No, seriously, all violin strings are 10% off with the mention of this ad from now until FiddleFest is over.  The same goes for rosin and shoulder rests.

• Is your bow looking a little thin?  Come on in and have it rehaired before the festival for only $45.
• Need to be amplified?  Come on in and try out “The Band” violin pickup.  It is a wrap-around pickup on sale for $150 (regular price is $175) until Fiddlefest ends.
• Need a little colour in your life?  Come in and try out the Harlequin fiddles.  They cost only $225 (regular price is $240) for the whole outfit and come with a coloured bow.  They come in a rainbow of colours:  Deep Purple, Silver Grey, Marine Blue, Green, Black, Red and Raspberry Pink.  They are handcarved from solid tonewoods with rosewood pegs, chinrest, and a tailpiece with 4 fine tuners.

These specials won’t last forever, so stop fiddling about (sorry, I couldn’t resist) and get in here before the fiddle magic is gone.  July 10th is the last day to act on these great deals, so don’t delay.

Thanks
Anne.

We would like to thank the sponsors of the FiddleFest event:

Charlie Argall for a beautiful collector’s tin of Ernie Ball strings that will be raffled off at $2/ticket.

Counterpoint Music for a donation of scholarship money.

Old Time Fiddle Club for scholarships as well.

To make a donation to go towards a child’s musical education come on in and see us at Ryson’s Music before the FiddleFest.

You won’t want to miss them at Fiddlefest;

The 3rd Annual Car Show, Fiddlefest and Step Dancing competition will be held July 10th in Downtown St. Catharines.  Come out to a fun day with many activities.  People are coming from all over Ontario to compete.  One participant is in town from Brussels to visit family and wants to be a part of the fun.  There will be a barbeque put on by the Silver Spire Church.

Mostly Comics will be featuring a SuperHero day with costumes and great deals.  Come and get your picture taken with the largest Incredible Hulk I’ve ever seen.

Over 300 antique cars and trucks will be parked throughout St. Paul street.  There are bouncy castles for the kids, entertainment by Marty Allan and the Good Rockin’ Tonight band, a street dance from 4-6 pm, square dancing with a real caller, and performances from the Golden Hammers as well as the Rock’n Daisies.

Applications for the fiddle and step dancing contests are available at Ryson’s Studios.  Come out and have a Fiddlin’ Good Time!

The third annual Fiddlefest and Car show will be held July 10th at the Silverspire Church 366 St. Paul St. St. Catharines.

There will be:

• Great Prizes
• Over 300 cars
• Childrens’ activities
• Certificates and prize money for fiddling and stepdancing.

Once again there we’ll have lots of entertainment, barbecues. ,buskers, and sidewalk sales.  You can even have your picture taken with the “Incredible Hulk” and many other super heros as well.

A Street Dance will follow the Fiddle/Stepdancing Contest.

We hope you’ll come and join our party in the “Garden City”.  Hey, we’re just a 15 minute drive to Niagara Falls and we’re right in the middle of Niagara Wine Country so if you’re coming from out of town, you might want to make plans to stay overnight.

This promises to be a great outing for you and your family.

Entry Fees for the Fiddle Contest are $12.00.  You can get applications available at Rysons Studio 5 Court St.  or Click to dowload one here.  They’re  also available at the DownTown Association  .

This year Rysons Music store has donated a beautiful solid maple and mahogany Dulicmer prize to raise scholarship funds.
Tickets will be $2.00 each and 3 for $5.00.

Good luck to all the entries it will be drawn at Fiddlefest.

We’re really looking forward to FiddleFest 2010 and hope that you’ll join in the fun!

See you then!
Anne.

I’d like to thank all of the contestants for participating in the event. I hope everyone had a good time.

Part of the sponsored proceeds went toward scholarships for the students.

