October 9–17, 2026
| date | Wednesday, Oct 14th 2026 @ 7:30 pm ADT |
| venue | Strathspey Performing Arts Centre |
| locale | Mabou |
| price | $45 |
| washroom | Yes |
| seating | Reserved Seating |
Inspired by Rose Morrison’s residency on Sable Island, as its first ever Artist in Residence in 2025, Holding Sand is a multidisciplinary performance work combining original and newly composed music, step dance and contemporary movement, spoken storytelling, and integrated field recordings and visual elements. With artistic direction by Rose (Musical Director) and Jenny MacKenzie (Choreographer), the concert brings together artists and knowledge holders from Atlantic Canada, Ireland, and Scotland to explore relationships to land, cultural memory, and environmental responsibility. Musical collaborators include Mi’kmaw song carrier and traditional singer Graham Marshall; songwriter, guitarist, and recording engineer Dave Gunning; singer, accordionist, and storyteller Breanndán Ó Beaglaoich; Gaelic singer Kathleen MacInnes; Ryan MacNeil on piano, uilleann pipes, and vocals; and Gaelic culture bearer Kenneth MacKenzie on pipes and fiddle. Movement and interdisciplinary direction are led by Jenny MacKenzie with Sarah Prosper contributing a contemporary L’nu perspective grounded in land-based and relational movement practices, while Margie Beaton and Dawn Beaton bring expertise in traditional Cape Breton step dance. Together, they shape the movement language of the work and its integration with music and storytelling.
Embodying the roar of the sea with a pure and delicate voice, Rose Morrison is a versatile musician from Baddeck, Victoria County. She has toured and recorded with Oscar and Grammy Award winner Glen Hansard, Irish folk legend Breanndán Ó Beaglaoich, and celebrated Scottish-Canadian ...
Jenny MacKenzie is an international touring dance artist, choreographer, and director based in Cape Breton. Her work is deeply rooted in Gaelic traditions. She is co-producer of East Coast Celtic and A Timeless Art, and the producer, writer, and director of the multi award-winning ...
With over two decades on the road, Nova Scotia's Dave Gunning has earned a reputation as one of Canada's most engaging and respected folk singer-songwriters. A multiple East Coast Music Award and Canadian Folk Music Award winner, he's known for his warm stage presence, ...
Breanndán Ó Beaglaoich was born into a famous musical family and soaked up the music and song of West Kerry from an early age. Breanndán is a major figure in Irish traditional music and clearly states that “his music could not exist were it ...
Graham Marshall comes from Unamaki’k (Cape Breton Island). A founding member of the Sons of Membertou, he has been a pivotal force in the musical and cultural scene and an ambassador for his tribe, the Mi’kmaq, for several years, performing and showcasing his culture ...
Kathleen MacInnes is a Scottish singer and actress who performs primarily in Scottish Gaelic. Hailing from South Uist in the Western Isles, she grew up immersed in Gaelic song, language, and culture. Twice winner of major honours at the Scots Trad Music Awards — ...
Ryan MacNeil grew up in a musical environment in Sydney Mines. After spending a number of years recording and touring with Slàinte Mhath—a popular Cape Breton-based Celtic fusion band—Ryan and his brother Boyd joined their siblings in The Barra MacNeils. Although best-known for his ...
Kenneth MacKenzie is a piper and fiddler, raised in a Gaelic-speaking and musical family in Mabou, Cape Breton. Kenneth’s music makes him an in-demand performer at dances, concerts, and festivals at home and further afield. He is an accomplished recording artist and, along with ...
Sarah Prosper is a Mi’kmaq multi-disciplinary artist, dancer, choreographer, BSc Recreation Therapy, storyteller, activist, and adventurer. As a young artist in the community, Sarah links many individuals and groups to deeper connections within movement and healing. Born and raised in Eskasoni First Nation, Sarah is ...
Dawn and Margie Beaton from Mabou, were dancing at age four and started playing the fiddle a year later. Over the years they have performed at concerts, ceilidhs and festivals all around Cape Breton Island, mainland Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Scotland, Ireland, France, ...