IN THIS ISSUE
Colm Wilkinson: Broadway, Christmas & Beyond  

Nov. 14th | 8pm
The Burlington Performing
Arts Centre
440 Locust Street,
Burlington ON, CA L7S 1T7
The Irish Rovers: 50th Anniversary Tour
Nov. 20th | 8pm


The Burlington Performing
Arts Centre
440 Locust Street,
Burlington ON, CA L7S 1T7

Tickets: $55-59 (Canadian rate)
Andy Cooney's Irish Country Christmas
Dec. 17th | 7pm

    Featuring Andy Cooney, with special guests Dee Reilly and World Class Irish Dancers plus Bugs Moran and the Andy Cooney Band. Benefits Challenger Sports League. Tickets $20pp

Historic Palace Theatre
2 East Ave.
Lockport, NY 14094

The Official 2015 Festival Photos Arrive this Month!
Keep an eye on Facebook and our website for the many photos we'll be displaying *very soon* from this year's festival- as always taken by the great Wayne Peters. How many friends and family will you find?!
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NEXT MONTH
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The holidays have arrived! Get ready to celebrate with your loved ones with a little Celtic-American flare!
NOVEMBER 2015
Dear (Contact First Name)

Last month we introduced our fresh email design, which improves the view from mobile phones- our first step towards helping everyone easily enjoy being a part of the local Celtic Community! We can't wait to show you everything we're working on, especially on our website. The new email design also means I will only occasionally add a letter like this to the newsletters- meaning more space for the great content you want to read.

This month we're introducing a new article series in our monthly newsletters: How Celts Have Influenced the World.  People with Celtic ancestry live all over the world and have made contributions or have attributes which have impacted many lives. Our series will highlight great things from and about the Celts, and we hope you enjoy learning and discovering even more about our wonderful heritage!
 
Vicki Banks 
Associate Director 
Niagara Celtic Heritage Festival 
The Power of Hair...Color
Perhaps the most notable Celtic influence on the world is red hair, which is found all over the world today. Although its origins are not from Celtic nations, the largest percentage live in or have originated from them, making it a well-known Celtic trait. Red hair often comes with other distinct Celtic attributes, including fair skin, freckles, pale eye colors- and plenty of stereotypes and superstitions!
 
Red hair is a genetic mutation, same as blue eyes, which began over 70,000 years ago in West Asia. It was actually two different red mutations, with a third, darker variation appearing about 30,000 years ago in Europe. Today less than 1% of the population have natural red hair, in part because it is a recessive gene. This means each parent has to carry the gene, and even then there's only a 25% chance it will form. There is a large percentage of people who carry of the 'secret' gene, which is why sometimes people with red hair are the only one in their family or their family's generation. And contrary to popular belief, because so many carry the gene it's not 'dying out' anytime soon- if ever.

Its rarity is likely the reason it has always been associated as a gift or curse. During the Middle Ages some throughout women with red hair were more promiscuous, while many believed it was connected to magic and the supernatural. Alchemists even believed the blood of young red-headed men would turn copper into gold. The fear subsided a few centuries later, and red hair was largely known as a fashion statement- formed largely by Queen Elizabeth I's enviable locks. Red hair became extremely popular, to the point that many women known for their red hair, including Mary Queen of Scots, were constantly wearing wigs to hide their true hair color, which wasn't red. The most notable ginger in the last century is likely actress Lucille Ball, a natural brunette! She became a "golden apricot" after urges from the her employer, MGM Studios so her hair would be more vivid on television.

We may never know fully understand why the world equally covets and detests red-heads, but this will likely help it remain a popular Celtic icon for centuries to come.
The Latest from 'Our Celtic Community' Blog 
The Theft of the Crown Jewels
contribution written by Ben Johnson, posted on
www.historic-uk.com

One of the most audacious rogues in history was Colonel Blood, known as the 'Man who stole the Crown Jewels'.
Colonel Blood WKPD
Thomas Blood was an Irishman, born in County Meath in 1618, the son of a prosperous blacksmith. He came from a good family, his grandfather who lived in Kilnaboy Castle was a Member of Parliament.

The English Civil War broke out in 1642 and Blood came to England to fight for Charles I, but when it became apparent that Cromwell was going to win, he promptly changed sides and joined the Roundheads...read more


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2016 Patron Packages
Becoming a Patron allows you a small claim in this wonderful festival, helping us to continue sharing the heritage of Celtic nations. You will earn the connected royal title (Duke, Lady, etc.) and can choose which Celtic country to "live" in: Eire, Alba or Cymru. You'll also receive various gifts for being a Patron, plus if we add any new contests or prizes to the tiers you'll automatically be included!

All donations made before December 31st can be filed with your taxes; please visit our website to learn about our many Patron Packages (and gift incentives). Click here to Learn More