2011 FIDDLE FEST & Community Contra Country Dance

The local Branch #18 Funtime Fiddlers will be out in force on Saturday,
April 16th, at the annual Fiddle Fest at the Merville Hall. With a Fiddlers'
Showcase from 4 to 5:30pm there will be fiddle music aplenty to keep the
audience entertained. Entrance is by donation and all funds go towards
encouraging youth musicians in the Comox Valley.

The evening Community Contra Country Dance starts with a short dance
workshop preceeding the dance so get there early to practice your moves. At
7:30PM 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. The Funtime Fiddlers
are adept at playing waltzes, polkas and two steps inbetween the Contra
dances and some of the youth and older players will play solos for your
dancing pleasure.

The hall is looking pretty swish and the 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 Funtime Fiddlers and
Fiddlejam

What: Fiddle Fest and Community Contra Country Dance
Where: The Merville Hall in Merville
When: Saturday, April 16th. Dance 7:30; Fiddle Event 4:00pm
Cost: Fiddle Event by donation; Dance $10, youth $5.

Click here for the poster.

 

NEW BC OLD TIME FIDDLE CLUB (BCOTFA)

The Funtime Fiddlers, Comox Valley Branch #18 of the BCOTFA, is entering their second year as a sanctioned club. Anyone is invited to be a member...musicians, dancers, young and old. The club is gearing themselves up to be the main players for Contra Dances in the North Island. We blend Old Time dances with our Contra Dance sets so you can have the best of both worlds. Contra / Old Time Dances are generally held on the third Saturday of the month from September to June (though sometimes the dates are changed due to availability of players, caller and hall...check here for dates) and they are at the posh and "getting updated" Merville Hall in Merville, on the Old Island Highway, between Courtenay and Campbell River. Dance starts at 7:00pm until 10:00pm. Meetings are held every couple of months. Membership is $10.00 for the year and there is a family rate.

COFFE HOUSE

Qualicum Coffee House, Fridays at the Rotary House, 211 West Fern Road, Qualicum Beach. $5 per person at the door. Doors open 7pm. Open Stage 7:30pm. Come and share your talents in song, poetry, story telling and more (sign up in advance or at 7pm...limited spaces). Organic coffee at break time donated by Creekmore Coffee. Contact Joyce Beaton at jbeaton@shaw.ca.

Strathcona Orchestra

Every Monday at Mark Isfeld School, Courtenay. Anyone with musical ability is invited to be at the school at 6:30pm to sign up and play. New players needed and welcomed. Cost $120.00/year.

Coombs Country Opera

Starting up again in September, the 3rd Sat. of every month.

It is an open stage event with no charge for entertainersAdults $5.00 and children under 12 are free

Starts at 7:00pm and goes to 10:30 usually.

The person is charge is Jim Brown and you just give him your name when you come in and what you are going to do and he will put you on the agenda.

2009

Music Bursaries for Fiddle Youth

In June senior members the Comox Valley Funtime Fiddlers (Branch #18) and Fiddlejam presented 14 young players, from the Comox Valley to Campbell River, with bursaries to enable the youth to take fiddle lessons, attend fiddle camps and participate in fiddle contests. Pictured are Tanner Cameron, Giovanni Bellosillo, Tom White, Maddy Erickson, Anna Egan, Trent Freeman, Scherene Aucterlonie, Leah Reimer, Daisy Squires, Kennedy Lucas, Alannah LeClere, Jasmine Beigler and Paul LeClere. (MIA Alex Lamoureux).

FIDDLE FEST - The 9th Annual Fiddle Fest Saturday, April 11th, was another resounding success with Three Time Canadian Fiddle Champion, Mark Sullivan, and a big Contra Dance in the evening. We look forward to next year's event.

2008

Fiddle Fest was a great success this year with headliner, Patti Lamoureux accompanied by Joel Lamoureux and Trent Freeman

2006

....and the winners of the Comox Valley Arts and Culture Awards are....

Trent Freeman - Mentor of the Year
Helen Austin - Innovator of the Year