Thursday June 20 , 2013
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News

The latest news from the Cape Breton Fiddlers' Association.

Billie Matheson passes at age 99

MATHESON, William "Billie" – 99, of Big Marsh Rd, River Denys, passed away on Thursday May 16, 2013, after a brief illness. Born in River Denys Center, Inverness Co., he was the son of the late Kenneth and Kate (MacInnis) Matheson.

He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Mary (MacPherson); sons, Kennie; Malcolm (Elizabeth); daughter,  Katherine (Dannie); daughter in law,  Anita; grandchildren, Christopher, Daniel, Colleen, and Erin; brother, Donald John and nephews, William, Duncan and Murdock.

Predeceased by brothers, Alexander and Daniel and half sister, Annie Mae.

Billie lived his whole life in the same family farm house where he was born. His occupations were wide and varied but primarily his work was as a farmer, sawyer, and school bus driver. Where he neared retirement, he took up fiddling, learning to read and play music at an age when most are winding down. He played extensively throughout Cape Breton and beyond, at one point even playing for the Queen. Fiddling, fishing, friends and family filled his later years.


Visitation for Billie will be from 2-8 p.m. Saturday May 18th, in Dennis Haverstock Funeral Chapel, Whycocomagh. Funeral service will be 1 p.m. Sunday, from River Denys Presbyterian Church, with Rev. Andrew MacDonald officiating. Burial to follow in the Upper River Denys Cemetery. Memorial donations to the Upper River Denys Cemetery Fund.

 

Halifax Concert

Kick off to the 40th Anniversary Celebrations in Halifax!

 

The Cape Breton Fiddlers' Association will be celebrating its 40th anniversary in the summer of 2013! We are going to start the celebrating early in Halifax with a concert featuring members of the Association plus special guests!

 

Sunday, April 28th, 2013 – 2:00pm

North St Church

5657 North St, Halifax

 

Admission: $10

($5 for Children / free for those 5 and under)

Tickets available at the door

 

For more information, contact Leanne at 455-9056 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

The Passing of Joseph Peter MacLean

Hello, if you are reading this I am gone from the earth. I am here with my parents Charlie and Katie (Campbell) MacLean, also my baby sister Mary Margaret is here too. I never had a chance to know her on earth as she died when she was one and a half years old.

I lived for 67 years, it was a good life. I enjoyed playing music and speaking my beloved Gaelic — my native tongue. I played with the Boisdale Trio, the Cape Breton Fiddlers Association, made a CD, “Back to Boisdale” and had several trips to Scotland. It is great here, lots of Gaelic music too.

I leave behind my cousins and many wonderful friends. To those who are working on keeping the Gaelic alive, I say keep at it. I loved helping people learn the Gaelic and helping people with playing music, especially the children. I had no children, but really loved children, they are so open and free.

I want to thank everyone who helped or tried to help me, the nurses and doctors, those who got me out of the apartment. I especially want to thank my dear friends Paul and Jane and my cousin Dougie. Dougie , thank you so much for all the hospital visits. Thank you to Flora, even though she could be difficult, she loved me and came through when the chips were down. Janet, thank you for putting up with me, also Sandra and Stephanie for being nice to me.
To everyone, enjoy life, don’t sweat the small stuff and be good to each other — Joe P.

My remains will rest at St. Andrew Church, Boisdale, on Tuesday, Jan. 15, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. A funeral mass will be celebrated 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Andrew Church with Rev. Francis Cameron, my good friend, will officiate. I will be buried at St. Mary’s Cemetery, East Bay, with my parents.

After the mass I would ask everyone who can play the fiddle or any instrument to go to the fire hall in Boisdale, have a ceilidh, to celebrate my life. There will be tea and food.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, 107 Pleasant St,, North Sydney.
Online condolences may be sent to www.wjdooley.com.

   

First Event in a Series of 40th Anniversary Celebrations

2013 will be the 40th anniversary of the Cape Breton Fiddlers' Association!  The Festival of Cape Breton Fiddling 2013 will be happening on August 16th, 17th, and 18th, 2013, at the Gaelic College of Celtic Arts and Crafts in St. Ann's, Cape Breton (details are listed under the Festival 2013 tab). 


Members of the association did a fantastic job of showing the rest of the country how strong and vibrant fiddle music is in Cape Breton.  Well over 1550 participants of the Canada 55+ Games were thrilled to experience our living heritage as they marched around the beautiful oval at the Harbourside Park in Whitney Pier. 

The association plans on celebrating its great milestone throughout this year and next by participating in several 40th anniversary celebrations in various parts of the island.  Our musical presentation in the games today, August 29th, was the very first in a lineup of several marking this 40th year.

Please watch our website for more exciting upcoming events!!

 

Festival of Cape Breton Fiddling 2013

Cape Breton Fiddlers’ Association Welcomes the World on its 40th Anniversary

 

Festival of Cape Breton Fiddling 2013

August 16th-18th, 2013

Gaelic College of Celtic Arts & Crafts

St. Ann’s, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia

 

 

Friday, August 16th, 2013

 

“Come Learn New Tunes!” – 2:00 p.m.

Various fiddle groups joined by the Cape Breton Fiddlers’ Association

Jam Session – 7:00 p.m.

Squaredance to follow

 

Saturday, August 17th, 2013

 

Lecture Series – 11:00 a.m.

Workshops – 2:00-5:00 p.m.

Fiddle ~ Piano ~ Guitar ~ Stepdance

Concert - 7:00 p.m.

Squaredance to follow

 

Sunday, August 18th, 2013

 

“Celebrating Forty Years”

Finale Concert

2:00-7:00 p.m.

 

Full concession facilities are available throughout concert times, and there will be plenty of free parking!  For further information, please call:

 

902-849-8476   ~   902-295-3411   ~    1-800-565-0000

www.capebretonfiddlers.com

   

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