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
I left Gaspé on January 5th to return to St. John’s, Newfoundland for another semester of school. On the first day of the drive back, I was definitely feeling a little sad to leave the community and my quiet camp with its wood stove and gorgeous view of Gaspé Bay. But I was also looking forward … More December Echoes
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
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
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
The past weekend was a busy and festive time around Gaspé and seemed to mark an unofficial start of the holiday season with a full-schedule of Christmas parties and community events. On Saturday, there was a dinner at the Mason’s Lodge, a nighttime concert by Nash Stanley at the Legion, and a carol singing in Cap-aux-Os. … More Christmas Time’s A Comin’: Gaspesian Sounds From Last Weekend (Nov 28-29)
Just a quick note to let readers know that I’ll be at Vision’s Barachois Wellness Centre this coming Wednesday, November 25, 2015. Once again I’ll be sharing music from our archives during the afternoon session to give you a sense of our collections and get your feedback. The event takes place at the Legion in … More Upcoming Event – Barachois Wellness Centre: November 25, 2015
There were some wonderful Remembrance (Armistice) Day ceremonies around Gaspé on Wednesday, beginning with an ecumenical mass in Douglastown, and followed by a ceremony at the cenotaph near the bridge in the town of Gaspé. Many from the Gaspé Coast served during 20th and 21st century conflicts and the memory of those who fell, those who … More Gaspé Veteran Stories – The Memory Project
On October 7, I was invited by Vision to their monthly Wellness Centre at the Legion in Gaspé to give a presentation about our collaboration to share archival recordings with the community. I arrived with my laptop and boombox to a room of about twenty women chatting as they finished their lunch and proceeded to set up. … More Gaspé Wellness Centre – CD Sampler Now Available for Online Streaming
For this most creepy time of year, I’d like to share a recording of Ray McAuley and Wild Country singing a Buck Owen’s classic, “A Monster’s Holiday.” These guys were one tight band, as good live as on record. Ray was from a family of country singers and guitar pickers from Douglastown, Gaspé, Quebec. His … More A Monster’s Holiday – Ray McAuley and Wild Country
