Please Note - This schedule is still being finalized. We will have all details in place soon.
Monday - Friday
(9:30 am - 10:30 am) - Dance Classes at St. Mary's Parish Hall and Beinn Mhàbu campus
(10:50 am - 11:50 am) - Dance Classes at St. Mary's Parish Hall and Beinn Mhàbu campus
(2:00 pm - 2:20 pm) - Cultural Talk at Beinn Mhàbu campus
(2:30 pm - 3:30 pm) - Instruction in Cape Breton set dancing at Beinn Mhàbu campus
Host Step Dance Instructors
Guest Step Dance Instructors:
Guest Speakers:
Activities included in registration fee for school:
-Free admission to the Thursday night Glencoe Family Square Dance - This Family Square Dance has been happening for decades and features some of Cape Breton's best dance players. It is located inland between Whycocomagh and Mabou in an old one room school house that was converted into a dance hall.
-Free pass for a tour of the Glenora Distillery. Glenora Distillers have been recognized as the first single malt whisky distillery in North America, and also produced the world’s first single malt whisky aged in ice wine barrels. Their copper pot stills and time-tested traditions mean the whisky they produce is on par with the greatest single malts in Scotland. Their on-site distillery tours take about 25 minutes. Adults will be given samples at the end of tour.
-A Cape Breton House Party with live music for students and dance tutors on Friday evening, July 25th!
Activities offered in association with the school:
- Wednesday Stepper Off'A Size with Cheryl MacQuarrie who has created a dance exercise program. It is a choreographed routine of jig, strathspey's and reels. Cheryl says, "Stepper Off'A Size is for everyone, it can be done at any pace, any age, and it can be as difficult or as simple as you would like to make it. As Zomba is to the Latin community, Stepper Off'A Size would be to the Cape Breton community." It's fun energetic and you'll be guaranteed to step off a few sizes in no time. ($10.00 a person)
- Thursday Yoga Session with Jenny MacKenzie who is a certified Personal Training Specialist and Yoga Instructor of Dannsair Fitness and Wellness. She will conduct a class in meditation and relaxation. ($10.00 a person)
- Mabou Tuesday Night Ceilidhs summer concert series hosted by Melody and Derrick Cameron that is held every Tuesday at 7:30pm in Mabou's St. Mary's Parish Hall. These ceilidhs feature musical guests who are some of Cape Breton's finest traditional musicians and step dancers. ($10.00 a person - pay at the door)
Monday - Friday
(9:30 am - 10:30 am) - Dance Classes at St. Mary's Parish Hall and Beinn Mhàbu campus
(10:50 am - 11:50 am) - Dance Classes at St. Mary's Parish Hall and Beinn Mhàbu campus
(2:00 pm - 2:20 pm) - Cultural Talk at Beinn Mhàbu campus
(2:30 pm - 3:30 pm) - Instruction in Cape Breton set dancing at Beinn Mhàbu campus
Host Step Dance Instructors
- Melody Cameron - Melody will be instructing from Monday to Friday.
- Jenny MacKenzie - Jenny will be instructing from Monday to Friday.
Guest Step Dance Instructors:
- Cheryl MacQuarrie - Monday, July 21st
- Abigail MacDonald - Tuesday, July 22nd
- Nicole Deveau - Wednesday, July 23rd
- John Pellerin - Thursday, July 24th
- Gerard Beaton - Friday, July 25th
Guest Speakers:
- Monday presentation will feature a discussion and tunes led by Colaisde na Gàidhlig / The Gaelic College President, the Honourable Rodney MacDonald with piano accompaniment provided by Iain MacQuarrie. Following Rodney's discussion, there will be instruction in the Inverness County Square Set by Melody Cameron. Rodney and Iain will provide the music for this square set workshop.
- Tuesday will feature instruction in the Sydney Square Set by Hilary Romard with assistance by Neil Poirier. Both Hilary and Neil are very knowledgeable in square sets that are danced around the island. Music for this workshop will be provided by Kyle MacDonald and Abigail MacDonald.
- Wednesday presentation will feature Hannah Krebs. Hannah will give some background history on the Gaels and will demonstrate and teach some puirt à beul (mouth music) and then sing a few tunes for students to dance to.
- Thursday will feature a presentation and instruction in the Cheticamp Square Set by Neil Poirier with assistance by Hilary Romard. Both Hilary and Neil are very knowledgeable in square sets that are danced around the island. Music for this workshop will be provided by John Pellerin.
- Friday presentation will be by Kevin Dugas. He will speak on and demonstrate Cape Breton's piping and fiddling traditions and will discuss how piping is connected to Cape Breton's fiddle, step dance and Gaelic song traditions. After their presentation, Kevin will play some tunes for the students to dance the Scotch Four.
Activities included in registration fee for school:
-Free admission to the Thursday night Glencoe Family Square Dance - This Family Square Dance has been happening for decades and features some of Cape Breton's best dance players. It is located inland between Whycocomagh and Mabou in an old one room school house that was converted into a dance hall.
-Free pass for a tour of the Glenora Distillery. Glenora Distillers have been recognized as the first single malt whisky distillery in North America, and also produced the world’s first single malt whisky aged in ice wine barrels. Their copper pot stills and time-tested traditions mean the whisky they produce is on par with the greatest single malts in Scotland. Their on-site distillery tours take about 25 minutes. Adults will be given samples at the end of tour.
-A Cape Breton House Party with live music for students and dance tutors on Friday evening, July 25th!
Activities offered in association with the school:
- Wednesday Stepper Off'A Size with Cheryl MacQuarrie who has created a dance exercise program. It is a choreographed routine of jig, strathspey's and reels. Cheryl says, "Stepper Off'A Size is for everyone, it can be done at any pace, any age, and it can be as difficult or as simple as you would like to make it. As Zomba is to the Latin community, Stepper Off'A Size would be to the Cape Breton community." It's fun energetic and you'll be guaranteed to step off a few sizes in no time. ($10.00 a person)
- Thursday Yoga Session with Jenny MacKenzie who is a certified Personal Training Specialist and Yoga Instructor of Dannsair Fitness and Wellness. She will conduct a class in meditation and relaxation. ($10.00 a person)
- Mabou Tuesday Night Ceilidhs summer concert series hosted by Melody and Derrick Cameron that is held every Tuesday at 7:30pm in Mabou's St. Mary's Parish Hall. These ceilidhs feature musical guests who are some of Cape Breton's finest traditional musicians and step dancers. ($10.00 a person - pay at the door)