Seven Days: Vermont's Independent Voice

A Twist on Tradition

Given its isolated location on the northernmost part of Nova Scotia, Cape Breton Island holds on to its history — most notably the Gaelic language and fiddle music introduced by Highland Scots in the first half of the 19th century. Having grown up in one of the island’s rural communities, fiddler, singer and acclaimed step dancer Natalie MacMaster brings the sounds of her roots to those of bluegrass, pop and jazz. Called “the most dynamic performer in Celtic music today” by the Boston Herald, MacMaster performs tunes from the genre, along with traditional carols, in “Christmas in Cape Breton.”