News Release

For Immediate Release
August 25, 2006

CELTIC MUSIC LIVES ON THROUGH CENTRE

Judique, N.S. – Celtic music is one of the most popular styles of music internationally. To ensure that its ties with Cape Breton won’t be diminished, a new Celtic Music Interpretive Centre has been built in Judique; a place many well known Cape Breton performers call home.

The Celtic Music Interpretive Centre Society (CMICS) of Judique will be officially toured today by the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA).

The total cost of the project is $1,972,370. The Government of Canada has invested $1.5 million; $750,000 through ACOA’s Strategic Community Investment Fund (SCIF), $250,000 through ACOA’s Business Development Program and $500,000 through Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation (ECBC).

Cape Breton has produced many Celtic music performers such as Buddy McMaster, Natalie McMaster, Ashley MacIsaac and The Rankin Family. The new interpretive centre will provide workshops, demonstrations and tours focused on Celtic music to the community and all tourists who visit the area.

“Not only will this project provide tourism revenues for the Island but it will communicate to the world the fascinating cultural background of Cape Breton,” said Minister Peter MacKay. “The Government of Canada is committed to investing in such projects.”

“Our workshops, our demonstrations, our archives, and our exhibition room will help visitors to Cape Breton make the most of their travels through our music and culture," said Kinnon Beaton, well known fiddler and composer, and the Centre's executive director.

The Celtic Music Interpretive Centre Society of Judique was formed to collect, promote and preserve the Celtic music of Cape Breton.

Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation offers programs in support of economic development initiatives and is responsible for delivering ACOA’s programs on Cape Breton Island and in the Mulgrave area.

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For More Information Please Contact:

Kinnon Beaton
Executive Director
Celtic Music Interpretive Centre
Tel: (902) 787-2708;

Jennifer Crocker
ECBC Communications
Tel: 902-564-3917