gaelicyouthweek@hotmail.ca

About Féis Mhàbu

Comunn Féis Mhàbu is a dynamic organization whose purpose is to facilitate the progressive development of Gaelic Language and Culture in Mabou and the surrounding area. Our mission is to ensure the long sustainability of Gaelic culture by investing in its community base. We offer a wide range of programs to educate residents about the value of Gaelic language and culture and provide opportunities for the transmission of cultural skills in intergenerational social settings. Although we are based in Mabou, our programs draw participants from the surrounding area, and in some instances, from all over Cape Breton and beyond. 

For the past 17 years Féis Mhàbu has been a leader in community based cultural development. We have provided leadership in the field of language instruction through our work to develop and apply the Gàidhlig aig Baile (GAB) methodology. Féis Mhàbu was one of the first groups in the province to train GAB language instructors and to offer immersion classes at the community level. We are currently the only organization in the province adapting the GAB model for youth Gaelic immersion.

Our organization has taken a leading role in nurturing young traditional musicians. Since its founding, Féis Mhàbu has presented an annual weekend of workshops in traditional music, dance and Gaelic. For some, the workshops provide an opportunity to try a new discipline, while others may hone their skills under the tutelage of a professional musician. More recently, we are focusing on nurturing young traditional musicians and Gaelic singers by providing opportunities to be mentored by well respected tradition bearers in the intimate setting of the home.

One of the unique features of Féis Mhàbu is that we are an organization without a building. This allows us the freedom to hold our programs in the venues that best suit them.  By hosting programs in various venues, Féis Mhàbu contributes to the maintenance of public spaces and ensures that financial resources are directed toward programming, instead of overhead.

Program & Events Highlights

Éirich Air!

First offered in 2008 and again in 2009, "Éirich Air!" supports an eight week Gaelic song mentorship program. This new program invites Gaelic tradition bearer guests to act as Gaelic song mentors along with a Gaelic host to facilitate a song learning session. In order to create a learning opportunity that is authentic, the sessions are held in a home where Gaelic song and Gaelic language has its roots. At each session, a Gaelic instructor designates a Gaelic area in the home for Gaelic song mentoring, Gaelic Tea, and Gaelic greetings. All other areas of the home are bilingual. These sessions bring Gaelic language learning and Gaelic song learning together in a natural and communal fashion.

Beginner Fiddle Classes

Féis Mhàbu has partnered with Inverness County Recreation and Tourism to offer eight week beginner fiddle courses for youth and adults out of Dalbrae Academy in Mabou. In 2008 there were 21 students registered in these courses.

Féis Mhàbu's Thanksgiving Weekend Workshops

These workshops are held over the opening weekend of Celtic Colours International Festival. There are over 40 workshops to choose from, with local instructors provided by Féis Mhàbu and international artists provided by Celtic Colours.

Gaelic Song Circle

Féis Mhàbu holds the Gaelic Song Circle event during the opening weekend of Celtic Colours International Festival.  This event features Gaelic singers in an intimate and interactive setting. The singers are unamplified and the audience is encouraged to ask questions and join in choruses. The event is held annually at the Mabou Gaelic and Historical Society's building, An Drochaid, and features local and international talent.

GAB Gaelic Immersion

Two 200-hour adult Gaelic Immersion Classes and a thirty hour GAB booster session for our advanced Gaelic learners have been completed. These classes are taught in homes in the community through GAB instruction, with emphasis on making learning relaxed and fun. Instructors and participants use body gestures, repetition and props to help communicate with one another in the "Gaelic only" environment. Reading and writing are not taught in this program. Participants learn Gaelic as they learned their first language. A GAB program is currently in progress with 15 students enrolled.

The Gàidhlig dhan Oigridh (Gaelic Youth) Program 

This program took place in Mabou July 24-29, 2006.  Féis Mhàbu was pleased to be one of the host organizations that partnered with Culture Division and Highland Council to organize and operate this program. Forty children participated, and each day at least five parents were on hand to help with the classes, while another 5-10 parents participated in Gaelic language classes for parents.

The Gaelic Instructor in Residence Program

In response to the Gaelic Youth Program, parents and community requested a more consistent Gaelic learning opportunity for their children. Consequently Highland Council MOU and Nova Scotia MOU assisted our organization in locating a Gaelic instructor. Joy Dunlop of Connel, Scotland taught Gaelic and Gaelic song in our community from March until August in 2007. As part of the Gaelic Instructor in Residence Program, a 10 week after school program was offered out of Bayview Elementary School in Port Hood, NS. The after school program offered Gaelic language and song, Cape Breton step dance and square dance, physical activities/sports and arts and crafts components. One hundred and eight children were registered in this program.

