These four artists are set to converge at the Red Shoe Pub in Mabou for Day 4 of Kitchenfest! a special Pub Night on June 30, 2025, This event promises an evening of lively tunes and camaraderie, celebrating the rich tapestry of Cape Breton's musical traditions
🎻 Shelly Campbell
Born and raised on West Bay Road, Inverness County, Shelly Campbell has been a cornerstone of Cape Breton fiddle tradition for over three decades. Influenced by local luminaries such as Stephanie Wills, Theresa MacLellan, Gertie Coffin, and Alex Francis MacKay, her style is powerful, lively, graceful, and deeply rooted in community heritage. A passionate Gaelic advocate, she teaches math and Gaelic at the junior-high level and leads fiddle workshops across Cape Breton, the Maritimes, Ontario, Scotland, Ireland, and Denmark.
https://kitchenfest.ca/artist/shelly-campbell/
🎹 Allan Dewar
Piano Accompaniment
With deep roots in both Halifax and Antigonish, Allan is the heartbeat behind the tunes. A master accompanist with an ear finely tuned to Cape Breton rhythm, his piano playing uplifts, grounds, and carries the melody like a dance partner.
He’s toured globally with the best in the business—Jerry Holland, Natalie MacMaster, and Troy MacGillivray, to name a few—and still brings that quiet fire to every ceilidh and at The Shoe.
🎻 Donny LeBlanc
From Petit Étang near Chéticamp, Donny LeBlanc began his musical journey around age three, clapping sticks along to CJFX radio before mastering the fiddle. Influenced by Arthur Muise, Buddy MacMaster, and Winston Fitzgerald, he later studied formally and developed original compositions. His discography includes Traditional Cape Breton Music (LP, 1985), Rosining up the Bow (CD, 1993), and Les Reels des Cap-Rougiens (2002) From 1977 to ’97, he held court as the house fiddler at the Doryman Pub, and today he continues to delight audiences across Cape Breton. canadasmusicalcoast.com+5celtic-colours.com+5calmradio.com+5.
🎩 Kenny Stewart
Guitarist Kenny Stewart has been steeped in traditional Cape Breton music from a young age. He has performed at dances and concerts throughout Cape Breton and Eastern Nova Scotia alongside legends like Buddy MacMaster, Natalie MacMaster, John Pellerin, Rodney MacDonald, Jerry Holland, and Arthur Muise. His performances seamlessly blend guitar virtuosity, stage charm, and a dash of magic.