I once asked my Grandmother if she ever imagined that she would be celebrating her 95^th birthday. Without a moment’s hesitation she replied, “Max, before you know it you’ll be 80.”

I was 32 at the time and thought she was trying to be funny. She did have a wicked sense of humor. Well, that was 30 very quick years ago and now I’m just hoping she was right and I get to see 80.

Now that it is almost May, it's time to start thinking about fall. Yes, I mean fall, as in the season that follows summer... what do you mean it's too early? Go away with ya!

Seriously, I love the spring and summer and can't even begin to think past the end of the dog days of summer. Luckily we don't have to... the kind folks at the Celtic Colours International Festival are planning our fall activities for us!

I made my first trip to Scotland in January of 1996. The purpose of the visit was to conduct research at the Celtic Connections Festival in Glasgow. My business partner and I had hatched the idea to create what would become the Celtic Colours International Festival in Cape Breton. We wanted to see a large Celtic festival in action and Celtic Connections, although only in its third year of existence, was already a huge event spanning almost three weeks in length.

Thank you. Thank you very much! My name is Max MacDonald and I was born and raised on Cape Breton Island.  Many don’t realize that in order to qualify for Cape Breton citizenship, you are required to live and work for a while in either Ontario or Alberta. I did my time in Toronto but Lake Ontario was no Atlantic Ocean and no one greets you by name or waves from a passing car on Yonge Street. The other thing I missed terribly was the music…. ah the beautiful, soulful music of Cape Breton.

As a World-renowned fiddler, a Grammy© nominated recording artist,a farmer and a mother of a growing family, Natalie MacMaster is quite the multi-tasker these days. Add to that list author and publisher and you can see how busy and accomplished she really is.

On a warm Saturday evening during a recent trip home, Natalie invited friends, family and fans to the Celtic Music Interpretive Centre in Judique to help her celebrate the launch of her book CAPE BRETON AIRE The Story of a Musical Life and Place.

Cape Breton Island's renowned Celtic Colours International Festival begins today and runs for the next nine days in venues throughout the island. There are still tickets available to some of the performances, but you should act fast to get yours, as most will sell out.

For a taste of what you can expect from the Celtic Colours Festival, here's a link to a sampler video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaYFi5C6rnY

Hope to see you there!