| 12 Wings Pipes and Drums Canadian Forces Regular Force Volunteer Pipes and Drums from Shearwater Nova Scotia | |
| Amethyst Scottish Dancers of Nova Scotia Known as ambassadors of Nova Scotia, The Amethyst Scottish Dancers have been entertaining audiences worldwide since 1985. The troupe is comprised of highly-trained highland and step dancers, aged 9-21, who blend traditional and contemporary choreography to give audiences an exciting taste of Nova Scotia’s vibrant Scottish culture. Over the course of the group's history, dancers have entertained Royalty, cruise ship passengers and thousands of others at conventions and other public performances both at home and abroad. For more information, visit http://www.amethystscottishdancersns.ca/ | |
| Ashelin Indigenous to the rocky shores of Newfoundland, are a five sibling female band with a sound described as "canadiana" folk. Kaliyan, Cassy, Joesie, Thea and Shaelin Palmer began making music together from a very young age. They never expected this childhood passion to flourish like it did and soon found themselves embarking on a musical journey that is winning them the attention of fans from all around the world. Ashelin have become known for their sparkling female vocals and intricate harmonies which create an interesting brand of folk roots that shines through their original song writing and novel interpretations of traditional tunes. | |
| Dave MacIsaac and Louis Benoit BIO Dave MacIsaac is a musicians' musician. John Allan Cameron once said, if you put strings on a cod he could play it. Dave plays both fiddle and guitar and is known to possess an impressive archive of the older players which he willingly shares. He has performed on numerous recordings and TV programs and is World renowned master of string instruments, Cape Breton legend, and one of the finest Celtic guitarists in the world. Dave’s traditionally-rooted style complements perfectly his “close to the core” sound. Accompanying him is Louis Benoit playing a pure and skillful guitar. | |
| Diaga Irish Dance Established in 2010, Diaga Irish Dance is a school of traditional Irish dance in Halifax and is expanding to Bedford in September, 2014. The dancers in the school range in age from 4-21 and compete and perform year round. The school hosts The Celtic Christmas Show, co-hosts the annual Crossroads Ceili, and the biennial Fundy Feis. This year, six dancers will be representing Diaga at the qualifying for the World Irish Dancing Championship in Montreal. The school is led by creative director and former Riverdance cast member Zeph Caissie who also directs The Nova Scotia Irish Dancers. The group which features several Diaga students performs at the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo each summer and will be traveling to Germany for a performance in the Hamburg Tattoo this October. | |
| Jug in Hand BIO Jug in Hand is comprised of Brian England, Lewis MacKinnon and Danny Sutherland. All Nova Scotian born and raised, these boys have been pleasing audiences from all over the world with their musical talents for over a decade. From small, intimate pubs to festival stages, from concert halls to corporate functions, Jug in Hand is all about audience engagement, participation and fun. The band enjoys the opportunity to personally interact with its audience and feeds on that spontaneous energy. Soaring harmonies are at the core of Jug in Hand's sound. This is a band that loves to sing, and strong, earthy vocals are the group's hallmark. Jug in Hand wields an impressive repertoire of the traditional Irish, Scottish and Maritime music that inspires one to laugh, clap or dance along! Combine that with some carefully chosen classic folk, rock and pub tunes, and your kitchen party experience with The Jug is complete! Since its inception in 1994, Jug in Hand has released four recordings: 1997's Dunmore Road, 1999's Skullduggery and Prose, the compilation One For the Road and 2002's Delirium, showcase the fun of Jug in Hand's live show as well as the group's always present "party vibe" and powerful and poignant ballad and original composition performances round off a tasteful musical presentation. Jug in Hand also showcases Lewis MacKinnon's Gaelic repertoire. His 2006 recording A’ Seo contains an ECMA Roots Category nomination. In 2010, Lewis completed a solo, all-English recording titled, Making More Of It. You can pick up copies at any Jug in Hand gig or by visiting www.lewismackinnon.com. | |
| Lewis MacKinnon Festival Host and Master of Ceremonies | |
| RCMP ‘H’ Division Pipes and Drums (Nova Scotia) The RCMP ‘H’ Division Pipes and Drums (Nova Scotia) was formed in May 2004 and is one of seven RCMP volunteer pipe bands located in communities across Canada. The seven pipe bands are in Halifax, NS; Moncton, NB; Montreal, QC; Ottawa, ON; Regina, SK; Edmonton, AB; and Vancouver, BC. The RCMP ‘H’ Division Pipes and Drums is comprised of police and citizen volunteers from throughout Nova Scotia who come together to share and showcase their musical talent and help bring the community closer to its national police. Since its first public appearance at the annual Apple Blossom Parade in Kentville, NS, in May 2005, the band has been in constant demand to appear at public functions. The band has a wealth of talent and experience in its ranks, with most members having previously played in bands from the Grade 4 to Grade 1 competitive levels. This allows the band to deliver a high quality, high impact presentation in terms of sound as well as appearance. The band proudly wears the RCMP tartan kilt and world famous red serge tunic as its dress uniform. The tartan was designed in 1997 with colours derived from the RCMP uniform and badge. It was officially presented to the RCMP by HRH Princess Anne at a ceremony held in Fredericton, NB, in 1998. | |
