Nova Scotia Artists To Perform At Irish Fest

By Elizabeth Altman

Doherty has lived in Nova Scotia for the past 25 years. Originally a Northern Ireland native from Co. Tyrone, he found his way around the world with the 1980s’ Irish band Barley Bree. Saying of Nova Scotia, "I haven’t found anywhere better to live," Doherty extends his enjoyment of his long-adopted homeland to others as he works within the music industry. MNS enhances Nova Scotia’s market for performers, he said, while continuing to bring traditional and contemporary Irish music to the province. 

Doherty, who remains very active within that tradition, founded the band Evans and Doherty with friend and songwriter Kevin Evans more than 21 years ago. He continued on within the music world even as Barley Bree, which disbanded in the early 1990s. Since the creation of Evans and Doherty, Doherty has ironically realized that the two of them originally established their duo so they could "keep our hand in music while still pursuing other things too." Yet they have enjoyed a much larger success together than through their separate careers. 

Evans and Doherty, who continue to tour, are scheduled to perform with the 2007 Irish Music Cruise as they sail with crew and passengers for Hawaii. There might be hula music, but the trip will also be backdropped classic Irish jigs. Doherty has also been mulling over a possible, but as of yet, unscheduled performance at this year’s Irish Fest. 

The two, who play traditional songs as well as original material with a traditional bent, have also extended their musical hands into the realm of pub ownership.

"It’s every Irish person’s dream to have their own pub," said Doherty as he described the Old Triangle Alehouse he co-founded in both Halifax and New Brunswick, starting six years ago.

The pubs serve up a large menu of traditional and contemporary cuisine ranging from "Paddy Fernandez Nachos" to "Shepherd’s Pie." Of course, their is a myriad assortment of beverage (okay, beer) choices. They additionally provide a healthy, seven-nights-a-week dose of local music and in-house concerts. 

"In Nova Scotia, music’s a huge living tradition, so it’s no big problem to find musicians," said Doherty.

The pubs also offer collectable memorabilia by which to remember an evening out, in the form of t-shirts, sweatshirts, caps and even license plates. 

Asides from setting up Hawaiian cruises and indulging in Ale House nachos, music and beer, Doherty has been working with the board to continue developing Music Nova Scotia policy. He says it constantly seeks "avenues of expansion" and, as president, Doherty will choose the direction those avenues lead. He’ll be granting membership to artists across the musical spectrum, from hip-hop to traditional. Doherty also works to access the funding necessary to grant artists their chance at the international stage, setting up opportunities such as Milwaukee Irish Fest performances. 

Doherty will oversee MNS’ jaunt down to Milwaukee for the first time this year. He is a good friend of fest founder Ed Ward and is excited at his artists’ prospects. 

"Irish Fest is the most prestigious festival of its kind. It’s very well known in the music community as the best. It’s very well run and an honor for traditional artists to be invited," he said.

Planning an opportunity for their performers to meet other festival buyers scouting Irish Fest for talent, Doherty and MNS will hold a reception at the festival’s Celtic Roots Tent on Friday, Aug. 18. The Nova Scotia Minister of Tourism will attend for the evening and a traditional seafood dinner will be served. Doherty explains, how in addition to furthering the careers of their musicians, MNS also hopes to use this opportunity to "encourage people to come seek out the living traditions of Nova Scotia," an effort largely supported by their government sponsors.

And who exactly are the musical groups drumming up all this planning and interest?

Beolach, a five-member band hailing from Cape Breton Island, performs contemporary music that retains the tradition of Scottish, Irish, and Cape Breton style songs while removing them from their original orchestration. The band, whose name means "lively youth," instead perform their material with piano, pipes, whistles, guitar, and fiddles.

Like Beolach, Jerry Holland is also well within the institution of Cape Breton, Scottish, and Irish music. However, his musical strong suit comes in the form of dance accompaniment. Celtic guitarist and violinist Dave MacIsaac will accompany Holland as he plays the fiddle throughout his gig at Irish Fest.

J.P. Cormier, child prodigy and self-taught guitarist since the age of 5, comes to Irish Fest as a renowned singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, award winner and producer. He’s basically your "average" musician extraordinaire.

Dave Gunning, a songwriter and recent winner of the ECMA Folk Album of The Year award for two-bit world, will perform as well. He’s taking time off from his latest project, a Christmas record. Following Irish Fest, Gunning will perform as a special guest with George Canyon’s fall tour.
Celtic artist Mary Jane Lamond provides additional versatility to the group.

The Cottars of Cape Breton will play their native folk music. The two brother-sister pairs meld tradition, such as step dancing, with more contemporary themes as they have developed new arrangements and harmonies to accompany their original songs.

Lastly, MNS rounds out the entertainment contingent with Buddy MacDonald, 25, who comes to Milwaukee as a singer/songwriter steeped in the traditions of his native Cape Breton.

These performance groups/solo artists make up the large-scale, over 700- member enterprise of Music Nova Scotia. In addition to musicians, the organization also welcomes membership from across the music spectrum, from booking agencies to graphic artists to instrument dealers and creators. Membership information and other Music Nova Scotia events are available online at its website http://www.musicnovascotia.ca/default2.asp.
 
 

Elizabeth Altman can be reached at lizzyaltman@hotmail.com.