Learning Opportunities

Learning Opportunities offer a variety of workshops, presentations, demonstrations and interactive lectures based on Celtic cultural history, music, dance, art, craft, and community heritage. Weaving together the traditional connections of our communities, the intricate technical knowledge of our performers, and those who focus on aspects of Celtic culture in their academic pursuits, the series is sure to entertain and enlighten you.

Friday, October 5th

10:00 AM – Am Breacan Bòidheach Fàsanta: Mary’s Bonny Plaid – Natural Dye Workshop – Highland Village Museum/An Clachan Gàidhealach – Iona – $10
12:30 PM – Workshop: Weaving for Absolute Beginners – Baddeck Volunteer Fire Department Community Centre – Baddeck – $50 includes materials
2:00 PM – Cape Breton Ceilidh – Port Hastings Museum – Port Hastings – Donations accepted
2:00 PM – Joe Neil MacNeil Memorial Lecture: Cape Breton Step Dance – Highland Village Museum/An Clachan Gàidhealach – Iona – Free

Saturday, October 6th

9:00 AM – Forging Friendships – FireHouse Ironworks – Whycocomagh – Donation
9:30 AM – Step Dance and Square Dance Workshop – Whycocomagh Education Centre – Whycocomagh – $10
10:30 AM – Féis Mhàbu Cultural Workshops for Youth – Dalbrae Academy – Mabou – $10 / workshop; $20 day pass; $50 family pass
12:30 PM – Workshop: Native Basket Weaving – Baddeck Volunteer Fire Department Community Centre – Baddeck – $50 includes materials
1:00 PM – Buzz Busting and Stringing without Tears – Gaelic College – St. Ann's – $20
1:00 PM – Basket Weaving Demonstration – Scotsville School of Crafts – Scotsville – Donation

Sunday, October 7th

9:00 AM – Forging Friendships – FireHouse Ironworks – Whycocomagh – Donation
11:00 AM – Luthiers and Fluthiers – Gaelic College – St. Ann's – Free
12:30 PM – Celtic Knot Quilting – Baddeck Volunteer Fire Department Community Centre – Baddeck – $50 includes materials
12:30 PM – Cape Breton Harp Festival Workshop with Catriona McKay – Gaelic College – St. Ann's – $25
1:00 PM – Bobbin Lace Demonstration – Scotsville School of Crafts – Scotsville – Admission by Donation

Monday, October 8th

10:00 AM – Buddy MacMaster School of Fiddling – Celtic Music Interpretive Centre – Judique – $125 / day or $450 / week
10:00 AM – Cape Breton Harp Festival Workshop with Lily Neill – Gaelic College – St. Ann's – $25
11:00 AM – CBC Mainstreet Live – Knox Presbyterian Church – Baddeck – Free
12:30 PM – Introduction to Hooking – Baddeck Volunteer Fire Department Community Centre – Baddeck – $50 includes materials
1:00 PM – Beginner and Intermediate Fiddle Class – Bras d'Or Lakes Inn – St. Peter's – $35 per person per class
1:00 PM – The Bell Series – Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site – Baddeck – Free
1:00 PM – Sock Knitting Machine demonstration – Scotsville School of Crafts – Scotsville – Donations
1:00 PM – Cape Breton Harp Festival Workshop with Laoise Kelly – Gaelic College – St. Ann's – $25
1:30 PM – Square Dance Workshop – Roddie’s Set – St. Peter's United Church Hall – St. Peter's – $7
2:00 PM – Red River Jig Squaredance Workshop – Sydney Curling Club – Sydney – $5
2:00 PM – Advanced Fiddle Class – Bras d'Or Lakes Inn – St. Peter's – $35 per person per class
2:00 PM – Beginner Tin Whistle Workshop – Bras d'Or Lakes Inn – St. Peter's – $15 per person per class
3:00 PM – Celtic Guitar Chording – Bras d'Or Lakes Inn – St. Peter's – $35 per person per class

