Where do the days go?
It is already time for the Comox Valley’s biggest fiddle event of the year, the 11th annual Fiddle Fest at the Big Yellow Merville Hall.
Yes, the local Branch 18 Funtime Fiddlers will be out in force March 9 and 10, entertaining the crowds and learning new tunes.
This year’s Friday concert features national entertainer, Kelli Trottier, a champion fiddler and stepdancer from the heart of country fiddling in Ontario. Kelli is on a cross-Canada tour and she’s fitting Fiddle Fest into her busy schedule.
She will be accompanied by stellar guitarist Greg Simm, a Maritime musician who has toured with many of Canada’s top-notch fiddlers. The concert will be opened by a talented array of young fiddlers, the hottest in the Valley, who will set the stage for Kelli.
Kelli is a contemporary of fiddle icon, Calvin Vollrath, who, you’ll recall, rocked the hall with his dynamic fiddling two years ago. With Kelli, however, you’ll get her fabulous fiddling and her championship stepdancing routines.
The next day, March 10, from 9 till 2 in the Merville Hall, there will be three sets of musical workshops on fiddle, guitar, dance, keyboard, etc. For $5 per workshop, you can have a lesson with Kelli or Gregg or a host of other inspiring instructors and then have a jam with your newfound friends.
There will be an all-day and evening canteen to keep the growlies at bay and spectators are more than welcome to sit in and listen to, and marvel at, the thaumaturge-like musicians.
The Saturday Contra Dance will be another barnburner as the hall fills with eager dancers in the evening. Kelli’s fiery fiddle will lead the band and the Contras will last all night.
The doors open at 6:45 for a short Contra dance workshop preceeding the dance so get there early to practise your moves. At 7:30, the dance will commence and will whirl on until the partying patrons are practically pooped.
With Contra dances being taught on the spot it is easy to join in if you are a beginner and experienced dancers will always find a challenge to inspire them. All are welcome and you don’t even need to bring a partner as you can pair up on the floor.
The Funtime Fiddler band is adept at playing waltzes, polkas and counrty shuffles, inbetween the Contra dances. We’ll also have Kelli, and some of the youth players, delight you with solos for your dancing and listening pleasure.
So come on down to the swish-looking Big Yellow (Le Grand Jaune, in French) Merville Hall and celebrate Canadian country music in style. The cozy canteen will have evening refreshments to slake your thirst.
Everyone is relaxed and friendly and eager to have some good old-fashioned fun. Thank you to everyone for your continued support of community fiddle dances with the Funti
