When we started the Miramichi Kitchen Party we never thought it would become one of the premier tourism products of the Miramichi. We had been entertaining audiences together for over a dozen years in pubs, concerts and conventions and we knew that we had developed a presentation that was somewhat unique and a show that might interest tourists. I remember the first show of this type that we presented. It was in a local restaurant and we called it "The Miramichi Dinner Theater". It went over reasonably well but we felt there was something missing. That was 1998.
During the next couple of years we talked about the "tourist show" and tried to partner with another local establishment but just couldn't find the formula to make it work for everyone involved. We did, however, come up with a dynamite name and The Miramichi Kitchen Party was born, at least on paper.
In the winter of 2000 I became disillusioned with the job that had occupied my time for the previous 16 years. It was time to move into something different and over the period of a few months I came up with the concept for what would become Saltwater Sounds, a music store that would promote Atlantic Canadian recording artists and maybe, eventually, move into the retail sale of musical instruments. We might also have room for some "live" music from time to time. In one of my many conversations with Connie about the concept and design of the store she said: "...too bad you couldn't put a kitchen in the store, then, we would have a place to host our kitchen parties." The rest as they say... is history.
Since that time, we have had the good fortune of hosting people from around the world.... from as far away as China and Australia... from sea to sea across Canada .... from 43 of the continental United States... and from as far south as Mexico. We have made lasting friendships with some of our guests and and we have developed working relationships with some of the largest. and smallest, tour operators in North America. We have worked closely with all three levels of government and to what end? To bring the world into the Miramichi and have them experience the stories, music and people that make us who were are. We are proud of that achievement and value the experiences that we have shared.
We have shared our kitchen with some phenomenal musicians; Miramichi Fiddling Legend Matilda Murdoch, Acadian fiddler Melani-lin Richard, multi-instrumentalist Don Rigley and NB Country music Hall of Famer Stan Taylor to name a few. We have shared our stories and songs with thousands of people, in both official languages of N.B., and each and every time that we do, we have felt a pride to be a part of the rich history that is alive in this amazing part of our great province.
Here are a few of the videos that we currently have posted on YouTube. Hopefully they will give you an idea of what we are up to with this product. The first one is one produced by a couple of friends of ours, Terry Gadsden and Kevin Blair. It really captures the essence of the Miramichi Kitchen Party...
...this next one was shot by the Canadian Tourism Commission and forms part of their online tourism campaign to show people of the world..."the unexpected Canada"...
...this one is pretty cool. It was produced by the Province of N.B. - Tourism & Parks and features a Point of View Camera, which is sometimes located on my head...
If you like what you see here, come on in and join us. You can find all the information you need at www.MiramichiKitchenParty.com . We would love to have you join us and do us a small favour....spread the word!
Now THAT looks like fun. Well done and congratulations.
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