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Beatty House continues to be popular venue for house concerts

During the last few months, The Beatty House, a well-known landmark on Main Street Rimbey has been the scene
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Musician Kim Dunn entertained at a house concert held at The Beatty Heritage House June 6.

During the last few months, The Beatty House, a well-known landmark on Main Street Rimbey has been the scene of a series of house concerts. These concerts have showcased diverse and talented musicians.

The Beatty House Society agreed to hold the concerts as a way of promoting Rimbey’s heritage and giving more credence to the cultural scene in town, said Bronwen Jones, society member.

The last concert, held March 6, featured musician Kim Dunn and Jones said his performance was wonderful.

“The music just flowed out of his fingers.”

Born and raised in North Sydney, Nova Scotia, Kim Dunn started his musical career by studying jazz at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish.  Three decades later this incredibly accomplished musician has shared the stage with the who’s who of East coast and international artists including Rita MacNeil, Bruce Guthro, Matt Minglewood, Jimmy Rankin, David Myles, Jill Barber, Dave Gunning, George Canyon, Alison Krauss and Philip Glass.

Dunn was the first recipient of the East Coast Music Association’s Musician’s Achievement Award, an award designed to honor the integrity and merit of the consummate musician.

Dunn completed his first solo project, Take This Hammer, combining jazz, blues, soul and pop, in 2009.

He has performed his music with Symphony Nova Scotia and has received national exposure on CBC’s Canada Live and regionally on Atlantic Airwaves.  Most recently, Kim hosted the Rita’s Tea Room Summer Concert Series in Big Pond, Nova Scotia, a musical tribute to Rita McNeil.

The house concert series will wrap up at the Beatty House on April 11 with a performance by Cassie and Maggie MacDonald, sisters, who will bring a taste of Celtic music to Rimbey.

The girls were born into a family with a rich musical heritage and raised in Nova Scotia, the girls have used their unique up bringing as a springboard for their own brand of Celtic Roots music.

The talented musicians are well known in their field, having been recognized as Galaxie Radio Rising Star award winners and Canadian Folk Music Award nominees for Young Performers of the Year. They were also East Coast Music Award nominees for Traditional Album and double Music Nova Scotia Award nominees for New Artist and Roots Album of the year.

Their performance will take place downstairs in the Beatty House.

“It will be a kitchen party idea,” said Jones. “We plan to open it up so kids can come and anyone who wants to dance can do so. We just want everyone to have fun and enjoy themselves.”