CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — The ceilidhs continue Tuesday in the Katherine Hughes Memorial Hall in the Irish Cultural Centre at 582 North River Rd., Charlottetown, featuring local trio Black is the Colour with special guests Hailee MacDonald and Mary Ellen Hurley.
Black is the Colour is Prince Edward Island’s newest traditional vocal group. Rob Drew, Ward MacDonald and Keith Mullen formed the trio, in part, to provide a style of entertainment the group saw as missing in the traditional music scene on the Island, performing traditional songs and airs ordinarily overlooked by traditional music pub entertainers, as well as a growing body of original material.
Mullen, vocalist and the songwriter of the group, is a born Islander and has been part of the traditional music community as an instrumentalist for about 10 years. He recently embraced songwriting and is using his vast knowledge of popular and little-known local folklore to write songs that have a broad appeal, yet are uniquely P.E.I.
Drew has been performing as solo guitarist or in collaboration with P.E.I.'s finest classical and folk musicians for the past 25 years. Drawing on his love for the traditional music of Ireland, Spain and Latin America as well as the Early European Renaissance and Baroque music, he has brought his unique musical style to solo guitar performance, classical and folk ensembles and classical chamber orchestra.
Ward MacDonald has been immersed in P.E.I.’s traditional music scene for more than 25 years. As a fiddler, piano accompanist, teacher and dance caller he has toured across North America and as far as Cuba and Australia. On P.E.I., he produces a monthly square dance series and typically performs about 200 gigs a year. He also recently released an album entitled, Ask Her To Dance, which features several of his own compositions.
Hurley is originally from Rhode Island but grew up coming to P.E.I. often and now calls Charlottetown home. She has studied music and performance in Rhode Island, New York, and Toronto and has a love for the traditional Irish and Scottish culture here on the Island. She is happy to be a part of the traditional music scene as she continues to broaden her song repertoire and style of step-dancing.
Hailee MacDonald, a fiddler from Margaree, N.S., is now living and working alongside her husband, Ward, in Prince Edward Island. For the last decade, her lively style has been energizing audiences at concert halls, dance halls and major festivals. Recently, she recorded her debut album, It’s Happenin’.
There will be a 50/50 draw during the evening at the wheelchair-accessible and air-conditioned hall while tea and cookies will be served during the intermission. Doors open at 7 p.m., show starts at 8 p.m. Admission at the door. Everyone is welcome, but COVID-19 gathering restrictions mean only 50 people can be in the hall. For more information or to reserve tickets, text or call 902-213-3924.
