October 9–17, 2026
| date | Wednesday, Oct 14th 2026 @ 7:30 pm ADT |
| venue | Inverary Resort - MacAulay Conference Centre |
| locale | Baddeck |
| price | $50 |
| washroom | Yes |
| seating | General Admission |
While Juice Newton’s 1981 country-pop hit warns against the pursuit of an ill-fated romance, tonight’s concert reframes the catchy, earworm chorus in a more positive light. It could certainly be argued that playing traditional music is, in itself, an affair of the heart, and this concert showcases artists who have dedicated their lives to this tradition. Internationally acclaimed fiddler and composer Liz Carroll is one of Irish music’s brightest stars. The Chicago native’s talent and dedication to her craft have earned her a National Heritage Fellowship, a Grammy nomination, and the Gradam Ceoil TG4 Composer of the Year award, honouring her contributions to the repertoire of Irish music. Paired with multi-instrumentalist Jake Charron, best known in these parts for playing with JUNO award-winning Prince Edward Island band The East Pointers, the duo is looking forward to sharing new music, along with tunes from their Grammy nominated album, Half Day Road. Three longstanding members of the Cape Breton Fiddlers’ Association, with deep family roots in the island’s fiddle and dance tradition, will showcase the classic Cape Breton combo of fiddle and piano, featuring Leanne Aucoin and Stephanie MacDonald on fiddle with Susan MacLean on piano. Complementing the tunes is a selection of songs from Laura Cortese & The Dance Cards, a collective of acoustic roots musicians at the zenith of their careers. Making their first appearance at Celtic Colours here tonight, these women will entrance you with music as rich and intricate as any symphony and as heartfelt as any country classic. Your heart will be full here in Baddeck on this Wednesday night with American-Irish music royalty, traditional Cape Breton fiddle and dance music, and contemporary indie-folk songs in the Americana string band tradition.
19+ (photo ID required)
A native of Chicago’s South Side, internationally acclaimed fiddler and composer Liz Carroll is one of Irish music’s brightest stars. Her talent and dedication to her craft have earned her a National Heritage Fellowship, a Grammy nomination, and the Gradam Ceoil TG4 Composer of ...
Leanne Aucoin is a multi-talented musician from Sydney Mines, Cape Breton County who comes from a family steeped in Cape Breton music and tradition. She has performed in many parts of Canada, the U.S., and Ireland. Having a passion for teaching, Leanne has been ...
Raised in Whycocomagh, Inverness County, Stephanie MacDonald has been playing the fiddle and step dancing since the age of five. She attended classes at Colaisde na Gàidhlig [the Gaelic College] and learned from many accomplished Cape Breton fiddlers. Her musical roots are strengthened by ...
Susan MacLean, a native of Washabuck now based in the Sydney area of Cape Breton, is a pianist, fiddler, composer, and dedicated educator rooted in the island’s rich musical tradition. She has taught Cape Breton–style piano accompaniment since the mid-1990s at Colaisde na Gàidhlig ...
Laura Cortese & the Dance Cards is nothing if not a culmination: the gathering of a select group of acoustic roots musicians at the zenith of their careers. Together, these women create something wholly new—a fusion of the countless traditions and influences they each ...