Cape Breton's Magazine

the same time. My head is not busy at, all. It's coming from down here. (Because you are aware you don't sound like any fiddler before you, as far as I know.) Well, see, I had no one to copy. I had to play my own way, and I didn't know any other way. So I had my own style, and as I grew up I heard different players, good players. And I knew right off of the bat, damn well, if I learn that tune, I can do it better. I had that feeling. And that was my goal. Play that tune better than the fellow I heard playing it. Set a goal for that, and work on it. Maybe, one tune--I might work weeks on a Step into a World of Excitement and Diversity Nova Scotia is a land of infinite variety. We have scenery that ranges from mountains, rolling hills, and rocky cliffs to lush farmland and a coastline of coves, bluffs and warm, sandy beaches. There's variety in our communities, too. We have beautiful country market towns, charming shoreline villages and bustling cosmopolitan cities. board the m/v Kipawo and the Mulgrave Road Theatre. Lively pubs and clubs from one end of the Province to the other present home-grown comedy and rock, jazz or traditional down-east music. In the summer, street corners are awash with guitarists, jugglers, clowns and performers of all kinds ready to give you a tune and a smile. tune. And then you forget about it. When you come back to it again, you'd try it out and if it sounded pretty good, well, that's the way you play it. Otherwise, you had another crack at it. See if you could alter it a little bit. I joined the Maritime Merrymakers, a road show, about 1933-34. (Where did you find them?) They found me, down in White Point. They came down with a show, you know. And the blackface, half of it. Five, I think we had, in the show. I started out with (the Maritime Merrymak? ers) at White Point. They came down and they did a show. And I think we had a show in Neil's Harbour or South Harbour--it was a- while back, now, and I just forget which one. But any? way, they asked my dad and mom if I could come up as far as Sydney with them. They were go? ing to show in In? gonish and North Bay and Neil's Har? bour and so on. And they said, "Well, he's 19 ...." I said, "Yes, sure I'll go." Nova Scotia has something for everyone. It's a haven for outdoor adventurers, nature lovers, photographers, swimmers, windsurfers, sailors, theatre-goers, history buffs, music lovers, campers, gourmets and people who like to step out on the town. Hundreds of festivals throughout the Province celebrate where we came from and what we've come to be. This is the summer to rediscover Nova Scotia. Step into History You'll find museums and historic sites in towns and cities all across Nova Scotia. Some, like the Alexander Graham Bell Museum and Uniacke House, pay tribute to prominent Nova Scotians of the past. Others tell of the peoples who came here to settle, like the Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia, the only museum of Black cultfjre in Canada, and Grand Pre National Historic Park which honours Nova Scotia's first European colonists. You can be a part of living history in the restored and preserved historic sites of Nova Scotia. Louisbourg, the Halifax Citadel and Sherbrooke Village bring you face to face with our past and let you experience life as our ancestors lived it Step into Nature Beautiful national and provincial parks beckbn the outdoor enthusiast. Trek across the rugged and panoramic Cape Breton Highlands National Park or canoe the gentle waterways of Kejimkujik. Nova Scotia is home to the best network of inspected, approved private campgrounds in Canada. They provide full amenities and they're always close to great outdoor adventure. Tube down a quiet river, shoot white water rapids or cast your line in some of the best fishing streams in North America. The unspoiled beauty of our parks is world renowned. One outing will tell you why. Take your camera and lots of film. You'll find a photograph waiting for you around every bend. Step into Entertainment Your family will never be at a loss for great entertainment in Nova Scotia. There's ballet, the symphony and international stars. There's live theatre like the Yarmouth Arts Centre, The Ship's Company Festival Theatre on Step into Festivals Nova Scotia is known as Canada's Festival Province. And, so it should. This year will see over 350 festivals held in virtually every community in the Province. There'll be extravaganzas like the Nova Scotia Tattoo, heritage celebrations like Festival Acadien and community fairs like the Lake Charlotte Village Fair. You can take part in a different Testival every weekend. Jack Maclsaac Minister of Tourism Step in, Call in, Check-In For full information on all the exciting events and activities taking place in Nova Scotia this summer, step into your nearest Tourist Bureau or call Check-In's computerized information/ reservation system toll free. In Halifax/Dartmouth 425-5781 In Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island 1-800-565-7105 So away we go. And this is a funny thing. We showed 2 or 3 shows coming up. I believe we showed one in Bad- deck. Then we came to Sydney. They didn't know this part of the country. And they booked the Star Theatre down at the Pier. And our show was half comedian, black co? median. They blacked up, you know. We imitated them. So we got down to the hall about 8:30. Show started at 9 o'clock, I think. It was in the sum? mertime. Gee, I took a peak out through the cur? tains . I looked out--there was noth? ing there but col? oured people. 80%, anyway. So I came back in and I called Ralph Black- more . He was manag? er; it was his show. CONTINUED NEXT PAGE (9)