The 5th annual Far North Fiddle Fest starts today and runs through Saturday, with events including music workshops, a community discussion on caregiver and compassion fatigue, a folk concert, an open community jam session and a hospice benefit concert.
The festival is hosted by the Fairbanks Hospital Foundation. Guest artists include internationally acclaimed musicians performing various styles of instrumental and vocal music. The April Verch Band features April Verch, a world-champion fiddler, step-dance and singer. Her dynamic band plays an irresistible blend of Celtic, jazz, fold and bluegrass music. Also performing will be Còig, a Celtic group from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. Còig is an ensemble of East Coast musicians and one of Cape Breton’s most captivating young bands. Rounding out the 2015 event are The Paperboys, a Canadian folk music band from Vancouver that formed in 1991. The Paperboys will keep the audience hopping with their unique blend of country, Celtic folk, bluegrass and soul music.
Community lecture and jam session
Jane Barton will present “Last Call for Care,” a free community lecture and discussion on caregiving and compassion fatigue. The discussion is 7 p.m. today at Ivory Jacks, 2581 Goldstream Road. Following Barton’s discussion, the April Verch Band will give a free performance at 8 p.m., and an open community jam session with the artists begins at 9 p.m.
Workshops
Far North Fiddle Fest workshops are open to community members ages 7 to adult. Classes will be held today and Friday from noon to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Workshops are held at Door of Hope Church, 270 Fairhill Road. Workshop fees are $25 each day or $65 for all three days. Several needs-based scholarship opportunities are available for students attending all three days. Classes are open to all musicians, from beginners to intermediate and advanced players. Interested participants may view the workshop schedule and register for workshops at www.FairbanksHospitalFoundation.com.
Benefit concert
The Far North Fiddle Fest Hospice Benefit Concert will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday in the UAF Davis Concert Hall. Tickets are $25 for adults; $15 for seniors, military and students; and $10 for children. All proceeds for the event benefit FMH Hospice Services. Tickets are available at www.FairbanksHospitalFoundation.com or at the door beginning at 6 p.m. on Saturday. Fiddle Fest is presented by the Fairbanks Hospital Foundation and Fairbanks Cancer Care Physicians, P.C. A full event schedule is available at www.FairbanksHospitalFoundation.com.