Canadian-American Club Dance this past Saturday

[Victor Maurice Faubert]

[A typographically richer and therefore more readable version of this
posting is available at
      <http://homepage.mac.com/vicmf/ne/2009/11_apr/11_apr.html>
along with photos taken at the concert.]



This past Saturday, a Cape Breton dance featuring Doug Lamey [1],
Charlie MacLeod, Joe Cormier, and friends was held at the
Canadian-American Club [2] in East Watertown (Massachusetts). This dance
was the fourth of a series of Cape Breton dances held there in 2009 on
the second Saturday of each month through June; after the summer break,
they are scheduled to resume in the fall. An extra Cape Breton dance
outside this schedule will also occur there on Friday (not Saturday), 24
April, featuring Kimberley Fraser and Troy MacGillivray.

It was also the occasion for a surprise birthday party honouring the
club's current vice-president, Peggy Morrison, a stalwart of the club
and of Cape Breton music in the Boston area. Unbeknownst to her, her
family from Texas, whom she did not expect until the following week-end,
had made its way into the club before she arrived there, so when she
came through the door, she was visibly shocked and most pleasantly
surprised! The turnout for this dance was larger than that at the
January and February dances earlier this year, no doubt in tribute to
Peggy's many contributions to the scene over the years.

The music began shortly after 20h with Doug on fiddle and Charlie on
piano. They gave us several sets of tunes and Cliff McGann joined them
on guitar about a half hour into the music. "The Rosebud of Allenvale",
played as a waltz, encouraged several couples to take the floor in a
round dance. Ethan Andrews, a young lad from Chelmsford (Massachusetts)
taking dance lessons from Christine Morrison, Peggy's daughter, took
advantage of a fine set to give us a vigorous step dance in which he was
subsequently joined by another of Christine's students, Ondine Bonner
from Providence (Rhode Island). [3] Just after that set finished, Peggy
arrived, greeted by the strains of "Happy Birthday" ringing throughout
the hall as she came in.

A few minutes later, the call went out for the first Boston square set
of the evening, prompted by Henry Boudreau. After a couple more sets of
tunes, Doug, Charlie, and Cliff left the stage and Joe Cormier and Lloyd
Carr took their places. After giving the round dancers a couple of waltz
sets, Joe then played for the second Boston square set of the evening.

While the dancers were recovering their breath, Peggy took to the stage
and introduced all of her family present in the hall to the attendees.
Everyone was then invited to share in the birthday cake and other
goodies present in the kitchen.

Barbara McOwen [4] and Janine Randall then replaced Joe and Lloyd on
stage; Barbara played a hornpipe to which her husband, Robert, danced.
Barbara then retired and Doug and Emerald Rae [5] took the stage on dual
fiddles, with Janine continuing on piano. A Mabou square set ensued;
Mabou sets are usually danced at the Canadian-American Club without
prompting, but, given the number of folks present not familiar with the
figures, Christine Morrison prompted. Then, Doug and Emerald played
step-dance music and this evening there were several who took to the
floor. Doug left the stage, leaving Emerald and Janine to continue;
Emerald gave us a beautiful "Crossing to Ireland" along with several
other fine tunes. In a few minutes, Doug rejoined them and they played
another Mabou square set, again prompted by Christine, Doug alone for
the first figure, Emerald alone for the second, and both together for
the third figure. That figure began with the "Wedding Reel", dedicated
from the stage to the Morrisons, and also included "Big John MacNeil",
written to honour a celebrated Highland dancer of the mid-1800's. Doug
and Emerald were both all fired up at the end of the Mabou set and
continued playing for several minutes after the dancers had regained
their seats.

After the raffle for the building fund, Joe returned to the stage, this
time with Peggy on piano and Cliff on guitar, and played a couple of
Cape Breton sets. Another Boston square set, again prompted by Henry
Boudreau, followed. With a final waltz, the evening of music came to an
end.

It is always a treat to hear Joe play live, something that I do not get
to do often enough. It was also the first time I had heard Charlie
MacLeod on the piano and very much liked his accompaniments. Doug
continues to impress me with his extensive and growing repertoire and
superb playing. Emerald was also excellent--she's a fine traditional
player when she chooses to be. Janine, Peggy, and Lloyd also gave us
very nice piano accompaniments throughout the evening. In short, it was
another magnificent evening of music at the Canadian-American Club!
Peggy was radiant at the end; I'm sure it's an evening she won't soon
forget!

As previously mentioned, the next dance will be Friday, 24 April, with
Kimberley Fraser and Troy MacGillivray. The regular May dance will
feature Kimberley Fraser, Doug Lamey, and Hanneke Cassell on Saturday, 9
May. If you are in the area, I hope to see you there.



[1]	<http://www.douglamey.com/>
[2]	<http://www.canamclubofboston.com/>
[3]   	I am indebted to Marcia Palmeter for identifying these dancers
	and several others whose names appear in the photo section. She
	was, as always, very helpful in also identifying the tune names
	given in this account.
[4]	<http://www.mcowen.net/>
[5]	<http://www.myspace.com/emeraldrae>