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General Information on 2008 Concerts and Dances

(click on the Concert Schedule button to the left for details)

Concerts & Dances

We got lots of them, and we feature some of the best talent you’ll find anywhere!

Aboriginal entertainer Winston Wuttunee has wowed audiences and been involved in the Canadian Music industry since 1973 as a singer, keynote speaker and comedian. Born and raised in Saskatchewan, Winston currently resides in Edmonton. He has many recordings to his credit, and many awards including a Lifetime Achievement from the Annual Aboriginal Awards.

2008 will usher in a new Thursday night tradition for the John Arcand Fiddle Festival:the presentation of the John Arcand Fiddle Fest Lifetime Achievement Award and accompanying tribute concert. This event will allow us to further achieve our goals of preserving and promoting fiddle music and dance by honouring those artists who have themselves tirelessly worked to promote the art.

Each year, an individual (or group) will be chosen to receive the award based on his or her contribution to fiddle, music and dance. A concert in tribute to the winner will follow the presentation of the award. The concert will consist of a variety of performers, including the honouree where appropriate. If the honouree has contributed to the fiddle world by another means, programming for the concert will include music deemed appropriate for the event.

Friday Evening Concert Showcase and Old Time Dance

This popular Concert Showcase features seven (7) acts from a variety of genres, cultures and disciplines, this showcase also features two novice fiddle players chosen by the Artistic Director and founder, John Arcand. Each are profiled for two years, allowing the audience to witness their growth and skill development over that period and demonstrates what practice, quality instruction and the “love” of an art form can develop into. The performance opportunity in front of a large audience is great for their development and we find other young fiddle players are inspired by this, many hoping and working hard to be chosen in following years.

Our 2008 Friday Concert Showcase Lineup (in no particular order right now):

     Celine Hounjet (SK) – Novice fiddle player in her second year of being showcased
     Dorian Michael (SK)  – A finger style blues guitarist
     Dolores Sands (SK) – Well known Cree Entertainer appearing as Kokum Elvis
     The Happy Wanderers (SK) – A Modern Day Square Dance Group
     Amati Quartet (SK)  – This string quartet is the top class of classical 
     Matthew Gervais (AB)  – Novice Fiddle Player – first year to be showcased
     Michelle Arcand (AB) – A talented country vocalist.

Old Time Dance
Red River Mates (MB) – This great dance group from in and around the Winnipeg/Selkirk Area will have you swinging your partner all night long.

Saturday Evening Concert and Dance

Traditionally the highest attended event of the Festival, the John Arcand & Friends concert will celebrate the festival’s mandate again, with The Fiddle Workshop Instructors Showcase - but with a twist. In 2007 to celebrate our 10^th Anniversary we invited former youth to participate with John on stage and it was a crowd favorite. Our plans for 2008 will continue to foster the mentoring relationships between our youth and our instructors. To do this, we plan to present a mix of emerging talent with our established performers. Each young artist will be paired with an instructor with whom they share an interest in common for a mini-performance. The show will culminate in a grand finale where all of the performers will perform onstage together.This format will demonstrate the important role of mentoring, teaching and carrying on tradition and it will be a spectacular showcase not to be missed.

Saturday Evening Old Time Dance
Perennial favorites "Bannock Country" will be back to provide the music for the old time dance on Saturday.  The Métis Band from Debden, Saskatchewan has provided this service for the festival for the last six years, and we are constantly receiving positive feedback and suggestions for more!!!

Sunday Morning Fiddles and Flapjacks
This year, we are pleased to have the Northern Lights Bluegrass and Old Tyme Music Society provide the live fiddle music for this very popular Pancake Breakfast.

Sunday Morning Gospel Hour
An hour of old time non-denominational Gospel Music provided by the Pelletier Family.  Freddie, Sheila, and Clinton have just released an album of Gospel Favourites.  With the Pelletier's already being Festival favourites, this is sure to be a great hour of entertainment.

Music Breaks
In 2008, again, if time allows Music breaks will be scheduled throughout the competitions, and the Festival is in the unique position of always having ready talent on hand and willing to jump in with a few minutes notice.