Fiddling youngsters

The Wolfville-based Fiddlesticker’s debut recording, Pass it On, will be launched with a CD release concert this month. A special guest appearance is planned by Chad Wolfe, a step dancer/fiddler from North Bay, Ontario.

He was 1991 Junior Canadian Stepdance champion, 2001 Ontario Step-dance Champion and then North Eastern United States Champion.

All concert and CD proceeds are geared, says Christy Hodder, to sending the Fiddlestickers to the ECMAs in 2009.

The 12 talented, young Fiddlestickers of the Annapolis Valley have just recorded their debut CD and it “features many amazing fiddle guests who perform with the Fiddlestickers,” their instructor said.

Their inspirations playing with them include: Stan Chapman, Gordon Stobbe, Christy Hodder, Kim Holmes, Troy MacGillivray, Jennifer Roland and Glenn Graham.

“Some of the original tunes on the disc are from their Gaelic College step teacher Jean MacNeil, mother of the Bara MacNeils, and Glen Graham’s uncle, Kinnon Beaton. There is even an original jig by one of the Fiddlestickers,” she said.

Made for Highland and step dancers, as well as just for listening, this CD “has so much variety. You will enjoy fast reels, snappy Strathspeys, toe-tapping jigs and a version of Lover’s Waltz by Jay Unger, which they learned at the Deep Roots festival last year. It is one of the most beautiful versions of it to be recorded,” added Hodder.



Chad Wolfe is coming as a special guest to the CD release concert, said Hodder. “He will dazzle with his fast feet as he step dances, fiddles and both at the same time with Kimberly Holmes on the key board. The concert will also include Highland dancer Emily MacMillan from Windsor and ballerina Katherine Mewett from Ontario.



All proceeds from the CD sales and the concert go to sending the Fiddlestickers to ECMAs in 2009.



Chad will be giving advanced step and different level fiddle workshops Saturday, Dec 1. Contact Hodder for more information at 542-3416.

The concert is set for Friday, Nov. 30 at the Al Whittle Theatre in Wolfville at 7 p.m. Advanced tickets are $14 from Just Us Coffee in Wolfville or $15 at the door.

Living legend

Tony Cox, one of South Africa’s living musical treasures, will perform at the Evergreen Theatre Friday, Nov. 9. Born in Zimbabwe, this award-winning, Johannesburg-based guitarist and recording artist has over the years developed legendary status throughout his homeland.

Although hard to describe but easy to appreciate and uniquely beautiful, Cox’s music is a mosaic that incorporates all of the evocative and infectious rhythms, delicate patterns and varying styles of his homeland, along with classical, folk and many other influences. He demonstrates a complete mastery of the ‘finger-style’ of playing, where the right hand works with precision to weave a tapestry of textures.

Gallery Opening

The Ross Creek Centre’s gallery is presenting Dead of Night by artist Nick Rudnicki. Dead of Night is the most recent incarnation of his passionate pursuit of photographic work. This body of work looks at the detailed studies of the city.



The exhibit runs until Dec. 20. Regular gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Weekends by appointment or chance.



Ross Creek has a Family Arts Sunday planned for Dec. 9. Activities will run from 1 – 4 p.m. The second annual Artisan Sale and a festive afternoon of Christmas carols, cookies and cider, complete with tree lighting. This event will focus on holiday projects. This year, the centre would like to contribute to the community and ask all that visit to along a food item for Glooscap Elementary School’s Breakfast Club.

Black Hen Recording Artist From Winnipeg

Cara Luft will release her new recording The Light Fantasic Nov. 10 at the Union St. Café, Berwick.

The Light Fantastic is her sophomore solo album and a follow up to her first full-length album in 2000, “Tempting The Storm".

After her debut was nominated for Outstanding Roots Recording at The Prairie Music Awards, Cara went on to co-found the The Wailin' Jennys in 2002, touring extensively and recording two albums including the Juno-Award winning "40 Days" (Best Roots Recording). She left the trio in late 2004 to return to her own writing and solo career and The Light Fantastic is the result.

See Sister Amnesia

A musical comedy by Dan Goggin, Sister Amnesia's Country Western Nunsense Jamboree is presented as a promotional tour for Sister Mary Amnesia's newly released album, I Could've Gone to Nashville.

CentreStage Theatre regulars say this show is filled with hysterical one-liners and infectious comic tunes. Audiences get to participate in a rousing country Auction and join with the cast as they sing We know that somewhere up in heaven you're a saint, Patsy Cline.

Will Sister Amnesia leave the convent for the Grand Ole Op'ry? You'll have to wait till the finale, Do Unto Others, to get the answer. You say you're not a country music fan? Don't worry, this country music is Nunsense-style of theatre that is guaranteed to please.

This Kentville musical is directed by Stephen Abbass, and stars: Sharon Churchill, Ross Chapman, Donna Holmes, Angie Campbell, and Jillian MacDonald. It will be on Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m. from Nov. 2nd until Dec. 15, with a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday, Dec. 9. Phone 678-8040 for reservations. Further details can be found on: www.centrestagetheatre.ca www.centrestagetheatre.ca

Fundy Film

Fundy Film continues its Autumn Edge Series with The Wind That Shakes the Barley, winner of the prestigious Palme d’Or at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival.

In English and Irish Gaelic with English subtitles, it will screen Nov. 11 at 4 and 7 p.m. For further information, see www.fundyfilm.ca or call 542-5157. Tickets ($8) are available 30 minutes prior to the film.

Coming up

Nov. 10

Cara Luft & Hugh MacMillan, Union St. Café, Berwick

I’ll Be Seeing You Again, St. Joseph’s Church, Kentville 7:30 p.m.

Concert & Jam Dance, Anglican hall, Wolfville 8 p.m.

Nov. 10 – 11

Ron James, Festival Theatre, Wolfville, 8 p.m.

Nov. 15

The Merry Widow, Performing Arts Series, Festival Theatre, Wolfville, 8 p.m.

Nov. 15

The Doughwrights in concert, Berwick Lions hall, 2 p.m.

Until Nov. 20

George Walford/Untitled, Harvest Gallery, Wolfville

Nov. 27

Jimmy Rankin & Nathan Wiley, Festival Theatre, Wolfville