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his past Sunday had me celebrating all that is magnifique about French Canadian culture as I celebrated La Fête Nationale Du Québec, or Québec’s national day of celebration. Necessary to any Quebecois celebration is music and for this celebration (formerly known as Le Jour du St. Jean Baptiste), I had one of my favorite Quebecois trad groups playing: Genticorum. This trio of wooden flute, fiddle, and guitar play the songs of their ancestors as imagined for present day. Their playing is exhilarating and by my living here, I miss many opportunities to see them live. But this year, a little bit of Quebec is coming to this coast.
Image courtesy Centrum
The Festival of American Fiddle Tunes will be featuring Genticorum among the amazing collection of traditional fiddle players from around the world. In addition to their Quebecois playing, the Festival will feature artists and tunes from across the United States and Canada as well as across the water to Ireland and Denmark from July 1 to 8.
According to their website,”The Festival of American Fiddle Tunes is celebrating its 36th year in 2012 as one of the largest gatherings of its kind in the nation. Artistic Director Suzy Thompson has assembled fiddle virtuosos and standard bearers of the old-time tradition to help you explore a wide variety of fiddle styles, with an emphasis on the oral tradition of close observation and listening.“
What does this mean for the fiddle fans out there? For me, it means seeing the best in fiddle tradition, played by masters, in the gorgeous setting of Fort Worden State Park. Fiddlin’ on the Fourth features Old time, Cape Breton, and New England Fiddlers and tunes in the first half with Danish, Southwest, and Irish artists and songs closing out the show. The Cajun Dance on July 6 will have feet flying with two bands playing Cajun tunes that are sure to heat up a Friday night. Bringing together a diverse group of Fiddlers and tunes playing everything from pre-war American to New Mexican songs, throwing in some Appalachian playing and ending with a French twist (Genticorum) the Fiddle Grand Finale is not to be missed.
06/26/12
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