By Laura Jean Grant -The Cape Breton Post

	Jerry Holland performs on the opening night of the Celtic Colours International Festival earlier this month at the Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre. Holland will also be involved in the opening night concert of the Celtic Connections festival in Glasgow, Scotland taking place in January. Photo by Laura Jean Grant - Cape Breton Post

SYDNEY — A group of Cape Breton artists will highlight the opening night show of the Celtic Connections international festival in Scotland early next year.

The Barra MacNeils, J.P. Cormier, Ashley MacIsaac, Mary Jane Lamond and Jerry Holland will share the stage at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Jan. 15, to kick off the 16th annual event with a show entitled The Cape Breton Connection.

“There was talk of me going over many times before and I don’t know whatever happened but I’m going this time and I’m really looking forward to it,” said Holland, a renowned fiddler, who will be taking part in the Scottish festival for the first time.

Celtic Connections — which features approximately 1,500 artists performing in 300 events over 18 days — announced its lineup of artists and shows Tuesday, describing the opening show as a natural choice during Scotland’s Year of Homecoming.

By Laura Jean Grant -The Cape Breton Post

	Rita MacNeil thanks the crowd and all the performers who took part in the Home She’ll Be: A Tribute to Rita MacNeil show, Saturday at the Sydney Marine Terminal as part of the Celtic Colours International Festival. Laura Jean Grant – Cape Breton Post

SYDNEY — A talented and diverse group of musicians came together on the final night of the Celtic Colours International Festival to pay tribute to a woman who transcends musical boundaries.

Home She’ll Be: A Tribute to Rita MacNeil took place Saturday night at the Sydney Marine Terminal with an eclectic and star-studded mix of performers taking the stage, from composer and musician Scott Macmillan to blues rocker Matt Minglewood.

“When they contacted me about doing this I said ‘I’m not exactly Celtic,’” said Minglewood with a laugh when he came on stage. “But when they said it was about Rita I said ‘I’m in.’”

And that was common theme throughout the evening as performers including MacNeil’s nephew, Ryan J. MacNeil, fellow Big Pond native Gordie Sampson, Raylene Rankin, The Men of the Deeps and J.P Cormier took their turn on stage, sharing their personal memories of the beloved Cape Breton singer and the impact she’s had on their lives and careers. Each performed a mix of their own material and “favourite Rita songs.”

Cormier, who went on tour with MacNeil in 2002, said he was “inspired by the genius of Rita’” and that she taught him to put everything he has into each song and each performance.

“I learned from Rita that nothing matters but the song,” he said.

Throughout the evening, and much to the delight of the sold-out crowd, MacNeil took the stage several times performing with her band some of her biggest hits from a career that has spanned more than 30 years and produced 22 albums.