THE CELTIC CONNECTION • NOVEMBER 1995
Page 7
Combining Two Solitudes
By MAURA McCAY
VANCOUVER—It has been said that the transplanted Celts' fervour for cultural connection is frequently passed along to their children and nowhere was this more evident than at the Vancouver East Cultural Centre on October 27, as first generation Canadian, Fiona Blackburn launched her new CD Land of Passages.
After classical training in voice at UBC and performing for many years with the Vancouver Opera, Fiona is returning to her Scottish roots with her first recording project. Her three octave voice and flawless delivery uplifts her audience and takes them on a journey to higher place.
Her strong connection with her Scottish identity can be heard through such wonderful Gaelic songs as Cois Abha Moire Na NDeise (Beside the Great River of the Deise) and Sinnidh mi dan (Simple Song).
At her concert, Fiona recalled some wonderful memories of her father reciting the poetry of Robert Burns. As a wee Highland dancer at many Highland Games, Fiona listened to her dad rehearsing his Toast to the Immortal Memory of Robert Burns.
Her parents, Erskine and Doreen Blackburn, made their own passage from the old country, over 40 years ago.
In their new homeland, the Blackburns kept the flame of cul-
tural heritage alive and were deeply committed to serviceNin their community. Her father is the past-president of both the Vancouver and North Vancouver St. Andrews and Caledonian Societies and he was also Chieftain of the Vancouver Caledonian Games for many years.
Land of Passages is a wonderful blending of cultures and transcends tne boundaries between the strictly traditional and contemporary.
The imaginative arrangements of traditional Irish, Scottish and Canadian folksongs are enhanced with some very original and interesting instrumentation, including drumming of the dumbec, bodhran and tablas, along with the sounds of harp, mandolin and sitar. Don't miss this wonderful collection.
Land of Passages is available through Talisman Production, 12525 243rd Street, Maple Ridge, B.C. V4R 1M2 or call (604) 466-9866.
Entertainment tor November
Friday and Saturday, November 10 and 11 8:30 PM- 12:30 AM Lone Clone (Canteen)
REMEMBRANCE DAY Saturday, November 11 Colling wood Room — 1 PM - 4 PM Robert Stuart Smith • Dan Graham (piper) Canteen — 1 PM - 5 PM — Rlcke Burke 60/40 draw (2 draws) Lots of door prizes (one draw 5 PM) Special bar prices
THE ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION BRANCH 48 3249 Klngsway, Vancouver. B.C. V5R 5K4 Tel: (604) 435-7733 or (604) 433-9029
Get Your Tickets Early for Scotland's favourite dance band
THE GARIOCH BLEND
See Irish & Scottish Dancers also a half hour video of the 1995 BC Highland Games
Showtime 8:30 PM • Dancing 9 PM Advance tickets $12 Door Price $14 FRIDAY, JANUARY 19
The Scottish Cultural Centre 8886 Hudson Street
FOR TICKETS CALL: The Scottish Cultural Centre (604) 263-9911 or The Celtic Connection (604) 434-3747
IRISH DANCER Erin Hickey, with teacher Tony Comerford and fellow dancer Joel Hanna
Champions of Irish Culture
Erin Hickey and Joel Hanna, two accomplished Irish dancers with the Comerford School were winners of their respective age group at a recent feis held in Calgary, Alberta.
Erin and Joel are working hard as they prepare for the Great Britain Championships to be held in Bristol, England. They left for this competition on October 25 but will hurry back to see Jurys Irish Cabaret perform at the Massey Theatre in New Westminster on November 24.
Jurys Cabaret is a fun filled event brought to Vancouver to raise funds to send qualifying dancers from B.C. to the World Irish Dancing Championships in Dublin in next April.
The Celtic community wishes both Erin and Joel every good luck in England. You are truly ambassadors of our culture.
Is proud to offer Quality Celtic Giftware at Affordable Prices.
Greeting Cards, Bookmarks & Key Chains Mythological Art Prints Celtic Cross Replicas Pewter Spirit Flasks & Sterling Jewellery Visionary Art Cards & Posters
Call 604-984-3600 for more information
w
irish
Community
*n*i*g*h*t*
welcomes
CLUB IRELAND ♦ COMHALTAS VANCOUVER IRELAND CANADA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE THE IRISH SPORTING & SOCIAL CLUB STAGE EJREANN
THE HERITAGE HALL ♦3102 MrtW Street (at I5tn Aveme)
TICKETS $10.00
♦ 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Mffet Dinner
♦ 9:00 - U-.OCry.m. live Music & Dance
For more information please call: Sieve ]uhe 434-0847 1 or Kevih Vogflan 254-525<r
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18(1
Robin Thomas
\ Husk; Director