| RCMP "H" Division Highland Dance Troupe The RCMP "H" Division Highland Dance Troupe is comprised of experienced dancers, most of whom have earned their 'Premiere Dancer' designation after years of dedicated training and practice. Like the members of the Pipes & Drums, all the dancers are volunteers. The Dance Troupe performs with the Pipes & Drums at concerts, Tattoos, ceremonies and other special events. In addition to the traditional Scottish Highland dances, the troupe also has choreographed their own numbers. The troupe wears a variety of costumes when performing. Most often they can be seen in their white dresses with blue bodice and RCMP tartan sashes, but depending on the nature of the dance, they may wear the traditional 'kilt and vest' for dances like the Highland Fling or Sword Dance, the 'Aboyne' for any of the National Dances, the 'Sailor's square rig' for the Sailor's Hornpipe, or an Irish Jig costume. | |
| Scaip na Cleiti: Nova Scotia Irish Set Dancers Scaip na Cleiti* is the Irish Set Dancing group in Nova Scotia. We have two weekly activities, a Sunday afternoon dance music session at the Old Triangle and a Monday evening class. We also meet bi-weekly for sean nos step classes. Irish Set Dancing is sweeping the world. To put it simply, eight people create a square formation, and follow a series of movements using simple footwork. More than that, it's cultural, musical, social and good exercise. This article, The Joy of Sets, by Bill Lynch, explains set dancing to non-set dancers. http://www.setdancingns.com/ | |
| Sham-Rocks The Sham-Rocks are four friends who have been together since the turn of the century (formed in 2000). Their love of Maritime music as well as old Irish and Scottish tunes combined with their harmonies has all at their performances singing, clapping their hands and tapping their feet. Influenced by the likes of Tommy Makem, The Clancy Brothers, Evans and Doherty and Ryan’s Fancy, the Sham-Rocks combine 6 and 12 string guitars, bass guitar, mandolin and the tin whistle to recreate the beautiful Celtic sounds all have grown to love. Whether it's at the local Pub, a Golf and Country Club, a Church social or a Convention Center a grand time is had by all. Places which The Sham-Rocks have played include: • The Old Triangle – An Irish Pub in Halifax • Three years at the Mirmachi Irish Festival and O’Donahue’s Pub. • Brightwood Golf & Country Club for several St. Patrick’s Shows & Pub Nights • The Charitable Irish Society’s St. Patricks Night Dinner. • A Sold out show at Casino Nova Scotia. • St. Patrick’s Church, Halifax: a fundraiser Pub Night • Their Special 10th Anniversary Concert at Alderney Landing Theatre in Dartmouth, which raised in excess of $2,000 for a local charity. • An annual Robbie Burns Day show in Dartmouth, where they highlight some of their Scottish Tunes. Also numerous hospitals and senior’s homes and even a church in a cemetery and on a tour boat in Halifax Harbour. The Sham-Rocks are Bill McCallum, Sean Brownlow, Erno Reti and Jim Stokes. | |
| The 78th Highlanders (Halifax Citadel) Pipe Band The 78th Highlanders (Halifax Citadel) Pipe Band is a non-profit, charitable organization whose members perform and instruct the musical arts of the Highland bagpipe, snare drum and other related instruments. The band has been in existence, under different names, since the 1930s and currently has approximately 60 pipers and drummers playing at the Grade 3 and Grade 1 level. | |
| The Stanfields Everyone has a story to tell about The Stanfields – if you don’t, give it time. Inciting mosh pits and still making Mom proud, The Stanfields attract fans of all classes and creeds that vocalist Jon Landry affectionately describes as “people who work hard and play hard, and are the most generous, down to earth and supportive people that one could ever hope to meet.” There are no glamorous motives – just five working class Canadians with an honest desire to entertain. “I think being a ‘working class musician’ is a great thing to aspire to,” Jon muses. “To us, ‘rock-star’ is a dirty word that caters more to your ego than your quality of life.” It started in 2008 when The Stanfields took the East coast entirely by storm with their rhythm-fueled hard rock laced with traditional roots sounds. Coming onto the scene with a single entitled “The Dirtiest Drunk (in the History of Liquor)” and a live show best described as intense celebration, it’s easy for those who’ve yet to dig deeper to coin The Stanfields as a one-dimensional kitchen party band with a drink in their hands. | |
| The Worry Birds The Worry Birds are a three piece folk band from Fall River, Nova Scotia. They play singable, original songs and they take their sweet time writing and arranging each one. Over the last three years, the band's repertoire has grown slowly and deliberately as busy lives have clashed with band practice. However, there is a common understanding within the group that most things “may take a while” and they have accepted this fact, albeit reluctantly. http://www.theworrybirds.com/home | |
| Tony and Shannon Quinn This father & daughter duo will delight you with their repertoire of Scottish & Irish tunes with Shannon on fiddle, Irish dancing or singing a solo or a duet with her dad as he plays guitar. Shannon has been no stranger to the limelight growing up with comedian/musician father, Tony Quinn. Playing fiddle and step dancing since a very young age, Shannon has learned the crafts well and has blossomed into a fine young artist. | |
| Worthen School of Highland Dance Formerly from Stellarton, Jennifer started dancing at the age of 7 and trained under Janice Macquarrie of Antigonish. Jennifer won the Nova Scotia Championship four times and represented her province at the ScotDance Canada Championship Series for 10 consecutive years. She also competed in the Scottish Championships in Scotland winning silver. Jennifer is a former member of the original performing group, “The Scotia Highland Dancers.” She has also toured across the Maritime Provinces performing with the musical show, “Sail On Nova Scotia” and has traveled internationally with “Sea Sell,” both groups promoting tourism for Nova Scotia. With 28 years experience teaching dancing, Jennifer has taught hundreds of dancers over the years. Some of her students won Provincial and Atlantic Championships and others became SDTA dance teachers. Jennifer enjoys teaching workshops and also runs her own dance school in Dartmouth. | |
