After many requests from fans, the New York State Old Tyme Fiddlers’ Association is pleased to announce the long-awaited return engagement of Canadian fiddler Ivan Hicks and his pianist wife Vivian as guest artists at the 38th Annual Fiddler’s Picnic Festival, July 22-25, at the North American Fiddlers’ Hall of Fame and Museum, 1121 Comins Road, Osceola.
Ivan and his wife Vivian are well known throughout North America for preserving and promoting old-time fiddling. As musical ambassadors for their home province of New Brunswick, and the rest of Canada, they truly reflect their Atlantic Canadian heritage in their music. Both Ivan and Vivian have inspired countless musicians, young and old, with their stage, radio and TV appearances, recordings and books, and by serving as teachers and mentors. For his part, Ivan has won countless fiddle championships and continues to judge fiddling contests throughout Canada. In 1990 he was inducted into our own North American Fiddlers’ Hall of Fame.
In addition to multiple performances throughout the Picnic Festival weekend, Ivan and Vivian will join with local musicians in a free pre-festival jam session, Thursday, July 22 at 7 p.m. They will also teach fiddle and piano classes at the all-day paid workshops in fiddle, backup piano, guitar and mandolin, on Friday, July 23, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Other instructors for the Friday workshop classes are Agnes McCarthy, Jackie Hobbs and Dave Ruch. The cost of the All-Day Friday workshops is $35 including a box lunch. Pre-registration is not necessary, but for further information or to reserve a box lunch, call 315-487-8806. (Area restaurants are available.)
The Festival officially opens Friday, July 23 at 7 p.m. with Youth Night performances by youth fiddlers, followed by an open mike session and round and square dancing. On Saturday morning, July 24, Ivan and Vivian will join with other instructors in teaching free Musicians’ Workshops in fiddle and backup instruments, (Beginners and Intermediate – 9:30 a.m.; Advanced – 10:30 a.m.).
Ivan and Vivian’s concert performances are scheduled for Friday, 8 p.m.; Saturday, 12:15, 4:45 and 9 p.m.; and Sunday, 12 noon and 4 p.m. Rounding out the weekend are open mike sessions, a Fiddlers’ Hall of Fame induction ceremony and show Saturday evening, and a Sunday morning gospel hour. Musicians are welcome to bring their instruments and play in the jamming tent at any time during the weekend.
All events take place in handicapped accessible facilities that include a covered pavilion with performance stage and areas for seating and dancing, and an adjoining patio with umbrella tables where patrons may watch and listen to the show while enjoying refreshments available from a food vendor. The Fiddlers’ Hall of Fame and Museum is open during all the events. The Fiddlers’ Picnic Festival is made possible in part through a grant from the New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency.
For further information about the Fiddlers’ Picnic Festival, the paid workshops (registration not necessary), or a map and directions, visit www.nysotfa.com or call 315-487-8806.