Mi’kmaw singer Michael R. Denny is featured in Musique Royale’s latest online concert, part of a series filmed in historic Nova Scotian venues as part of the group’s 35th anniversary season.
The renowned Eskasoni Mi’kmaw Nation traditional singer will share songs from centuries ago to today, — as well as the history of the music — in an intimate performance recorded at Government House in Halifax that will be available for viewing on YouTube, starting at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday.
Denny has shared his music and traditions across Atlantic Canada and beyond, as a solo performer and as a composer for his powwow drum group Stoney Bear Singers. In 2016, he released his debut album Traditionally Yours: Mi’kmaq Drums, Young and Old. His work is fueled by his lifelong passion for Mi’kmaw songs, dances and language, and their revival.
The concerts are part of Musique Royale’s Festival of Music in Historic Nova Scotia: Virtual Edition, available to watch on YouTube for two weeks after they’ve been posted. A previous program featuring pianist and composer Peter-Anthony Togni, from Truro’s First United Church, is currently available to view until Aug. 22.
Musique Royale is based in the historic town of Lunenburg and has been dedicated to promoting traditional and early music in historic Nova Scotian venues since it was founded in 1985. For more information, visit musiqueroyale.com.
