Welcome to the BIS of PEI

The authentic Irish ceilidh features comedy by ceilidh emcee Laurie Murphy. She will pepper her artist introductions and Irish trivia with a positive and joyful Celtic perspective. Murphy has been a BIS member for many years and has presented or performed in a variety of shows at the Irish Cultural Centre over the years, such as TheatrePEI, The FIGHT Club improv troupe, Celtic Knot, The Seagals, and HA Club improv.

 

Laura, Jim and Paddy Farrell are members of the infamous Guinness, the traditional Celtic music band based in Prince Edward Island. Most recently, Guiness played to hundreds of delighted Islanders visiting the BIS-sponsored event on Levee Day, January 1, 2026, at the Irish Cultural Centre in Charlottetown. It was an opportunity for people to learn about and celebrate Irish culture and heritage from the members of Guiness, joyful Irish ambassadors through music, song, and dance.

 

Instrumental fiddle tunes by Flora MacLaine provide another aspect of Celtic music tradition. She is a young woman performing across PEI year-round and often brings youthful stepdance to her performances, as well. Either way, MacLaine will have everyone dancing in their seats.

 

Vocalist Bridget Patterson will grace the audience with her poignant rendition of a new-to-the BIS song “The Shamrock and the Maple Leaf,” a Canadian wearing of the green for St. Patrick’s Day written by PEI’s William Edgar Enman. Patterson is a student in the Holland College Performing Arts Program in Charlottetown, and a must-see performer.

 

Step dancers Grace Sulis-Chaisson and Liliana Bradley will present their traditional dance at the Ceilidh. Sulis-Chaisson is the 2024 youth talent winner of the annual talent competition in the Summerside Lobster Carnival, and Bradley is a high school student from New Glasgow. The pair will provide a youthful and energetic set celebrating music.