Here are some of the recipients;

Christopher Lortie
Amanda Botts
Alexander George
Grace Barnhart
George Bartram
Gaetan Poirier
Michael Mattie
Brianna Mattie
Evelyn and Kristen Walsh
Beth Bartley
Katie Lorfamann
Rachelle Jenkins
Cassandra Swan.
Connor and Brennon Doherty
and many more…

This event would not have taken place and certainly wouldn’t be successful if it weren’t for all of the wonderful people listed below.

Special thanks to all our sponsors.

D’Addario
Counterpoint
Kay Annable
David Tufford
Rysons Music Studio
Downtown Association
George Bartram
Web Traffic Solutions
Old Time Fiddle Club

Thanks to our terrific judges:

Mr. Mathew Johnson Ray LaMarsh, and Wally Knash.

I’d also like to thank these wonderful folks for their contribution;

• Mark Clifford did an excellent job as our sound engineer.
• Kelly Buckley our bag piper, (who also plays a variety of instruments for weddings and private parties), played a lovely tune for our soldiers who are overseas .
• Mr. Mike Saunders from 610 radio and to our Deputy Mayor Mr. Peter Secord for their fine words of encouragement.
• A Special round of applause goes to the radio stations such as 103.7fm, Newstalk 610 CKTB, 105.7 EZ ROCK, 97.7 HTZ-FM, CJRN 710, GIANT 91.7 Tv. Cogeco and CHCH and to the newspapers; St. Catharines Standard and Welland Tribune.
• A great thank you and hello to the fiddle groups like St. Catharines, Old Tilme Fiddlers Group , Tavistock, Group Fiddle L .Fiddle Folk. Fiddle “Crazy and to all the fiddle clubs who helped promote the Downtown Fiddlefest and Classic Car show.
• Special gratitude to Webtrafficsolutions.ca for all their promotion of the event and to Murray McFadgen for all his time spent on videos for the event.
• My sincere appreciation to Silver Spire and Minister Roseanne Vita and Peter and Jean Price and all the members who open their hearts and doors to us in our time of need due to the storm so that we could start fiddlefest and for their wonderful barbecue and great hospitality.
• Ryson’s group The Golden Hammers who gave us an excellent performance.

A big bouquet to all my helpers Brenda McFadgen, Niki, Royna, Shirley Rouse, Beth Bartley, Natasha , and Debbie and to all the members of the Downtown Association who have worked very hard for the community.

Congratulations to all the contestants and we hope to see you back again next year for our third annual Fiddlefest.

Ainsley is a great little fiddler, and I’m sure she’ll master her new guitar very guickly.

Congratulations  Ainsley

There will be antique cars and great entertainment, including Good Rockin To-night with David Tufford and Marty Allen, Ryson’s Golden Hammers and our new Ryson’s all girl band, Taking Care of Business Daisy Chicks.

D’Addario of Canada  has donated a Beaver Creek Back Packer guitar and bag  for our raffle draw.
Tickets for the draw are 5.00 each and all of the proceeds will help sponsor scholarships for our fiddle and stepdancing students.

In addition to D’Addario, I’d like to thank Counterpoint Music, Kay Annable, The Old Tyme Fiddlers Club, and some private individuals for helping to sponsor students and keep fiddling and stepdancing vibrant.

The Silver Spire Church will be providing a barbecue at Fiddlefest.

The downtown association will be suppling inflatables for children ,stage, tents, chairs, and the many beautiful collectible automobile

This promises to be a great outing for you and your family.

Don’t forget to Buy you ticket for the Beaver Creek Back Packer  Guitar which is on display at Ryson’s.

Donations for scholarships to support students are always welcome.  Just contact us at Rysons Studio 5 Court St. St. Catharines.

We hope you’ll come out and join us at Fiddlefest.

Anne.

The event will be held on July 11th.
Bring your fiddle, dancing shoes, energy and enthusiasm for a fun filled day.

The St. Catharines Downtown Association and Ryson’s Studio have planned a fantastic Car Show complete with car hoppers , jump offs and a Fiddle and Step Dancing Contest.

