RELAUNCHING THE FUTURE 139 CAMPAIGN!!
"Joining Together" From The Cape Breton Post Nov 6 2015
Men of the Deeps Announce 50th Anniversary Tour - ATV News
The Men of the Deeps and The Savoy Theatre have been providing entertainment to Cape Breton Island for a combined 139 years! In 2016, the Men of the Deeps will celebrate their 50th anniversary while the Savoy Theatre enters its 89th year in operation. Please help support these two Ambassadors of Cape Breton Island.
50 YEARS OF SONG FOR THE MEN OF THE DEEPS
For the past 50 years, Cape Breton's own Men of the Deeps (MOD) choir have been travelling the world as Canadian Ambassadors, singing and story-telling their way into audiences' hearts. That's why, in 2016, we hope to proudly celebrate the choir's success with an anniversary event. The MOD have spent 50 years delivering moving and emotional performances on large and small stages; 50 years giving us a sense of what life was like as a miner in our mining communities; 50 years of preserving and presenting to the world in song, some of our rich Cape Breton folklore and culture.
The Men of the Deeps have toured throughout Canada and most of the United States. They have had opportunities to connect with audiences in the People’s Republic of China and even Kosovo in the former Republic of Yugoslavia ( at the request of Canada’s Department of Foreign Affairs, where they performed in a gala festival organized by actress Vanessa Redgrave on behalf of the United Nations Children’s Fund). The choir has also been as far north as the Ekati diamond mines in the Northwest Territories, and as far south as Arizona, Alabama, Florida and the Appalachian coal mining communities of Kentucky, Virginia and Pennsylvania. The group was even invited to perform in Las Vegas at the international MineExpo conference, where sold out audiences enjoyed its unique blend of songs and stories for six consecutive nights. These larger tours are accompanied by regular Miner's Museum Tuesday night performances and the many festivals and events they're invited to attend.
Today the Men of the Deeps are so much more than a singing group - they are a social institution. The camaraderie amongst the members carries over to their audiences wherever they perform, pulling show-goers to their feet, time and time again; making those who aren't home, homesick and those who are home, proud.
To be a member of the MOD, you must have served a minimum of two years in the mine. Each of the members have earned the right to wear their signature coveralls. Clad in those coveralls and hard hats, they make an impressive impact when they enter a concert hall in total darkness with only the lamps on their helmets for light.
THE SAVOY THEATRE - SOME HISTORY
In 2015, the Savoy Theatre entered its 88th year of providing cultural entertainment to Cape Breton Island. Established in 1927, the Savoy Theatre first opened as a live performance venue and hosted acts of every kind until the mid 1950's when it became a movie theatre. By the early 1970's the Savoy had fallen into a state of disrepair and was refurbished by the Town of Glace Bay. The Savoy Theatre reopened its doors in 1976 as "Cape Breton's Entertainment Show Place."
Today, the Savoy Theatre plays an essential role in the local community, providing an opportunity for residents and visitors alike to enjoy a great diversity of entertainment. From community Remembrance Day services to debut recitals of young local dancers, the Savoy presents and produces over 150 events per year and admits more than 30,000 people annually.
The majority of Savoy performers are Cape Breton artists, many of whom got their start at the Savoy. We have been honoured to have the best of the best at the Savoy including Rita MacNeil, Men of the Deeps, The Barra MacNeils, J.P. Cormier, The Rankin Family, Ashley MacIssac and Natalie MacMaster. The Savoy Theatre also attracts national and international performers, some of which include Blue Rodeo, kd Lang, Ron James, Serena Ryder, The White Stripes, Gerry Dee, Tommy Hunter, Stompin' Tom Connors, Melissa Etheridge and Leonard Cohen.
The Savoy Theatre returned to its musical theatre roots in 2013 with a major community theatre production of Les Miserables:
The production was a resounding success and also served as a testament to the wealth of talent that we have on Cape Breton Island. This production led to further Savoy Theatre-produced shows such as Chicago, Into the Woods, Disney's Little Mermaid JR., The Cape Breton Tenors, The Cape Breton Summertime Revue -The Next Generation and The Soundof Music (November 2015).
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(Scene from the May 2014 Savoy Theatre production of
Chicago - Photo: David MacVicar)
Over the past five years, the Savoy Theatre has made many essential repairs such as facade restoration and a new roof (Phase 1). Phase 2 will include repairs to our heating systems as well as further facade restoration. The Savoy Theatre raises funds through ongoing community fundraising campaigns and grants. However, we are now broadening our appeal in order to secure funding for urgent and necessary upgrades to our sound system. As our old equipment degrades, we have had to rent systems for our major musical productions and concerts. Having our own system in place will allow us to save money and do so much more.
These upgrades will provide the basic components of a modernized system allowing the Savoy to continue to produce quality entertainment.
THE MEN OF THE DEEPS & THE SAVOY THEATRE: A RICH HISTORY
The Men of the Deeps have been a part of many of the Savoy's fundraising campaigns over the years. Volunteering their time to appear on stage with Cape Breton's First Lady of Song - Rita MacNeil, the Men of the Deepshave also performed at the Savoy in countless concerts. The Men of the Deeps have contributed a great deal to the Savoy Theatre. And now, we come together again to raise funds that will go towards the Men of the Deeps' 50th anniversary gala and enable the Savoy Theatre to upgrade its sound equipment for the 2016 Season!
YOUR SUPPORT IS APPRECIATED
We need your help. The Men of the Deeps and the Savoy Theatre are both not-for-profit organizations. Money raised for the Men of the Deeps 50th year and the Savoy Theatre will ensure this iconic group is celebrated with a 50th Anniversary Gala Event and Commemorative CD with the help of a modernized Savoy sound system.
Please consider helping us to reach our goal. The choir has made us proud on hundreds of occasions. Let's support them and the Savoy by celebrating their continued commitment and success. Our goal is $25,000. Every dollar counts and your donation could earn you a free gift.
UPDATES - RECENT ARTICLES ON OUR CAMPAIGN!
"Joining Together" From The Cape Breton Post Nov 6 2015
"A Deep Connection" The Cape Breton Post November 6th 2015