Tuesday, October 9th

10:00 AM – Buddy MacMaster School of Fiddling – Celtic Music Interpretive Centre – Judique – $125 / day or $450 / week
11:00 AM – CBC Mainstreet Live – Knox Presbyterian Church – Baddeck – Free
12:15 PM – Celtic Conversations Series – McConnell Library – Sydney – Free
1:00 PM – Beginner and Intermediate Fiddle Class – Bras d'Or Lakes Inn – St. Peter's – $35 per person per class
1:00 PM – The Bell Series – Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site – Baddeck – Free
1:00 PM – Weaving Demonstration – Scotsville School of Crafts – Scotsville – Donation
1:00 PM – Demonstration: Sydney Weavers Guild – Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design – Sydney – Free
2:00 PM – Atelier de masque / Mask making workshop – Mi-Carême Center – Grand Étang Harbour – $15 per person
2:00 PM – Advanced Fiddle Class – Bras d'Or Lakes Inn – St. Peter's – $35 per person per class
2:00 PM – Traditional Céilidh – Highland Village Museum/An Clachan Gàidhealach – Iona – Museum admission charges apply
2:00 PM – Storytelling and Afternoon Tea – Chestico Museum – Port Hood – $10
3:00 PM – Celtic Guitar Chording – Bras d'Or Lakes Inn – St. Peter's – $35 per person per class

Wednesday, October 10th

10:00 AM – Buddy MacMaster School of Fiddling – Celtic Music Interpretive Centre – Judique – $125 / day or $450 / week
10:30 AM – Banjo Workshop – Bras d'Or Lakes Inn – St. Peter's – $35 per person per class
11:00 AM – CBC Mainstreet Live – Knox Presbyterian Church – Baddeck – Free
12:15 PM – Celtic Conversations Series – McConnell Library – Sydney – Free
1:00 PM – Beginner and Intermediate Fiddle Class – Bras d'Or Lakes Inn – St. Peter's – $35 per person per class
1:00 PM – The Bell Series – Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site – Baddeck – Free
1:00 PM – Demonstration: Sydney Weavers Guild – Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design – Sydney – Free
1:00 PM – Square Dance Lessons – Scotsville School of Crafts – Scotsville – Donation
2:00 PM – Advanced Fiddle Class – Bras d'Or Lakes Inn – St. Peter's – $35 per person per class
2:00 PM – Beginner Tin Whistle Workshop – Bras d'Or Lakes Inn – St. Peter's – $15 per person per class
3:00 PM – Celtic Guitar Chording – Bras d'Or Lakes Inn – St. Peter's – $35 per person per class
10:30 PM – Ghosts and Legends – St. Patrick's Church Museum – Sydney – $10 / pre-registration required

Thursday, October 11th

10:00 AM – Buddy MacMaster School of Fiddling – Celtic Music Interpretive Centre – Judique – $125 / day or $450 / week
10:30 AM – Banjo Workshop – Bras d'Or Lakes Inn – St. Peter's – $35 per person per class
11:00 AM – CBC Mainstreet Live – Knox Presbyterian Church – Baddeck – Free
12:15 PM – Celtic Conversations Series – McConnell Library – Sydney – Free
1:00 PM – Knitting Machine Demonstration – Scotsville School of Crafts – Scotsville – Donation
1:00 PM – Beginner and Intermediate Fiddle Class – Bras d'Or Lakes Inn – St. Peter's – $35 per person per class
1:00 PM – The Bell Series – Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site – Baddeck – Free
2:00 PM – Atelier de danse traditionnelle/traditional dance workshop – Mi-Carême Center – Grand Étang Harbour – $15 per person
2:00 PM – Luthier Workshop – Bras d'Or Lakes Inn – St. Peter's – $20 per person
2:00 PM – Traditional Céilidh & Gaelic Song – Highland Village Museum/An Clachan Gàidhealach – Iona – Museum charges apply

Friday, October 12th

10:00 AM – Buddy MacMaster School of Fiddling – Celtic Music Interpretive Centre – Judique – $125 / day or $450 / week
11:00 AM – CBC Mainstreet Live – Knox Presbyterian Church – Baddeck – Free
12:15 PM – Celtic Conversations Series – McConnell Library – Sydney – Free
1:00 PM – The Bell Series – Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site – Baddeck – Free
1:00 PM – Demonstration: Sydney Weavers Guild – Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design – Sydney – Free
2:00 PM – Special Storytelling Tour – Highland Village Museum/An Clachan Gàidhealach – Iona – Museum admission charges apply
2:00 PM – Guitar Workshop – Bras d'Or Lakes Inn – St. Peter's – $35 per person per class

Saturday, October 13th

1:00 PM – Weaving Demonstration – Scotsville School of Crafts – Scotsville – Donation
4:00 PM – Shanties and Tall Tales – Cossit House Museum – Sydney – $12