Doug Lamey, Charlie MacLeod,
Joe Cormier and Friends
at the Canadian-American Club
(East Watertown)

Event Summary

Date: 2009 April 11 (Saturday)
Time: 20h-0h
Venue: Canadian-American Club, 202 Arlington Street, East Watertown, Massachusetts 02472-2004
Description: Canadian-American Club Dance with Doug Lamey, Charlie MacLeod, Joe Cormier, and Guests
Admission: $12 at the door

Review for the Cape Breton Music List
(Posted 2009 April 16)

This past Saturday, a Cape Breton dance featuring Doug Lamey, Charlie MacLeod, Joe Cormier, and friends was held at the Canadian-American Club in East Watertown (Massachusetts). This dance was the fourth of a series of Cape Breton dances held there in 2009 on the second Saturday of each month through June; after the summer break, they are scheduled to resume in the fall. An extra Cape Breton dance outside this schedule will also occur there on Friday (not Saturday), 24 April, featuring Kimberley Fraser and Troy MacGillivray.

It was also the occasion for a surprise birthday party honouring the club’s current vice-president, Peggy Morrison, a stalwart of the club and of Cape Breton music in the Boston area. Unbeknownst to her, her family from Texas, whom she did not expect until the following week-end, had made its way into the club before she arrived there, so when she came through the door, she was visibly shocked and most pleasantly surprised! The turnout for this dance was larger than that at the January and February dances earlier this year, no doubt in tribute to Peggy’s many contributions to the scene over the years.

The music began shortly after 20h with Doug on fiddle and Charlie on piano. They gave us several sets of tunes and Cliff McGann joined them on guitar about a half hour into the music. The Rosebud of Allenvale, played as a waltz, encouraged several couples to take the floor in a round dance. Ethan Andrews, a young lad from Chelmsford (Massachusetts) taking dance lessons from Christine Morrison, Peggy’s daughter, took advantage of a fine set to give us a vigorous step dance in which he was subsequently joined by another of Christine’s students, Ondine Bonner from Providence (Rhode Island).^[1] Just after that set finished, Peggy arrived, greeted by the strains of “Happy Birthday” ringing throughout the hall as she came in.

A few minutes later, the call went out for the first Boston square set of the evening, prompted by Henry Boudreau. After a couple more sets of tunes, Doug, Charlie, and Cliff left the stage and Joe Cormier and Lloyd Carr took their places. After giving the round dancers a couple of waltz sets, Joe then played for the second Boston square set of the evening.

While the dancers were recovering their breath, Peggy took to the stage and introduced all of her family present in the hall to the attendees. Everyone was then invited to share in the birthday cake and other goodies present in the kitchen.

Barbara McOwen and Janine Randall then replaced Joe and Lloyd on stage; Barbara played a hornpipe to which her husband, Robert, danced. Barbara then retired and Doug and Emerald Rae took the stage on dual fiddles, with Janine continuing on piano. A Mabou square set ensued; Mabou sets are usually danced at the Canadian-American Club without prompting, but, given the number of folks present not familiar with the figures, Christine Morrison prompted. Then, Doug and Emerald played step-dance music and this evening there were several who took to the floor. Doug left the stage, leaving Emerald and Janine to continue; Emerald gave us a beautiful Crossing to Ireland along with several other fine tunes. In a few minutes, Doug rejoined them and they played another Mabou square set, again prompted by Christine, Doug alone for the first figure, Emerald alone for the second, and both together for the third figure. That figure began with the Wedding Reel, dedicated from the stage to the Morrisons, and also included Big John MacNeil, written to honour a celebrated Highland dancer of the mid-1800’s. Doug and Emerald were both all fired up at the end of the Mabou set and continued playing for several minutes after the dancers had regained their seats.

After the raffle for the building fund, Joe returned to the stage, this time with Peggy on piano and Cliff on guitar, and played a couple of Cape Breton sets. Another Boston square set, again prompted by Henry Boudreau, followed. With a final waltz, the evening of music came to an end.

It is always a treat to hear Joe play live, something that I do not get to do often enough. It was also the first time I had heard Charlie MacLeod on the piano and very much liked his accompaniments. Doug continues to impress me with his extensive and growing repertoire and superb playing. Emerald was also excellent—she’s a fine traditional player when she chooses to be. Janine, Peggy, and Lloyd also gave us very nice piano accompaniments throughout the evening. In short, it was another magnificent evening of music at the Canadian-American Club! Peggy was radiant at the end; I’m sure it’s an evening she won’t soon forget!

As previously mentioned, the next dance will be Friday, 24 April, with Kimberley Fraser and Troy MacGillivray. The regular May dance will feature Kimberley Fraser, Doug Lamey, and Hanneke Cassell on Saturday, 9 May. If you are in the area, I hope to see you there.

^[1] I am indebted to Marcia Palmeter for identifying these dancers and several others whose names appear in the photo section. She was, as always, very helpful in also identifying the tune names given in this account.↩