Category: Uncategorized

Gérard Durette at the Wakeham-York Homecoming Fiddle Contest

May 3, 2017

… perhaps the most significant phenomenon in the English-speaking community was the 10-day Wakeham-York Homecoming Festival which ran for 25 years starting in 1978. I’ll say more about the festival in future posts but for now, I want to note that it has been both interesting but also very complicated trying to write about something I never experienced myself (I began coming to Gaspé about six years after the festival folded). Still, many people talk about the festival and I want to give it its due when I write about it. I’ll return to this topic at the end of the post. … More Gérard Durette at the Wakeham-York Homecoming Fiddle Contest

“It’s a Long Way to Tipperary” – St. Patrick’s Day With Leo Fitzpatrick (1981 & 2007)

March 17, 2017

Happy St. Patrick’s Day dear readers, As much as this is a day for celebration for many in Gaspé and beyond, today I would like to pay a little homage to one of the longest supporters of Irish culture around Gaspé, Leo Fitzpatrick, who passed away last month. I’ll try not to make this too … More “It’s a Long Way to Tipperary” – St. Patrick’s Day With Leo Fitzpatrick (1981 & 2007)

How To Chord For Fiddlers – With Brigid Drody

August 1, 2016

One of the aims of this project is to provide aspiring musicians in the community with resources to develop their playing or singing. There’s a lot of practical knowledge about playing music among the wider Gaspesian community at home and away. The archives can, in a small way, help convey this know-how. In a region … More How To Chord For Fiddlers – With Brigid Drody

Upcoming Music (03-20-2016): Grade 6 Trip Fundraiser, Gaspé Elementary

March 14, 2016

My friend Angie Levesque recently posted information on her Facebook page about an upcoming musical event of interest for those in the Gaspesian community. She has allowed me to share the info with you: Music, Music, Music A fundraiser for the Grade 6 year-end trip at Gaspe Elementary school will be held on March 20 … More Upcoming Music (03-20-2016): Grade 6 Trip Fundraiser, Gaspé Elementary

Uncle Peter’s Tune

February 4, 2016

I just shared some fine old-time Gaspesian fiddling on our sister blog (Old-Time Fiddle Music From the Gaspé Coast). It features two fine fiddlers, Erskine Morris and Kingsley Marion, both playing this captivating stepdance tune that was once perhaps in wide circulation in the area. Here is the link to the music. If you know … More Uncle Peter’s Tune

Merry Christmas from the Leo Fitzpatrick fonds

December 22, 2015

In archival terminology, a “fonds” describes a collection of unique documents created by an individual or organization through their regular activities. Modern archival practice largely traces itself to post-revolutionary France and the conscious effort to safeguard the records of the new republic; the idea of an archival “fonds” has its roots here and we still … More Merry Christmas from the Leo Fitzpatrick fonds

Musical Happy Hour (5 à 7) at Douglas Community Centre Tonight – Dec 18, 2015

December 18, 2015

Tonight is the monthly happy hour at the Douglas Community Centre. Bring refreshments and a snack to share and enjoy some music with myself, Nash Stanley, Norma McDonald, and Kathy Kennedy. We look forward to seeing some familiar and new faces and playing music for you. Date: December 18, 2015 Time: 5 – 7 pm … More Musical Happy Hour (5 à 7) at Douglas Community Centre Tonight – Dec 18, 2015

Tomorrow @ the Gaspé Wellness Centre: Music and Alzheimer’s Project

December 1, 2015

A quick last-minute announcement: At tomorrow’s (December 2, 2015) Wellness Centre at the Legion in Gaspé, Lorraine Blais from the Douglas Community Centre will be giving a presentation on a new project she is developing involving music and people with Alzheimer’s and dementia in the community. The Wellness Centre starts at 10 a.m. and Lorraine’s … More Tomorrow @ the Gaspé Wellness Centre: Music and Alzheimer’s Project