Jay The Fiddler
For the Love of Fiddle.

guitar guitar guitar Edmonton

Safe Arrival

Kyle, Siobhan and himself.

I am here and living the life. Direct flight from Vancouver to Dublin. 8 1/2 hours in the air. Spent a long time convincing the customs man that I was not here to work, that I had a return ticket and work to come home too and that I earn no money playing in pubs ( do you include free pints?). 2 lovely sunny days here and it is green! Was at the Crane Bar on Saturday playing with Michael Chan and 200 others. Met Tommy McCarthy, https://www.facebook.com/tommy.mccarthy.58

He played with Arcady at the Edmonton Festival in 1993. He sat in for a couple of tunes.

Sunday I was at the Salthouse for 2 Americana sessions and met up with fellow Canadian Kyle from Saltspring Island and we talked for several hours about hockey and why the Canucks suck! (haha). His friend Siobhan from Dublin patiently indulging us.  A great night all in all. Finished it off with the small curry chip from Vinnie’s (our tradition.)

Deep Freeze Byzantine Festival!

It’s January Fun! Come see us play

http://www.deepfreezefest.ca/

2019 DEEP FREEZE: BYZANTINE WINTER FESTIVAL

Venue Address# 1: Hearth (9210 118 Ave)
Date of Performance: Saturday, January 12, 2019
Time of Performance:2:00 PM – 2:45 PM
Venue Address#2: Pavilion (91 St & 118 Ave) — Kitchen Party
Date of Performance: Saturday, January 12, 2019
Time of Performance:3:00 PM – 3:45 PM
Venue Address# 3: Igloo (92 St. & north of 118 Ave)
Date of Performance: Saturday, January 12, 2019
Time of Performance:5:00 PM – 5:45 PM

New Hip!

On November 29th 2018 Dr. Donald Glasgow replaced my right hip which had previously been shattered in 2013 in a bicycle collision with a van. It’s been 11 days and I am already enjoying the benefits!!

No Ireland This Year :(

Instead of my annual 4 week visit to Ireland to enjoy the wonderful people, music, Guinness & scenery I will be staying put in Edmonton and preparing for an upcoming hip replacement. Sad to break with tradition but my mobility is very limited (I use a cane all the time) and I am trying to get my blood glucose numbers down. I look forward to my next visit in good health when I will easily walk from Renmore to Eyre Square or up the Pound Road.

Come enjoy some fiddling at National Parks Day

Georgia and I will perform 2-45 minute sets tomorrow at Elk Island Park. Sets are at 1:00pm & 3:00pm at Astotin Lake Recreation Area Stage at the north end of the park. Regular National Park admission applies.

Fun Family Event Saturday May 12, 2018

Georgia and I will be playing a free family event in Spruce Grove Saturday May 12th.
It is in the McLaughlin neighbourhood.
We are performing from noon – 4 pm.
On offer are horse and wagon rides, a food truck, old fashioned candy stand, old fashioned photo booth (with old west costumes) a playground and Live Music!
Everything is free as it is a Melcor event to promote their homes.
To McLaughlin
• Take Yellowhead to Jennifer Heil, take exit and head South
• Turn left on Nelson Drive
• Turn Right at McLaughlin Drive, the event will be on held in this area

Family Day at Elk Island National Park

Georgia and I will be performing from noon to 4:00pm on Monday February 9th.

Please come out and enjoy a fun day in this great national Park.

 

Elk Island National Park hosts an annual Family Day event focused on enhancing quality family time and experiences within the national park. Elk Island strives to enhance the visitor experience at its Family Day celebration by providing a musical performance in the Astotin Lake Recreation Area.
All activities are free of charge to visitors with a valid park pass.
Event Background:
Elk Island National Park (EINP) will host a winter-themed Family Day event on February 19th, 2018 from 12 PM to 4 PM. The wintery event will feature music, campfire snacks, skating on Astotin Lake, snow activities and games, interpretive programming, and snowshoeing (snowshoes available to rent). A food truck will also be on site.

Deep Freeze Fest 2018

Come see Georgia & myself this Sunday on Alberta Avenue, Edmonton.

2018​ ​DEEP​ ​FREEZE:​ ​BYZANTINE​ ​WINTER​ ​FESTIVAL
Venue Address #1​: Hearth (9210 118 Ave)
Date of Performance: Sunday, January 14, 2018
Time of Performances: 2:00 – 2:45 pm
Venue Address #2​: New Moon Pavilion Kitchen Jam (91 St & 118 Ave)
Date of Performance: Sunday, January 14, 2018
Time of Performances: 3:00 – 3:45 pm
Venue Address #3​: Igloo/Northern Lights Beer Garden (North of 118 Ave in the Giant
Igloo)
Date of Performance: Sunday, January 14, 2018
Time of Performances: 4:15 – 5:00 pm

The Fest also runs Saturday when the theme is French Canadian culture.

http://www.deepfreezefest.ca/

Oh yeah, it’s free!

Finn Harper

I met Finn when he was 7 in 1996. He eventually took up the box and played in bnads – toured Europe and North America, wen to U Limerick for a degree in Trad music. Ten this year he started to sketch Irish musicians. And in 7 monthes his career has exploded. One look at the detail and you’ll see why.

Matt Molloy by Finn Harber

His beautiful work can be seen here.

Finn Harper Facebook

He had an exhibition in the River Island Hotel, Castleisland during the Patrick O’Keeffe festival. I called in on him Saturday afternoon for a lovely chat.

Ballaghaderreen

It’s Thursday so we hit the road for Spell’s bar in Ballaghaderreen to see Neil Spells and play with P.J. Hernon. An altogether mighty session that included Jay Kerins on bongos, Philomena on piano and guitar, Jim O’Donnell on fiddle. So they played the Anthem at 12:15 – the ending tune. Then 10 minutes later the music started again – the 2nd session. so much fun. Neil dropped us off at the Spellman’s motel. Two Irih fries for breakfast!

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