I just arrived home last night (spent a few days after the festival in Halifax before returning to Oregon). The whole week in Cape Breton was "brilliant"! The music, the countryside and mountains,the sea, the people, the weather! I ran into the trail coordinator for the Cape Mabou Highlands (at the Red Shoe Pub in Mabou, one of my favorite venues) and he helped point me in the direction of some lovely hikes. My friend and I went to a performance each night; the highlights for me were Tony McManus, who played with Liz Doherty, Dave McIsaac, and Archie Fisher and a brilliant fiddler/cornet player named Daniel Lapp; Danu,from Ireland; and a group from P.E.I. called Celtitude. Suroit, a group from the Magdalene Islands, was also tremendous. I didn't get to hear Mary Jane Lamond in person, but brought back a CD which I am listening to at this moment and greatly enjoying. I'm sorry I didn't connect with George Seto, but it was an overwhelming experience and I might have seemed a bit irrational and frantic.It was almost too much to take in. I wasn't able to work in any workshops, since I wanted to tour the island. I advise anyone interested in attending to contact the Celtic Colours Festival Society well in advance and plan carefully. (P.O. box 9, Baddeck, Nova Scotia, BOE 1BO ; or www.celtic-colours.com).
|