Féis programs set to begin

It’s all things Gaelic this summer at the Christmas Island Fire Hall as part of Comuun Féis an Eilein’s summer music program.

Beginning Monday, July 6, private youth and adult lessons will be offered in beginner and inter- mediate fiddle, piano, guitar and stepdancing with Féis instructors Lauren MacDonald, Lindsey MacNeil and Maggie MacNeil. Lessons take place on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Pre-registration is required. Please email feisaneilein@ns.sympatico.ca for all lesson inquiries.

The Gaelic playgroup for preschoolers and children begins July 9 and runs every Thursday from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. until Aug. 13 . Beginning Gaelic language classes with instructor Beth MacNeil commence on Wednesday, July 8 from 7 to 9 p.m. and continue every Wednesday until Aug. 12.

Fridays from 10 a.m. to noon, July 10 to Aug. 14 (with the exception of July 31), native Gaelic speakers and learners are invited to visit, converse and share songs and stories in Gaelic.

Féis an Eilein is a communitybased society designed to promote the Gaelic language and culture of the area through educational and social activities for people of all ages.

The 25th annual Féis An Eilein festival takes place Aug. 18 to 22 in Christmas Island, home to the first feis held outside of Scotland.

The festival features Gaelic language workshops, square dance workshops, storytelling and a study of Gaelic songs, to name a few.