There will be food, refreshments, draws, prizes, and lots of entertainment which will include the ever popular Rysons young rock group, “The Golden Hammers”.

Vintage Cars will be parked all over the main streets of Downtown and the Fiddle Fest will take place at the Silver Spire 366 St. Paul’s Street.(formerly St. Pauls United Church). This is also where refreshments and a barbecue is going to be held.

Last year over 5000 people attended and many people received prizes, certificates, trophies, and memories of a great day!

The Fiddlefest and Car Show attracted people from all over to to Niagara, not only to participate in the festivities but stay to experience our wineries, camp grounds, fine restaurants, Welland Canal , shopping malls, and of course Niagara Falls.

The Downtown Association with Trisha, Liz and Megan, have brochures and lots of information regarding St. Catharines, re. accomodations or tours etc. They can be reached 905 685-8424.

For Fiddle Fest Information please call Anne at Rysons 905 682-6832 or email anne@rysonsmusic.com

Entries for Fiddle Fest and Step dancing are to be sent to Rysons United Studio of Music:
5 Court Street
St. Catharines
L2R4R3
905 682=6832 or 905 682-7219

Applications are available at Rysons as well.

Entry fees for the competition are $12.00 each, or $20.00 for two participants. Duets are $15.00

Companies and sponsors are welcome to donate to the future of these young people to increase the scholarship money so they can continue with their education and give us the pleasure of their performances.
Donations will be posted in brochures and also on the certificates so they can thank you personally. Your kindness and generosity is greatly appreciated and I give my thanks and blessings for supporting these young peoples goals and dreams!

Categories:
Class 300: 7 years & under fiddle
Class 301: 9 years & under fiddle
Class 302: 12 years & under fiddle
Class 303: Step dancing 1o years & under
Class 304: 14 years & under fiddling
Class 305: 16 years & under
Class 306: 18 years & under

Fiddle Class 307: 19-44
Fiddle Class 308: 45-64
Fiddlers Class 309: 65 and over

Fiddlers Open Class

Stepdancing Class 310: 12 years & under
Stepdancing Class 311: 14 years & under
Stepdancing Class 312: 16 years & under
Stepdancing Class 313: 18 years & under
Stepdancing: 19-44

Stepdancing: if needed other classes may be added due to age.

Duets Classes will be decided by age of contestants by committee.

Highest mark of the Day Category

RULES FOR FIDDLE FEST AND STEP DANCING

• Entrants must play Waltz, Jig and Reel Time limit is 4 minutes. There is no penalty for less or more, but if it is over 4 minutes, only up to the 4 minutes will be judged for the fiddle player.
• A piano will be supplied for contestant .
• Fiddlers may bring own accompaniment.
• Duet classes must play a waltz and a tune of their own choice, within 3 minutes.
• Judges will score competitors out of 100 points.
• Points will be award as follows, Old Time Style , timing, tone, accuracy, harmony and bowing in the duet category.

Stepdancing Constestants

• Must dance a clog jig and reel in that order without stopping.
• Step dancing 4 minute maxium.There will be no penalty by a judge after the bell sounds.
• Eight years under step dance is reguired to dance, clog, jig or reel of their choice. one only.
• Group Step Dancing 3 to 6 people time 5 minuted .

Consestants may enter both Fiddle and Step Dance Classes, subject to rules .

Pre-Registration by mail is available for Fiddle and Step Dancing send to;
Rysons Music Studio
5 Court Street
St. Catharines, Ontario L2R4R3

Come and join us for our great day of fiddling, dancing, and lots of fun and meet and greet friends and associates!

Remember Scholarships for young students are important for their future to keep them playing. Scholarships are usually 25.00 dollars 50,0o dollars 75.00 and 100.00 . Please choose one of the categories and we will be sure that you get a receipt and a lot of recognition for your kindness and support .