Sackville’s musical heritage will take to the Live Bait Theatre stage on Sunday, Sept. 23, at 3 p.m., as the Sackville Early Music Festival (SEMF) presents its tribute to the Town’s 250th Anniversary, a concert entitled Songs We Sang in 1762: The Music of Early Sackville.
“People often think of music from that period only in terms of high-brow, classical works,” says SEMF chair Wendy Burnett. “In fact, music was as much a part of everyday life then as it is now. This concert celebrates the songs that the founding people of our area enjoyed at work, at home, at church, on the parade ground, and in the tavern.”
The program opens with a Mi’kmaq chant by Matthew Sanipass. It then moves on, as singers, fiddlers, and even a fife and drum corps variously explore the popular music of old Acadia, of the British garrison at Fort Cumberland, and of the Planters, recently arrived from New England. Tickets are available at the door on the day of the performance.
A second opportunity to enjoy traditional Acadian tunes is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 27. Ritournelle, a duo consisting of instrumentalist Philippe Gélinas and singer Lise Roy will perform songs that were integral to life in New France – at daily work and festive seasons alike. Ritournelle will also be conducting workshops for French Immersion classes in Sackville and Dieppe. Their public concert will take place at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 36 Bridge Street, Sackville, at 8 p.m. Admission is free for this concert.
