Nestled along the southeastern shore of the Bras d’Or Lake lies Big Pond, a community with a rich legacy of traditional tunes, celebrated songwriters, and lively dances. This afternoon’s concert reflects the place of importance music holds in this area, where the local Volunteer Fire Hall doubles as a Community Centre and was built with particular attention paid to the acoustics. Because that’s where they have the dances. Settle in for an afternoon of lively tunes with some of Cape Breton’s finest and one of Canada’s most accomplished songwriters. Prince Edward Island songwriter Lennie Gallant is at home with the best songwriters in the world and his songs resonate far and wide. Backed by fiddle, mandolin, keyboards, and percussion, Lennie and his guitar will take you on a journey from his Acadian-rooted, Prince Edward Island perspective, weaving stories in English and French of struggle, and survival, love and triumph in Atlantic Canada. Colin Grant—of Newfoundland’s award-winning group Rum Ragged, Hilda Chiasson—one our most sought after piano accompanists, and Brian Doyle—from the well-known musical family of Chisholm’s from Margaree, will kick the afternoon off in fine Cape Breton style with some tunes on fiddle, piano, and guitar. On her 1988 hit album, Reason to Believe, Rita MacNeil sang “and still the music’s going round again”. It sure is here today in her home village of Big Pond.