Eighteenth Annual

LONDON FIDDLE CONVENTION

 

london fiddle convention 2007

Sunday 21 February 2010

 

Evening Concert 8.00pm


Workshops - 1.00-2.20 and 4.00-5.20pm (Presented by Pete Cooper,(English Fiddle),Emese Hrsuka (Hungarian Fiddle), Chris Haigh (how to accompany a singer with fiddle),and Bob Winquist (Bluegrass Fiddle))
Tickets - Single Workshop £10/£8 Concessions
Two Workshops - £16/£12 Concessions

Tutors’ Concert 2.40pm – 3.40pm Open to all Workshop participants

At 5:30 PM the open session begins in the bar - all musicians welcome - a chance to try out some of those tunes you've learned in the workshops.

The fiddle contest at 6:00 PM. In two categories - Up to 18 and over 18
Open to all comers. Entrants should play for a maximum of
Five minutes – any piece(s), any style, either solo or with own accompaniment.
Please contact Bob or Pete to guarantee a place in the contest.

Day Pass - (All Events) - £22/£17 Concessions
Children under 12 are admitted free when accompanied by a paying adult
Tickets can be obtained on the day  -  there is no advance booking. 





The Evening Concert begins at 8.00pm, tickets £10/£8.

The evening concert begins at 8:00 PM This year’s guests will include Graham Clark, Richard Bolton, Pete Cooper, Emese Hrsuka, Robin Gillan, Chris Haigh, , Bernard O’Neill, Karen Ryan and Pete Quinn, Bob Winquist and others.


Contact Details:

Enquiries – Bob Winquist 020 83857502
                                    Email – robert.winquist@googlemail.com
                                    Pete Cooper – 020 8340 7760
                                    Email – pete@petecooper.com
Visit www.londonfiddleconvention.co.uk for details

 

 

Cecil Sharp House - 2 Regents Park Road, Camden, NWl 7AY
Website - http//www.efdss.org

Tickets can be obtained on the day - there is no advance booking.

 

 



An article from "Fiddle On" magazine:

 

It was in a chance conversation in 1992, between bassist Bernard O'Neill and mandolinist Dermot O'Connor that the idea of a London Fiddlers' Convention was first mooted. When Dermot rang me and explained the idea I was skeptical to say the least. Ten fiddlers would each be invited to play a ten minute slot in whatever style they wanted, with backing from the "house band" of Bernard along with guitarist Frank Kilkelly. My reservations were that every fiddler was sure to want to be star of the show, was bound to overrun the allotted time, and there would be more infighting than at a Labour Party conference.

To my surprise and delight, when the big night came at the Weavers Arms it was an occasion to remember, and for all the best reasons. There was a tremendous range and depth of fiddle playing, a warm and relaxed atmosphere, no signs of megalomania, and a hugely enthusiastic audience. The "massed fiddles" which opened and closed the evening were a sight to behold!

For the next eight years it ran as an annual event at the Weavers, coordinated by Bernard along with bluegrass supremo Bob Winquist. Almost every conceivable type of fiddle music has been represented, including Irish, Scottish, Jazz, Western Swing, gypsy, Cajun, Klezmer, Indian, Scandinavian and Greek. Some of the highlights have been collaborations and multi-fiddle arrangements, and the old Zumzeaux anthem "Blazing Fiddles" has become a regular favourite.

In 1997 the Weavers Arms closed, a great loss to the whole London music scene, and the Convention moved to Cecil Sharp House, with the welcome addition of afternoon workshops and jam sessions. A slimmed-down, four fiddle of the Convention also happens each Autumn at the Festival Hall Foyer.
If you're a fiddle player, fiddle owner or fiddle fan, it's the only place to be!

Chris Haigh

 


A list of people who've performed at previous conventions:

Sylvia Hallett

Ashley Reed

Rick Townend

Mateus

Bob Winquist

Robin McKidd

George Kaye

Tim Kliphuis

Olly Blanchflower

Bernard O'Neill

Alan Dunn

Graeme Taylor

Cedric Thorose

Chris Wood

Frank Kilkelly

Theresa Heaneu

NetiVaan

Tony Moffatt

Bobby Valentino

Pete Cooper

Pierre LeRue

Anne Wood

Dave Wright

Chris Haigh

Johnny Van Derrick

Sean Smith

Miriam Kavenagh

Barry Wickens

Jenny Gardiner

Alice Gwinnell

Richard Collins

Joe Giltrap

Dermott O'Connor

Karen Ryan

Pete Quinn

Kate Lissauer

Joe Locker

Robin Gillam

Richard Bolton

Steve Moffatt

Naomi Anner

Ian Pressland

Ade Ward

Laurel Swift

Mary Ward Fiddle Band

Joe Townsend

Kate Hands

Kubryk Townsend

Tymon Dogg

Sarah Harrison

Igor Outkine

Freddie Smith


 

The London Fiddle Convention is sponsored by:

hobgoblin

ted brewer violins

sandarac

sonic violins logo

bridgewood and nietzert

thwaites



Chris Haigh is a freelance fiddle player based in London; he has had lots of experience in almost all types of fiddle music including British, Celtic, American, East European and jazz styles. He works with a number of different regular bands and frequently assembles "custom" bands for particular gigs. He is also a session player and composer.

Telephone 020 85343887 or 07759 680533

Email me : Chris@fiddlingaround.co.uk


 

 

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