Prince Edward Island is known for its hospitality, food, music and storytelling.
In the early part of this century, a kitchen party would involve a fiddler and sometimes a singer, along with a cup of tea or something stronger.
Then, as the night progressed the stories would begin with the better tellers captivating the partiers with tales and legends some true, some not.
That tradition will be coming back to life at this evening's edition Ceilidh In the City as organizers combine two of the key ingredients by welcoming singer Colleen MacPhee and storyteller Alan Buchanan.
MacPhee has been performing on the Island for many years. She has recently gained in popularity as she has toured the Island portraying Cape Breton songstress Rita MacNeil in the Lady Singers of our Century Show. MacPhee has a powerful voice and a vast repertoire, but when she kicks off her shoes and dons her Rita hat and gown, people say that, with their eyes closed, it feels like MacNeil is in the room.
Yarns and tales will be spun by Island storyteller Buchanan. As a former professor, politician and life-long connoisseur of rural Island life, he has collected the stories of the characters who resided in the rural parts of the Island.
Buchanan and MacPhee will be joining the hosts of the Ceilidh in the City, including Kendall Docherty, Peter Burke, Brian Blacquiere, Heartz Godkin and Brian Knox, for a night filled with tales and tunes at the Jack Blanchard Centre, 7 Pond St., Charlottetown. Admission is at the door, which opens at 6:30 p.m. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. There will be a canteen and bar service and a 50/50 draw in support of the Ceilidh Gives Back Fund which supports various Island charities and families in need.
For additional information or group reservations call Docherty, 902-569-1133, or Knox, 902-569-3327, or follow along at Facebook.com/CeilidhInTheCity.
