Rick Stiebel/News staff
Some of Canada’s finest fiddlers are psyched to set their strings on fire at a concert in Victoria and a workshop in Esquimalt.
Ivonne Hernandez will take to the stage for a concert featuring a who’s who of fellow fiddle aficionados. Shane Cook, a Canadian and U.S. national fiddle champion; Nova Scotia sensation Troy MacGillivray; Daniel Lapp, one of Victoria’s most in-demand performers; multiple award winner Oliver Swain; and Charlie Gannon, a top jazz guitarist from Victoria who’s garnered a local following for his fiddling as well, are all slated to perform. Calvin Volrath, who composed five tunes for the Vancouver Winter Olympics 2010 opening ceremonies, has written more than 600 tunes and was inducted into the North American Fiddlers Hall of Fame in 2011. Coastline, a string ensemble of top young musicians from 14 to 22 years of age, will also perform.
It’s been Hernandez’s dream for a number of years to be able to gather this group for a concert in Victoria, no easy task considering each musician’s demanding schedule and tour commitments.
“I’m very excited to be able to bring some of my favourite musicians and friends from across Canada to Victoria for this epic musical weekend,” said Hernandez, a two-time Juno Award winner and graduate of Belmont Secondary School. “These are the best traditional musicians from all genres. I’ve always wanted to be able to put on an event and share my beautiful home town with my friends from far away. It’s a thrill to have my friends near and far be able to play together and collaborate together in Victoria to share their amazing talents with my wonderful students and trad music lovers.”
The concert takes place Friday, Feb. 15 at 7:30 p.m. at First Church of Christ Scientist at 1205 Pandora St. Tickets, which cost $25 for adults and $20 for youth and students, are available at Long and McQuade, Lyle’s Place and Ivy’s Bookshop.
The performers are also hosting an all-day workshop the next day, Saturday, Feb. 15 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Esquimalt United Church, 500 Admirals Rd. What promises to be a spirited jam session will unfold at the end of the workshop.
Tickets for the workshop are $125, or $140 for the concert and workshop combined. Go to ivonnehernandez.com for registration, tickets and information.
