Nothing can stop a good Cape Breton kitchen party: Kitchenfest! returns September 4 -12
Nothing can stop a good Cape Breton kitchen party — not even a pandemic.
Kitchenfest! Féis a’ Chidsin! typically takes place earlier in the summer, but was rescheduled to Sept. 4-12, 2020 to allow for larger gatherings and looser restrictions.
Kitchenfest! coordinator Linda Rankin says there’s been a lot of excitement from artists, venue owners and music fans who can’t wait to hear live entertainment again.
“Everyone loves that Kitchenfest! is very informal and interactive — a genuine taste of a real Cape Breton kitchen party,” says Rankin.
It’s the seventh year for the Cape Breton Island-wide festival, and the plan for this year is to feature around 130 talented artists.
Rankin says some of the festival’s biggest events will take place at Colaisde Na Gàidhlig / The Gaelic College in St. Ann’s. Heather Rankin and her band will kick things off with a Sunday matinee concert on Sept. 6, and Rankin hints some “familiar faces” will be the opening acts.
After the concert, there will be a full turkey dinner served in Mackenzie Hall — with a take-out option for those who’d prefer to picnic outdoors or take their meals home with them. Reservations are encouraged for both the dinner and the concert, as both are expected to sell out.
Each weekday during Kitchenfest!, the Gaelic College will be serving up a hearty breakfast in Mackenzie Hall that includes live entertainment. It will run from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., and it’s just $10 per person.
The Gaelic College hosts rollicking lunchtime ceilidhs every Monday throughout the summer (except holidays), but they’re adding special guests during Kitchenfest. Richard Wood, Rannie Maclellan, Joey & Karen Beaton, Brenda Stubbert, Paul Cranford and Doug Macphee are scheduled to come by and perform. The lunch includes a tasty main course, dessert, coffee and tea and is just $15 per person. Tickets can be purchased in the Gaelic College craft shop, which will be open each day of Kitchenfest.
On Thursday, Sept. 10, the Gaelic College is organizing its traditional cod fish supper that always sells out. Following the supper, the campus will host a Songwriters’ Circle featuring Bruce Guthro, Dave Gunning, Matt Minglewood and Joanne Rankin Macintyre. Tickets must be purchased in advance.
“There will be new venues this year and several existing venues have added more shows,” says Rankin.
The 100+ events will be hosted by more than two dozen venues across Cape Breton Island, with the majority of the venues having either a $10 cover charge or no cover charge at all.
Each venue will follow any and all provincial health protocols that may be in place during the first two weeks of September. So far, the schedule has needed just a few modifications to keep everyone safe — like swapping the usual squares dances for Pub Nights in Brook Village and South West Margaree halls, which will allow everyone to social distance properly.
Rankin says what really sets Kitchenfest! apart from other festivals is that each show will feature a Gaelic-speaking host — introducing each act and regaling guests with the stories and traditions that make the event so special.
“There will be an abundance of local talent, and we’re excited to get started.”