Festival celebrates old-time fiddle music

Page 10

Three days of non-stop fiddle music, jigging, workshops and performances await visitors to the largest annual outdoor fiddle event in Western Canada.

The seventh annual John Arcand Fiddle Contest will be held from Aug. 13 to 15 on the Windy Acres Vacation Farm, eight kilometres outside of Saskatoon.

Last year more than 2,200 festivalgoers watched a record-breaking 53 fiddlers compete in the annual event, hosted by John Arcand and his wife Vicki.

"A few years ago, John decided he wanted to ensure the tradition of the Metis fiddler would be carried on by sharing his talents and hosting a festival where fiddle players could meet and compete," said Vicki.

"He'd been involved in playing the fiddle all his life. Everywhere he went he found that people enjoyed the music and would come out to a venue where there was lots of music and dancing."

Vicki's employment background is in advertising and public relations, so she naturally assumed the role of promoter.

"It been growing every year in part because we've kept admission rates low so everyone can easily afford to attend."

John Arcand is known as the Master of the Metis Fiddle, so Metis culture is the focus. "However, we have tried every year to showcase a different culture, such as Ukrainian, Cree or Dene, so we maintain a multicultural atmosphere," Vicki said. Well-known fiddler Calvin Volrath has confirmed attendance at this year's festival.

"Our mandate is to promote and preserve fiddle music and dance and to provide a forum to showcase youth, talent, and culture," she said. In keeping with that mandate, the Arcands host the Canadian Red River Jigging Championship in conjunction with the fiddle festival.

"You can't have one without the other," said Vicki. Dancers from across North America compete for generous prize awards and top-notch judges have a tough time picking the best from the large group of talented performers.

An additional category that is not found at other fiddle festivals is the traditional Metis category, which is unique because the fiddle is tuned differently and the only accompaniment is the fiddler's feet.

"It took a couple of years to get the word around, but it's so much a part of the culture that we felt it had to be included," Vicki said.

"We feature a workshop focused precisely on the correct and traditional form of jigging," she explained. "We have Elders who teach the original men's and women's steps."

The Arcands urge people to consider making the festival a stop on their vacation trail.

"We have lots of spots for campers and there are hotel rooms available nearby in Saskatoon," said Vicki. "Experiencing the fiddle festival once leaves visitors of all ages wanting to come back."

For more information about the festival, visit Arcand's Web site at www.johnarcand.com.