CELTIC CANADA

Canadian Dancer Creates Irish Cultural Summer School in Newfoundland

Shawn Silver of Newfoundland, Canada, is a man with a mission, and that’s good for Irish step-dance dancing and culture in this part of the world. 

The champion step-dancer came to Boston in 2007 on a trade mission with tourism officials to strengthen economic and cultural ties between New England and the Maritimes.

He met with cultural leaders at Boston College, Irish Cultural Centre and Boston Irish Tourism Association, and impressed everyone with his vision to create an interpretive center in Newfoundland dedicated to Irish language, dance and culture.  

Three years later, thanks to support from Atlantic Canadian Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and lots of sweat equity, Silver is unveiling his Irish Cultural Summer School in Newfoundland this summer.

Celtic Roots Canada (Talamh an Éisc Canada) opens in June and runs through August 7, 2010.  The school is open to people of all ages and abilities through a combination of classes, private lessons and workshops, and offers Irish language, dance, music, and music technology. 

Silver has teamed up with Irish language scholar Brid Falconer, touring musician Geoff Meadus, and a host of musicians and dancers from Ireland and Canada.  Greg Eustice, a musician and composer with a master’s degree in music technology from McGill University, is teaching sound engineering and music production. 

Silver says his school is inspired by the Gaelic Roots Summer School at Boston College (1993 – 2003), which attracted students and instructors from around the world.  Gaelic Roots was founded by fiddler Seamus Connolly – whom Silver met in 2007 during his Boston visit - and Connolly’s wife Sandy Walter. 

“Shawn deserves all the support he can get,” Connolly says from his office at Boston College.  “There is a huge audience for Celtic Roots, and Shawn is a young man who can make this happen.”

“We’ll be the only centre in Atlantic Canada dedicated exclusively to Irish language, dance and culture,” Silver says, noting that Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island each have programs dedicated to Scottish culture.

The program welcomes students and tourists alike to take part in Celtic Roots.  Silver’s goal is to develop a Celtic Corridor between New England and Canada’s Maritimes, creating an exchange of culture, heritage and musical traditions year round.

Celtic Roots
181 Hamilton Avenue
St. John’s, Newfoundland
709 690-2101
celticroots.ca

For advice on travel and accommodation:

Hooked On Travel - TPI
St. John's, NL Canada
Phone:  709-691-8944
HookedonTravel.ca