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National fiddle fest opens tonight in Shelburne

August 5, 2015   ·   0 Comments

The Beckett Family Show tonight (Thursday) will launch the 65th Canadian Open Old Time Fiddle Contest, sponsored by Shelburne Rotary Club.

Linsey and Tyler Beckett will take the stage in the Centre Dufferin Recreation Complex (Shelburne Arena) at 7:30 p.m.

Back by popular demand after thrilling audiences in 2014, the Beckett Family is sure to get toes tappin’ with their arrangements of traditional country music and old tyme fiddling. Their show captures the corners of traditional music from Western Swing to Bluegrass, includes exhilarating step dancing, down home humour, old time fiddling and special guests.

They will have three recordings available, “Fiddlin’ 4 Generations,” which included great grandpa, Elmer Beckett, “Changing Times”, and their latest, “The Roots of Our Raising.”

Since graduating from Business Honours Administration in 2009, Tyler has worked with several musical artists, including the award winning bluegrass group, The Chapman’s. Tyler has also established himself as a valued multi-instrumentalist, playing with Jason McCoy on a recent Canadian Service Tour to Afghanistan, and performing with CCMA winners Jason Blaine and Tara Oram.  Along with his busy music career, Tyler has enhanced his career path and has joined SunLife Financial in Owen Sound, where he specializes in Insurance and Investments.

Linsey has completed her degree of Geography and Music at Wilfrid Laurier University, and performs regularly with a variety of musical groups. In 2009, Linsey began working with the international string production, Bowfire. Her involvement in Bowfire has led to many exciting opportunities, such as performances with the Houston, Calgary and Colorado Symphonies, Sean Connery’s 80th Birthday celebration in the Bahamas, and on the runway of New York Fashion Week’s Dressed to Kilt.

The Canadian Open Old Time Fiddle Contest starts with the playdowns on Friday at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the arena. Classes that will compete in the afternoon include the 9 and under, 10–12 and 56-and-over. The evening will feature the open and novelty classes.

The contest finals will take place on Saturday at 6 p.m. and feature the crowning of the Canadian Open and Open Junior champions, entertainment, and the judges’ showcase.

Kelli Trottier, along with bandmates Andy Thompson and Jerry Clancy, will be performing Saturday afternoon and evening (3:15 p.m. and 6 p.m.).

As usual, the five-day festival will include camping at the large Fiddle Park on the town’s outskirts, a big Fiddle Parade Saturday and a non-denominational church service in the arena on Sunday.

All arena event tickets can be purchased at Holmes Appliances, 135 Main Street West, Shelburne or at the arena before the event. All other event tickets can be purchased at the event venue before the event.

Ticket Prices: Event Package (Thurs. eve., Fri. all day, Sat. aft. and eve.) adults $50, youth (12  and under) $22; Beckett Family Show, adults: $25, youth $10; Friday Playdowns, adults $10, youth $3; Fiddle/Stepdance Show Saturday at 3:15 p.m., adults $7, youth free; Fiddle Championship, adults: $25, youth $10.

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