Enjoying the celtic music tradition
Trip Start
Aug 13, 2009
1
20
53
Trip End
Oct 15, 2009
Where I stayed
whycocomagh provincial park campground
Whycocomagh, Nova Scotia, Canada
Friday, September 4, 2009
September 4, 2009
Awoke after a TERRIBLE night’s sleep - both of us now convinced that we are indeed too old to tent any longer. Quick breakfast, shower and off to Judique - a small community on the west shore of Cape Breton Island. It houses the Celtic Music Interpretive Centre. This whole area is the home of famous fiddlers such as Natalie McMaster and Ashley MacIsaac, as well as singer Rita MacNeil. We had been advised to take in a lunch time ceiladh at the center. We were served a delicious lunch and the backdrop for the performance was a traditional kitchen, complete with the old wood burning stove, 3 (stuffed) cats, kitchen chairs, etc. ( have included some video footage). Following lunch, we toured the interpretive centre, learning more about Gaelic culture and the influence on the Cape Breton music scene. We then had a live demonstration with the young musicians who had entertained us earlier. It was a small intimate group and they were very open to questions. It would appear that the fiddling and stepdancing culture is alive and thriving within the youth of Cape Breton Island after having been nearly lost a generation ago.
Did a relatively short hike in the afternoon (although quite steep) above the campground and reached some great viewpoints looking down on Lac Bras d’Or.
A pot of chili when you’re camping goes a long way so….you know our supper menu. To bed with the sun, hoping for a good night’s sleep!!
