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June 18, 2008
Music
centre in Judique hosts launch of 3rd edition of Failte
-by Frank Macdonald,
Inverness Oran
The Celtic
Music Interpretative Centre in Judique is a miracle of
community determination coupled with its own depth of music
talent, and on Friday evening those strengths joined forces
to celebrate each other.
The
occasion was the launching of Failte 3 - Traditions. Each
year now musicians contribute a tune or song to a
compilation recording that showcases the island’s talent in
a single CD concert. Sales of the Faitle series help support
the music centre, but the support for the popular, newly
opened building, is far more reaching than just the
generosity of the musicians.
Larry
Graham, chair of the board for the centre, told Island
Echoes host Wendy Berkfeldt, that the centre was a vision
that has become a reality. The major force behind it, he
pointed out, was Leo MacDonell, a tireless volunteer whose
work on behalf of Judique is legendary. But it wasn’t
MacDonell alone who made the concept happen.
There are
about 150 people who become involved in an annual Celtic
Golf Classic held in Baddeck each year. These people give of
their time in organizing and preparing for the golf
fund-raiser. This year, Judique’s Celtic Golf Classic
celebrates its 10th year.
When the
community settled on the concept of a Celtic Music
Interpretative Centre it did not immediately rush off to
lobby for government assistance in fulfilling this
particular economic and cultural dream. It organized the
golf classic, and over the years the annual tournament has
raised an average of $40,000 towards the centre. Not until
the community had $300,000 salted away in the bank did it
then approach government sources to make a further
investment in Judique’s vision.
Like the
music, the golf classic has become a tradition, and this
year’s edition of Failte 3 has been subtitled Traditions,
commemorating both the music and the volunteers whose
efforts continue to raise money to sustain the Celtic Music
Interpretive Centre.
Wendy
Berkfeldt, whose Saturday night CBC radio show, Island
Echoes, is also a Cape Breton tradition, broadcast the CD
launch live to listeners across the island. (The show is in
two segments and next Saturday night at 8 p.m. check in on
CBC Cape Breton for the second segment of this night filled
with live music.
Throughout
the evening many musicians took part in the session
including Buddy MacMaster, Glenn Graham, Jerry Holland,
Tracey Dares, Paul MacNeil, Kinnon and Andrea Beaton and
many others.
It is
because of events such as Friday evening’s launch, the
year-round Sunday ceilidhs, the workshops and other sessions
that keep music fans returning again and again that is
quickly turning a community’s economic vision into a
cultural institution that promises many more parties and
music compilations to come.
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