What’s happening
November 14, 2015
East Coast Musical Act Comes to the West Coast
KelownaNow …The Barra MacNeils are kicking off the holiday season this year in the Okanagan with the Kelowna concert. Singalong songs like oh Holy Night, Ave Maria, and A Christmas in Killarney will be played at the Christmas Celtic concert, along with original pieces by the band. The concert takes place on November 17th.
Read moreJune 29, 2015
Indian River Festival’s 20th season opens with Barra MacNeils
Standing tall and majestically white amid the greenest greens imaginable in its surrounding fields, St. Mary’s Church was the summer solstice weekend destination for hundreds of concertgoers last Saturday evening.
In a sold-out opening night for the Indian River Festival’s new season, Cape Breton’s the Barra MacNeils were the main attraction on an occasion that also celebrated pivotal Indian River turning points for 2015.
“Opening night at Indian River Festival is always my favourite night of the year,” says Patricia Hobbs, Indian River Festival chair, in her greeting that evening.
Read moreJune 18, 2015
Opening 20th season of Indian River Festival with a Barra MacNeil bang
Cape Breton’s Barra MacNeils will be opening the Indian River Festival’s 20th season.
The performance takes place Saturday, June 20, at St. Mary’s Church at 7:30 p.m.
Known for their Celtic music talent, the Barra MacNeils continue to sell out shows around the world since they started 28 years ago.
May 24, 2015
Lucy MacNeil – At Home Here in Nova Scotia – by Sea and be Scene
Where’s your favourite place in Nova Scotia to grab a coffee? When I am home I don’t tend to move too far so, when I don’t brew someKicking Horse coffee at home, I may meet up with a friend at the Ugly Mug in Sydney River. A really great cup of coffee can also be found at Soundpark studio in Coxheath for anyone looking to record AND have great java 😉
Read moreApril 13, 2015
Barra MacNeils make first trip to Yorkton
This is the first time the group will play in Yorkton, MacNeil believes, and he says that the regular Barra MacNeil show, which has “all the hits” and is a lively show with traditional music, singing and step dancing.
“I always find it exciting to play in a new place, visiting an area that you haven’t seen before and playing in a theatre that you haven’t been in before… Hopefully we can make some new friends and some new fans.”
The Barra MacNeils at Vic Juba Community Theatre
Simon Arseneau
Multimedia Journalist
For the group Barra MacNeils music is not just a career, it is a family business that has been going on for nearly 30 years.
MacNeil siblings Kyle, Lucy, Sheumas, Stewart, Boyd, and Jamie Gatti have been performing for audiences since 1986 with an assortment of instruments such as piano, Celtic harp, guitar, flute, banjo, and the accordion.
“My three older brothers, Sheumas, Kule and Stewart, they performed the three of them for many years as the MacNeil brothers, and then the Barra MacNeils,” said Lucy MacNeil. “My first stint was actually Expo ‘86 in Vancouver, that was my first full summer with the Barra MacNeils. We’ve been going ever since.”
Read moreFebruary 11, 2015
The Barra MacNeils in Massachusetts
…Now the Chevalier will add another chapter to its distinguished history by serving as a venue for the Barra MacNeils, whose performances are noted for featuring multiple lead vocalists, songs in English and Gaelic, entrancing harmonies, numerous acoustic, stringed, percussion and wind instruments, and step dancing…
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