For almost six decades, the Hector’s Point hillside in Iona has come alive for the annual Là Mór a’ Bhaile | Highland Village Day Concert. Started in 1962 as way to raise money for the construction and operation of Baile nan Gàidheal | Highland Village, the concert has featured the very best of Nova Scotia Gaelic culture from established and up-and-coming fiddlers, pipers, singers, dancers, and more, all with the spectacular backdrop of the Bras d’Or Lake. Highland Village Day is the 2nd longest running outdoor “Scotch” concert on the Island.
For 2020, to keep its audience, volunteers and performers safe, the annual Highland Village Day concert will move from a live hillside event to a special on-line presentation that the audience can experience from the comfort and safety of their own home. The on-line concert special will feature performances from locations throughout the Baile nan Gàidheal | Highland Village museum site and a finale on the stage itself.
Performers include Kyle MacNeil, Sheumas and Monica MacNeil and family, Donnie Campbell, Buddy MacDonald, Howie MacDonald, Joanne MacIntyre and boys, Stephanie MacDonald, Susan MacLean, Hannah Krebs, Katherine MacDonald, Shawnee Paul, Nora Fownes, Phillip and Marley Whyte, and members of the Cape Breton University Pipe Band – Aiden, Cameron, Emma and Cody MacNeil. The program is hosted by Joe Murphy and also features our annual Award of Merit and Stòras na h-Òigridh | Treasures of Youth presentations.
“We are pleased to share this special online presentation during these unique times,” states Highland Village Director Rodney Chaisson, “It enables us to share our culture with the world while marking the 60th Anniversary of the Nova Scotia Highland Village Society and our 20th Anniversary as a member of the Nova Scotia Museum family.
The 59th Annual Là Mór a’ Bhaile | Highland Village Day Concert will be available at 8 pm on Saturday, August 1st, 2020 on the Highland Village’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.
Baile nan Gàidheal | Highland Village is a part of the Nova Scotia Museum, operated in partnership by the Nova Scotia Highland Village Society. For more information visit highlandvillage.ca phone 902-725-2272 (toll free 1-866-442-3542).
