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May 7, 2007
Live music show promotes
island
LEROY PEACH, The Cape Breton Post
Last fall
the production Cape Breton Live, the show that promotes our
magnificent island and its culture, toured Quebec and
Ontario to sold-out audiences and to great acclaim. They
played 15 concerts.
Here’s
some feedback. Two elderly ladies in Quebec said of their
concert, “That was a true night of joy.” In Belleville, a
guy named Jim said, “I had to drag my wife to the show . . .
However, from the opening number on, she was knocked out and
wants me to reserve tickets for the next performance here.”
Of the powerful visuals of our island shown during the
concert in London, a lady said, “I had no idea Cape Breton
was so beautiful.”
Host of
the show, Buddy MacDonald, received an e-mail from a
Markham, Ont., patron who said, “I just don’t possess the
ability to properly express how much effect Cape Breton has
on me. Three songs in and I had already wiped my eyes
twice.”
Sandra
MacDonald, manager of Destination Cape Breton, took in five
concerts, setting up a tourist booth at each. She said that
“there were so many people trying to get to me during
intermissions that it created log jams in the foyers.”
Folks,
Cape Breton Live was created by our own Natalie MacMaster
and her husband Donnell Leahy. And here’s the good news —
Destination Cape Breton Association and Quincept Productions
are bringing the show to the Sydney Marine Terminal, Friday
at 8 p.m. It’s called “Cape Breton Live: Coming Home.” They
want to give our local audience a taste of the talent and
scenes that so moved audiences in our two biggest provinces.
That’s not
all. There will be a tribute at the concert to our troops in
Kandahar, with appropriate Cape Breton visuals. The lineup
of performers is increasing daily. The show will be taped by
the CBC for viewing by our troops in Afganistan.
Singer
Buddy MacDonald, who has performed all over North America
and Europe, will host the Sydney show. Howie MacDonald, with
10 solo recordings and tons of concerts to his credit, will
perform. Andrea Beaton, daughter of the accomplished Kinnon
Beaton, and niece of the famous Buddy MacMaster, will be
there. Award-winning fiddler Troy MacGillivray as well as
Glenn Graham, who has been playing since he was seven, will
perform.
Kate
Quinn, who has worked with Natalie and the Barra MacNeils,
will sing. Drummer and percussionist Cheryl Smith, who has
played with several artists, including Natalie, will attend.
These artists make up the cast of Cape Breton Live.
There’s
more. Here are some of the artists who will also be there
because they love Cape Breton and want to honour our troops:
Maynard Morrison and Bette MacDonald, Bob Quinn, Bruce
Guthro, Matt Minglewood, Stephanie Hardy, Ashley MacIsaac,
and Fred Lavery. As this concert progresses, I doubt that
there will be a dry eye in the house.
Everyone
knows that music is intrinsic to our tourism. That’s why the
Cape Breton Live cast will give 50 concerts throughout
Canada this year to promote our beauty and our culture. You
may obtain tickets for Friday’s concert from Centre 200; or
you may phone 563-4636 or 737-5983. Don’t miss out, folks.
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Above photo:
Margaree (by Victor Maurice Faubert)
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