The Mabou Musical Mentorship Program 

2009 marked the fifth year that Féis Mhàbu offered its' Musical Mentorship Program for young musicians. This unique program uses house sessions to bring together talented young performers of Cape Breton music and dance with well established tradition bearers. The relaxed, informal atmosphere of the sessions is well suited for the passing on of music, dance and stories.  Between 2006 and 2009 the Musical Mentorship Program presented community concerts and events in Mabou Parish Hall, St. Anne’s Gaelic College and the Celtic Music Interpretive Centre that featured youth participants and some of the mentors.

Summer Spórs Program

This is a 6-week program for children and youth where children meet twice a week for Gaelic song and dance instruction. Each week culminates with a youth square dance for workshop participants and visitors including instruction in the Inverness County Square Set.

Celtic Colours International Festival Concert

In 2008 and again in 2009 Féis Mhàbu hosted the “Mentors and Musical Minds” Celtic Colours Concert at Strathspey Place in Mabou.  In 2008, Féis Mhàbu’s young Gaelic singers and participants from the Musical Mentorship Program shared the stage with J.P. Cormier, Hilda Chiasson-Cormier, Carl MacKenzie, Theresa MacLellan and Mary Jane Lamond.  The concert also featured the Flying Fiddles from Scotland. In 2009 the young musicians and singers shared the stage with influential mentors such as Joanne MacIntyre, Màiri Rankin, Shelly Campbell and others.

Youth Gaelic Immersion

In 2009 Féis Mhàbu offered a GAB immersion program for youth. The program ran for twelve weeks, alternating between the school and family homes. The youth had the opportunity to be immersed in the Gaelic language while participating in everyday activities such as outdoor work, food preparation and crafts. A similar program will be held in 2010.

Gàidhlig le Chéile

Féis Mhàbu is currently running a GAB program entitled Gàidhlig le Chéile. This program provides approximately twelve adults with immersion Gaelic language instruction twice weekly using the GAB methodology. In addition to the regular weekly instruction, we will be offering additional immersion events that are aimed at providing participants with additional opportunities to use and hear the language. We are also developing new ways assist students to achieve fluency such as making recordings of the sessions available online. In addition, Féis Mhàbu is planning to improve networking with other groups and the wider community by producing a newsletter about our program to share information and ideas about the development of GAB.

Family Square Dance Lessons with Live Music

Féis Mhàbu presented a series of family square dance lessons with live music in July and August (2009) that featured experienced Cape Breton step dance and square set instructor Kelly Warner-MacLennan.  All ages were invited to come and learn to dance the Inverness County Square Set.    These dance lessons were held at the West Mabou Hall in Inverness County.

Fiddle and Pipes Jam Sessions

New for this year, Feis Mhabu is currently hosting a series of fiddle and pipes jam sessions at the Mabou Gaelic and Historical Society Building on Friday evenings.  These jam sessions are open to musicians of all ages.  Many of the youth that participated in the Musical Mentorship Program are attending.  Tunes are learned and exchanged.  Tea is served at each session.

Féis na Nollaig: Family Christmas Ceilidh

Also new for this year, Feis Mhabu presented "Féis na Nollaig: Family Christmas Ceilidh". 

This event was held at the West Mabou Hall on December 19th and featured youth Gaelic instruction, Gaelic singing, family square sets with live music, refreshments and a visit from Santa.

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New Program!!

Feis Mhabu Youth Immersion Gaelic Week

Feis Mhabu will be offering a five day Gaelic Youth Immersion Week from August 16th to 20th,  2010. Based at the West Mabou hall, youth will participate in both indoor and outdoor activities throughout their communities. The week will include Gaelic language instruction and usage, stories, songs, activities and demonstrations, linking youth with elders and tradition bearers in their communities.  Participants will also have an opportunity to take part in two day- trips.  On Tuesday, August 17th, Highland Village will provide a hands-on learning day- program where youth will learn about the history of early settlers, cultural practices of the Gaels, hear songs and stories and participate in activities of daily living. Wednesday, August 18th , Feis An Eilean is hosting a Youth Activity Day in Christmas Island. Participants will provided with a rich and diverse cultural learning experience, linking and encouraging connections to Gaelic speaking youth and adults in other communities as well.

Three days will be spent in and around the community of Mabou. With the help of guest tradition bearers and volunteers, instructor Bernard Cameron will use Gaelic language to present topics, stories, activities and hands-on demonstrations.

To request that registration forms and a more detailed summary of this program be sent to you by e-mail, please click the link below: