Arts and Culture
First event since COVID welcomed musicians to Kelowna
A local event shared the love of toe-tapping tunes for the first time since the pandemic.
The third Kelowna Fiddle Fest welcomed master fiddlers from across the province and prairies for concerts, workshops, and more.
“The fiddlers have been in Kelowna for over 35 years and they’re part of BC Old Time Fiddlers,” Vic Ukrainetz from the Kelowna division told Kelowna10. “Prince George is where it started, and it’s gone across the province.”
Ukrainetz said the music is played on a standard tuned violin and it’s referred to as ‘fiddling around.’
“Back in the day they played mainly by ear, today, we’re using notes and it’s more sophisticated,” he explained. “We’re being taught and trained how to properly handle a violin and they’re better today overall.”
Ukrainetz has been playing the fiddle since he was 10 years old and represented B.C. in Ottawa for some competitions. He said it’s been challenging getting young people into playing the instrument but events like Fiddle Fest are important.
“It’s awareness to keep fiddling alive, and the fun it can be,” he said. “The fiddling club here entertains at the seniors home and it’s important because it brings back memories to them of what they did when they were younger at these dances.”
One of the musicians playing the event was Manitoba-born Grand North American Champion and master Metis fiddler, Alex Kusturok.
“Where I live now in Northern Alberta, people jig and dance lots,” he said. “You can’t play the fiddle in front of a Metis without having them up to dance, it’s a beautiful thing.”
Kusturok grew up competing, but said he was more excited about jamming with his friends and going to after parties.
“It was a way to get together to play and hang out,” he explained. “The fiddle is used for dancing… it’s just a different type of music.”
Published 2022-09-04 by Jordan Brenda and Connor Chan
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