The 16th Annual Fiddle Workshop will be taking place in Castlegar in a few weeks and musicians from across the region are making plans to attend.
The workshop takes place from July 10 to 14 at the Selkirk College Castlegar Campus and culminates in a public concert and dance Thursday, July 13 at 7 p.m.
The Kootenay branch of the BC Old Time Fiddlers association is hosting the workshop which not only offers instruction for fiddle, but piano and guitar as well.
Participants do not have to have any previous training, with classes catering to everyone from beginners to advanced players and all ages are welcome. Last year 85 people attended the five-day event.
The event also features workshops on related topics such as step dancing, harmony, vocals and “what to play when you don’t know the tune.”
Lessons are taught by ear in East Coast old time fiddle style. This year’s primary instructor is Gord Strobbe who travels all across Canada teaching at workshops and camps. He is the author of the Of Course You Can Play the Fiddle series. Other instructors include Tahnis Cunningham, Colin Buchart, Trish Clair, Ivonne Hernandez, JJ Guy, Mike Sanyshyn, Ray Bell, Geoff Horrocks and Kimberly Holmes.
The concert and dance will be held at the Castlegar Community Complex and will feature music from the workshop students and instructors followed by music from the BC Old Time Fiddlers. The concert is a family event and the square dancing is usually a highlight of the evening. Tickets are $10 for adults and children 12 and under can attend for free.
An additional concert by the instructors will be held in Trail at Gyro Park on Tuesday, July 11 at 7 p.m. admission is by donation.
More information including how to register for the workshop can be found at kootenayfiddlers.com.