Celtic Colours International Festival recognized by business community

[Judith Rosen]

> “Getting an award like this from the Chamber of Commerce is nice 
> because it
> reinforces the role Celtic Colours plays in the economy of Cape Breton
> Island,” says Mombourquette. “It proves that tourism, based on the 
> island’s
> unique culture, is still a driving force despite the economic 
> down-turn. It
> attracts visitors to Cape Breton and makes a positive economic impact 
> on the
> island’s communities. And it shows that the investment of sponsors and
> government partners pays off in a big way.”
>
> Although the final numbers are still being crunched, the Festival 
> typically
> generates an annual impact of around $5 million on the economy of Cape
> Breton Island

That's awesome! I can remember, when the festival was still just a 
baby-- maybe two or three years along-- we had a big "discussion" on 
this list about whether the festival was just a colossal drain on 
taxpayers in Nova Scotia or whether it had the potential to not only 
pay the bills but fix up the house too (and maybe cover a wee vacation 
with the leftover change...). I have always been of the opinion that 
the music had the power to draw people in, consistently. Over a decade 
has gone by and it looks like this has come to pass. What the article 
doesn't talk about is whether there is still government funding for the 
festival on any level or has it become completely self-supporting. Does 
anyone know the answer to that question?

The other thing that might be worth pointing out is that this article 
doesn't look at the impact across the province; only in CB. I suspect 
that there is a ripple effect, with the biggest ripple in Halifax. 
Anyone know statistics on this (or can you give me a link to research 
it myself)?

Judith
PS: Hey, Joella-- if you're listening: Can you arrange a really big 
piper's concert for next year's festival, please??? I'm a-comin' up for 
that one, come hell or high water. (Actually, the trip is going to be 
in honor of my 50th birthday, so hell and high water are probably in 
the forecast at least for me, eh?!)

On Nov 6, 2009, at 7:58 AM, Celtic Colours International Festival wrote:

> *FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – NOVEMBER 6, 2009*
>
> *Celtic Colours International Festival recognized by business 
> community*
>
> (Sydney, NS) Celtic Colours International Festival wrapped up its 
> thirteenth
> year with recognition from the local business community. A week after 
> the
> Cape Breton Island-wide festival’s closing show on October 17, Business
> Manager Mary Pat Mombourquette and Jacke Scott, Chair of the Celtic 
> Colours
> Festival Society, accepted the Sydney and area Chamber of Commerce 
> Business
> Excellence Award in the Tourism category during an awards ceremony at 
> the
> Membertou Trade and Convention Centre.
>
> “Getting an award like this from the Chamber of Commerce is nice 
> because it
> reinforces the role Celtic Colours plays in the economy of Cape Breton
> Island,” says Mombourquette. “It proves that tourism, based on the 
> island’s
> unique culture, is still a driving force despite the economic 
> down-turn. It
> attracts visitors to Cape Breton and makes a positive economic impact 
> on the
> island’s communities. And it shows that the investment of sponsors and
> government partners pays off in a big way.”
>
> Although the final numbers are still being crunched, the Festival 
> typically
> generates an annual impact of around $5 million on the economy of Cape
> Breton Island with about half of the audience coming from off-island. 
> With
> the numbers that have been calculated so far, it looks like the 
> festival is
> on track to maintain that level.
>
> Despite having three fewer shows in 2009 than 2008, the total number of
> tickets sold for the nine-day event is up from last year. Twenty-five 
> of the
> 44 shows sold out and 85.6% of all tickets available were sold (up 
> from 82%
> in 2008).
>
> The Irish theme of the Festival this year marked a departure from other
> years when artists came from a more diverse variety of backgrounds. 
> This
> allowed for a chance to fully engage in one specific aspect of 
> influence on
> Cape Breton’s traditional culture and music, and also to re-connect 
> with
> ties between local and visiting artists established over 15 years ago.
> Two-dozen Irish artists were featured at Celtic Colours, and although 
> few of
> their names were recognizable to many, they represented the top 
> players in
> the tradition. This attention to detail, according to Artistic Director
> Joella Foulds, is what continues to draw crowds to the Celtic Colours
> International Festival.
>
> “Excellence has always been the most important criteria in programming
> Celtic Colours,” says Foulds. “This year we worked closely with Irish
> fiddler Liz Doherty and local Artist in Residence Paul Cranford to 
> explore
> the ties between the Irish influence and local tradition. And audiences
> responded. The priority we have put on excellence over the years has 
> helped
> establish the Festival’s reputation for presenting top-notch 
> entertainment,
> and Festival patrons have come to trust the Festival’s choices, 
> whether they
> recognize the names of the performers or not.”
>
> Now Festival organizers turn their attention to next year’s event, 
> scheduled
> for October 8-16, 2010. For those who missed Celtic Colours this year, 
> a
> number of video clip highlights and media coverage is available at
> www.celtic-colours.com.
>
> - 30 -
>
> FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
> Joella Foulds or Mary Pat Mombourquette
> 902-562-6700
>
> -- 
> -------------------------------------------------------
> Dave Mahalik - Information Officer
> Celtic Colours International Festival
> 850 Grand Lake Road, Suite 8
> Sydney, NS
> B1P 5T9
> 902 562 6700
> www.celtic-colours.com
> -------------------------------------------------------
> _______________________________________________
> http://www.cbmusic.com