
our 2011 brochure here
Artist Biographies
Monday,
August 15th
Féis Children’s
Concert and Weiner Roast 7-10pm
Students of our Summer
Music Program will perform for you
tonight at the Grand Narrows Waterfront. Stay for some tunes played by young local musicians
Anita MacDonald (fiddle) and Evan Bonaparte (guitar). Hot dogs and pop provided free
for all ages however silver donations are welcome.
Tuesday, August 16th
Céilidh
nam Pìobairean- The Pipers’ Céilidh 8pm
Join us for a
night of high energy traditional Cape Breton Piping featuring
Paul K. MacNeil (pipes) and piano accompanist Tracey Dares-MacNeil. Also
performing are pipers Ryan MacDonald and Kenneth MacKenzie. Fear An Taighe Angus MacLeod will treat us to his powerful singing style and Féis instructor Anita
MacDonald will dance to the pipers. Admission $10.00 Children 15 and under admitted free.
Wednesday, August
17th
Youth Activity Day, 10am-2pm
Children are invited to a day of Gaelic
songs, stories and games. Instructors Beth MacNeil and Debi
MacNeil will be joined by our
Féis
instructors.
Fee is $6.00 per child, and $12.00 per
family.
Lunch is included.
Gaelic Language Day 1, 9:30am-4pm
Intermediate and advanced learners focus on
the Christmas Island idiom in this two-day session with native
Gaelic speaker
and educator Effie Rankin from Mabou.
Fee is $25.00 per day Seniors and Students
$10.
Lunch is included
Symposium:
How we learned the songs
7:30pm
Tonight we explore and celebrate the many
ways that Gaelic songs have been
learned over the years at home and in the community, at the
milling frolic table and at house parties- from the wonderful
native speakers who have so generously shared their time and
talents. Participants will include some of these native
speakers, Janet Cameron who will tell us about growing up in a
home full of Gaelic singing, and Gaelic singer Mary Jane Lamond,
who will relate to us how she learned the songs. Come and hear
how this wonderful oral tradition has survived and evolved and
enjoy some Gaelic singing.
Admission
$8.00 Tea and Lunch will be served
Thursday, August 18th
Gaelic Language-Day 2,
9:30 am-4
pm
Intermediate/ Advanced
lessons with
Effie Rankin are
continued.
Admission $25 per day Seniors and students $10. Lunch is
included
Gaelic Language-
9:30 am-4
pm
This
beginner Gaelic class with teacher Hector MacNeil is a day-long
session which is designed for beginner students who have taken
part in classes employing the GAB immersion methodology. We will
examine Gaelic spelling, basic grammar and sentence structure in
order to broaden students' understanding of how the language
works.
Admission $25 per day Seniors and students $10. Lunch is
included
Milling Song Workshop, 6-7:30pm
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) Minors under 19 must be accompanied by an
adult.
Friday, August 19th
Fiddle
Workshops 12:00 pm-1:30 pm Adm. $6.00
Come
try your hand at the fiddle with combined/intermediate workshop with Anita
MacDonald. Learn the basics of the instrument or pickup a few
new tunes.
Gaelic Song
Workshop
12:00-1:30
pm
Adm. $6.00
Puirt A Beul (mouth music) was an integral
part of the Highland Gaels' way of life. When Puirt A Beul is
sung, the rhythm and sound of the songs resembles piping &
fiddling. This class is designed for beginners and also feature
a variety of styles. It is instructed by Beth MacNeil.
Gaelic Song Circle – 2:00 pm-5:00
pm Adm. No Charge
An afternoon of Gaelic singing in the
relaxed atmosphere of the kitchen céilidh, tradition bearers and
new singers will be welcomed to share their songs. Whether you
have new songs that you're working on, or songs that you've
enjoyed singing for years, bring them along and share them with
the group. The session will be facilitated by Hector MacNeil and
hosted by Neil and Tootsie at 7435 Hwy. 223, Big Beach
Square Dancing Workshop 3:30– 5:00
pm Adm. $6.
Join instructor Melanie MacDonald and learn
the basic steps for a traditional Cape Breton square dance. Her
lively and enthusiastic style will have you ready to show off
your steps at tonight's family dance!
Family Square Dance 9:00 pm- 1:00 pm
Adm. $10 15 and under free
Kick off the Féis weekend with a Family Dance with
Anita
MacDonald (fiddle), Susan MacLean (piano) and Ryan J. MacNeil
(pipes).
Minors under 19 must be accompanied by an adult.
Saturday, August 20th
Gaelic Language Workshops 12:00-1:30
pm Adm. $6.
Beth MacNeil
and Hector MacNeil
will teach beginner and
intermediate/advanced
Gaelic through the TIP/Gàidhlig
Aig Baile immersion methodology
Gaelic Hymn Workshop 1:30-3:00
pm Adm. $6.
Local native Gaelic
speakers Rod C. MacNeil and Jamie MacNeil will teach
some Gaelic Hymns which remain well-known in our area.
Step Dancing
Workshops 3:00-4:30
pm
Adm.
$6
Learn basic steps
with Jody MacKenzie or challenge yourself to
some advanced footwork with
Dawn MacDonald-Gillis.
Gabh do Naidheachd-Tell Your News
3:00 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. If you have a
Gaelic story to tell we would all enjoy hearing you tell it. A
light lunch will be served.
Family Square Dance and Céilidh
9:00pm-1:00am
Adm. $10 15 and under free
**Minors
must be accompanied by an adult**.
We finish off Féis week with a night of music, dancing
and fun for everyone! Bring your family and friends to hear
Joel Chaisson (piano), Glen Graham (fiddle) and Brenda Stubbert
(fiddle).
Féis an
Eilein: Fichead Bliadhna Celebrating 20 years of Féis
an Eilein
We are proud to announce that we
will release our DVD early this summer. It's a look back at our
first 20 years. Filmed by Colette Thomas it was supported by the
Center for Cape Breton Studies at CBU and funded by the OGA and NS
Tourism and Culture. Thank you to all who contributed to this
production.
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