The 63rd Canadian Open Old Time Fiddle Championship takes place here Aug. 7 to 11.
Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Shelburne, the event features Canada’s top fiddlers in competition for thousands of dollars in prizes.
Community events in conjunction with the Canadian Open Old Time Fiddle Championship include camping, a giant fiddle parade, an open air market, Saturday afternoon Cape Ceol fiddle and step dance show, fiddle jam sessions, concert by Everything Fitz with special guests Nate Douglas and Emily Flack, beer garden, Battle of the Bands, non-denominational church service, 24-hour meals and entertainment at the Legion, and community pork barbecue.
Local bands, That 60s Show, and Glory Days (Bruce Springsteen tribute) will perform at the Entertainment Gardens.
The fiddle championship starts with play downs on Aug. 9 at 1pm and 7pm at the Centre Dufferin Recreation Complex (Shelburne arena). Classes competing in the afternoon include the young (9 and under, 12 and under) and the young at heart (56 and over). The evening features the remaining classes.
The contest finals are on Aug. 10 at 6pm with the best fiddlers competing for over $17,000 in prizes. The evening will also feature entertainment by the Black Family, as well as the judges’ showcase. The judges for this year’s competition are renowned fiddlers Ian Hamilton, Brian Hebert and Doug McNaughton.
The Black Family consists of ten children ranging in age from five to 21. They have made music a large part of their family life. They started with piano as young children, and were inspired to get a fiddle when they saw Leahy in concert for the first time.
Now, aside from two pianos and ten fiddles, their Markdale, Ontario home also has guitars, a mandolin, accordion, banjo, step dance shoes, and an assortment of other instruments.
Their music, which has taken them to many small towns in Ontario, ranges from old-time fiddle tunes to vocal favorites from years past.
On Aug. 8 at 7:30pm the Rotary Club of Shelburne welcomes Everything Fitz, a six piece family band featuring four of Canada’s finest young musicians. With roots in the Canadian old-time fiddle tradition and Ottawa Valley step dancing, their show combines a variety of musical styles – everything from traditional jigs and reels, bluegrass, swing, Celtic, and gospel to novelty numbers and choreographed dance routines.
The group features Julie Fitzgerald, the 2009 Canadian Grandmasters Fiddle Champion and 2010 Canadian Grandmasters and Canadian Open winner, as well as her brother Tom, who won both the 2012 Canadian Open Fiddle Championship as well as the Canadian Grandmasters.
The family group will be joined by special guests Emily Flack and Nate Douglas. Flack, a multi-talented performer has been a guest artist with Leahy and Natalie MacMaster, will provide vocal numbers as well as piano and step dancing. Douglas is a graduate of the music programs at Western University and Humber College. He is a much sought-after guitar player and recently toured with Natalie MacMaster.
There are various types of tickets and prices, depending on the event people are interested at the event.
Tickets are available by phone at 519-925-8620 or in person at Holmes Appliances, 135 Main Street West in Shelburne or call 519-925-3037.
For more information visit www.ShelburneFiddleContest.com.
