Ceilidh for Critters: Featuring Mad Violet, Ruby Daley, the Lietash Demo Dogs and more...

We have been blessed with some of the most talented singer/songwriters and dancers in Nova Scotia. Many thanks to these wonderful entertainers!


JD Clarke JD Clarke was born and raised in the small town of West Gore, Nova Scotia and now resides in Elmsdale, Nova Scotia. JD has come a long way since he picked up his fathers guitar for the first time at the age of 4 years old. Throughout his musical career, this singer/songwriter has shared the stage with many artist including:Kim Kockwood, Rawlins Cross, Mackeel, Tery Kelly, and Rylee Madison. Most recently JD has performed with such artists as Alan Frew (Glass Tiger), Jason McCoy, The Road Hammers, Ron Hynes, Matt Minglewood, Sean Hogan, Duane Steele, Jason Blaine, Diane Chase, Jamie Warren, Beverly Mahood and Aaron Pritchett. JD has been very busy as an independent artist, and recently released his first single "All That Matters" to 26 radio stations in Canada. JD has also had radio play in Sweden, Germany and Maui. He was invited to the 2006 4th of July celebrations in Makawao, Maui, HI to perform at the annual Makawao Rodeo. JD attributes his success from the tremendous support he receives from family, friends, and fans.

	Amethyst Scottish Dancers Amethyst Scottish Dancers of Nova Scotia was founded in 1985 as an outlet for dancers to share their joy of the art of highland dancing. Since then, they have entertained Royalty, cruise ship passengers and thousands of others at conventions and other public performances both at home and abroad. All dancers are highly trained and accomplished Highland dancers. The troupe, usually made up of about 25 dancers, is comprised of both senior and junior dancers, from 9 to 25 years of age. A typical Amethyst performance includes both traditional Scottish Highland and National dances and several modern choreographed numbers depicting the people and traditions of Nova Scotia. A step dance number may also be included. Audiences are treated to lively music, exciting dancing and colourful costumes. Our dancers proudly wear outfits of Dress Nova Scotia tartan, often referred to as our trademark.

	Anthony Rissesco is a versatile violin player and teacher, experienced in all styles of laying from classical violin to traditional fiddle. An instructor at the Halifax Folklore Centre, Anthony plays with the prominent local band, Breton, and also appears regularly at O’Carroll’s Restaurant and Pub, The Old Triangle Ale House and The Split Crow Pub. He can be seen on television playing fiddle in a well known brewery commercial. As a music student at Dalhousie University, Anthony studied classical violin under Phillippe Djokic. He has won fiddle competitions throughout Canada. In 1990, he came third in the prestigious Canadian Open in Shelburne Ontario, and he was chosen to represent Nova Scotia at the Grand Masters Competition in Ottawa for six consecutive years. Anthony has played with Symphony Nova.Scotia., Bruce Guthro, Cyril MacPhee, and Peggy Seeger.

Pogey are a multi-talented five piece band who deliver a fresh and vibrant sound of traditional Celtic Music with a hip twist that makes them original.	Featuring members Warren Robert on guitar and mandolin, Jason Wright on drums and ugly stick, Jonny Grant on bass, Janet Munson on fiddle and accordion and lead singer/songwriter Ray Mattie. They are ripping up the East Coast Music scene with their table pounding tunes. On Canada Day 2002 Pogey was formed. As the only act at the STFX University Football Field in Antigonish NS, the hometown band drew in excess of 5000 people for their first ever concert. In less than a year, POGEY was seeing capacity crowds of 1000+ people at the local beer gardens and were featured regularly on regional radio stations and newspapers with interviews and album cuts. Pogey quickly became the hot ticket in their local market. Lots of spirit and enthusiasm make them a very enjoyable group to watch, and will keep your hands clapping and your feet tapping.


	Dave Carmichael has been making distinctive music for the past 12 years releasing 2 critically acclaimed albums, PERSPECTIVE and EMERGENCE, manifesting in several East Coast Music Award and Music Industry Association of Nova Scotia Music Award nominations. SPIRIT DANCE was recently nominated for the 2006 ECMA award for Roots album of the year.

	Steven Bowers Equally exciting as a solo artist or in performance with his band, The Acoustic Theft, Steven Bowers’ talent and diversity is evidenced by the artists with whom he has shared the stage - including The Trews, Ron Hynes, Blackie & The Rodeo Kings, The Arrogant Worms, Spirit Of The West, Dave Gunning, Justin Rutledge and George Canyon, among others. Steven Bowers has been a featured performer at special events including Junofest, Canadian Music Week, Riverfront Jubilee, Stan Rogers Folk Festival, Atlantic Film Festival, Rendezvous Folk!, Asia Relief at Halifax Metro Centre, Songwriter Circle at Moncton’s Capitol Theatre, 2004 MusicNL Conference and the 2005 ECMA Sneak Peek Rising Star stage, among others. Steven Bowers received a MusicNS Best New Artist nomination for his debut CD In Theory and won the MusicNS 2004 Producer Of The Year Award for his sophomore disc Wanderlust. Several of the tracks from Wanderlust landed in the Top 10 on the nationally syndicated East Coast Countdown, with his song “Run Aground” identified as the #9 song of 2004. Steven Bowers was born in Newfoundland, raised in Labrador, and now lives in Halifax, NS where he enjoys an active role in the thriving music scene.

	Fuego Flamenco Karen Abbey: Bailora (dancer) Paul Doleman: Guitarrista (guitarist) Fuego Flamenco has been dazzling Halifax audiences with its passion and energy in live performance. As a strong presence in Halifax, their unique performances are not to be missed. This duo truly reflects the dedication to and love of Flamenco ‘puro’ (pure). Bringing their extensive experience to Halifax from around the globe, their artistry shines, ignited through their own interpretation of flamenco music and improvisation. With dynamic, passionate guitar and heart-pounding rhythm, take a journey deep into the fire and mystery of flamenco autentico! http://www.myspace.com/karenabbey


We were thrilled that Mad Violet joined us for not only our inaugral year, but had so much fun they came back for year two! What happens when you cross the lead singer from a trip-hop/folk fusion band with a traditional Celtic fiddler? You get Mad Violet. The duo is singer-songwriter Brenley MacEachern on guitar and Lisa MacIsaac on fiddle. A chance meeting in Toronto a few years ago has blossomed into a dynamic musical relationship. Brenley provides the melodic guitar rhythms while Lisa contributes dreamy Celtic fiddle. Their voices blend beautifully and draw the listener into their folksy, hypnotic music.

Amy Campbell

"...Though she is a classically-trained pianist, Campbell accompanies herself on acoustic guitar, using a variety of alternate tunings. She's a beautiful singer, with a rich and musical voice, with echoes of artists like Ani DiFranco and Joni Mitchell......"

–Sandy MacDonald: HFX (Daily News Entertainment Supplement)

Amy Campbell: photo by Sabrina Thurlow


	Local singer/songwriter Ruby Daley performed in year one along with Dave Dobson and Dave MacIsaac, and special guest Arielle Legere.

Arielle Legere is a 10 year old singing sensation! She has performed in local dinner theater as part of the Ruby Daley show. This summer she also entertained crowds in Lunenburg singing Sea Shanties during the Tall Ships, and participated in the Esso Natal Day Talent Show. She also appeared as orphan Kate in Neptune's production of Annie.

	Ardyth and Jennifer Ardyth Robinson and Jennifer Wyatt have entertained audiences all around the Maritimes and into the New England States with their distinctive mix of Celtic harp music and original songwriting. Their performances are engaging and unique journeys, which draw their audiences in and leave them breathless.

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