World Fiddle Day, aka National Fiddling Day, was held at the St. Norbert Farmers Market on Saturday, May 21st.

The Southglen Fiddlers started their hour long performance by playing "Canada's Fiddling Day Two Step", composed by Kelli Trottier last year, in honour of this day. The Norman Chief Memorial Dancers followed and entertained the crowd accompanied by their band. The crowd enjoyed the music of many of Manitoba's fiddlers at the following Jam Session.
 
Thank you to the St. Norbert Farmer's Market for helping us celebrate this day!

The Southglen Fiddlers are a group of mostly (but not all!) retired seniors who enjoy playing “old-time” dance music. If you have tapped your toes to the music of Andy Dejarlis or Don Messer, then you know the kind of music we play.

We volunteer our time to entertain at over-55 residences, nursing homes and schools in the greater Winnipeg area … at Festival du Voyageur events … and at old-time dances throughout south central Manitoba.

Over 40 strong, we meet weekly on alternate Thursdaymornings and Saturday afternoons to practice our programs and socialize (except during the summer and Christmas/New Year Season). We meet in the St. Mary Magdalene Church hall at 3 St. Vital Road in St. Vital. Our current practice schedule is:
Thursday mornings (9:30-12:00): Jan. 28, Feb. 25,March 31
Saturday afternoons (1:00-4:00): Feb. 6, Mar. 12, 26

Whether you are classically trained or “play by ear”, we welcome new members, 18 to 88, who can already play the violin/fiddle or piano, at an intermediate level at least, and would like to join us on stage. If you are such a fiddler or piano-player, give us a call for details … then come on out and give us a try!

• for general info, contact Ian Ross at 204 889-6125 or:imross@mymts.net 
• for membership info, contact Eugene Cherwick at 204 257-3279 or: lcherw@mymts.net 
• for bookings, contact Ed Goletski at 204 256-1498 or:edwardgoletski@ymail.com

- information current as of January 27, 2016

The Inaugural National Fiddling day was held at the St. Norbert Farmers Market on Saturday, May 16th. The Federal Government passed a Bill to designate the third Saturday in May as National Fiddling Day, paying tribute to the country's fiddling heritage. It is held in conjunction with World Fiddle Day.

The Southglen Fiddlers started their performance by playing "Canada's Fiddling Day Two Step" aka "Fiddle Bill". It was composed by Kelli Trottier in honour of this day. Dignitaries were on hand to open the Farmers Market season with the "Cutting of the Fiddle String".

The Norman Chief Memorial Dancers entertained the crowd with their band. Crowds clapped their hands and tapped their toes to the music of many of Manitoba's fiddlers in the following Jam Session.

The Manitoba Fiddle Association held the Wall of Fame Dinner and Induction Ceremonies on Sunday, April 26th at the Carman Community Hall in Carman, MB.

We are proud to announce our 2015 inductees:

Cecil Isliefson - Fiddler (posthumously)
Alvin Clark - Fiddler
Luella Noble - Accompanist
Noreen Pongoski - accompanist

Follow the link to the 2015 Wall of Fame Inductee page for photos.

World Fiddle Day is the one day in the year when all those who play that wide fiddle/violin family of instruments can celebrate. It is celebrated annually on the Saturday closest to May 19th, the anniversary of Antonio Stradivari's passing.

This year's event was held on Saturday, May 17, 2014 at Coronation Park in Winnipeg, Manitoba. We had many fiddlers, guitar players, a base, several dancers, and a whole bunch of listeners out enjoying a beautiful sunny afternoon.

Thank you Patti Lamoureux for making this day a success.

Meadow Lea Hall hosted the sixth annual Ron King Memorial Fiddle Festival on Saturday, May 10, 2014. The event was presented by Warren and District Lions Club and supported by local businesses, government, and individuals. Mark Morisseau entertained before the competition, served as the MC and, with his band, provided the evening dance music. The King Family entertained before supper. The event attracted 30 competitors in the fiddle competition.

The results of the 2013 John Arcand Fiddle Fest are available in the attached file.

World Fiddle Day was founded in 2012 by fiddler and historian Caoimhin Mac Aoidh, from Ireland. It was decided to hold the day on the Saturday in May closest to the 19th, the recorded day of death in 1737 of Antonio Stradivari, the Italian crafter of string instruments.

World Fiddle Day celebrates the family of bowed string instruments in the fiddle or violin family. The event is celebrated worldwide.

Patti Lamoureux, a local fiddling champion and member of the Manitoba Fiddle Association Hall of Fame, organized the local version of the event in Coronation Park in St. Boniface, Winnipeg, Manitoba on Saturday, May 18, 2013.