Barn Dance start of Fiddle Championship

August 17, 2015 · 0 Comments

There were 24 performers at this years Barn Dance/Jamboree, held at the Centre Dufferin Recreation Complex (CDRC) Wednesday night, kicking off the 65th Annual Canadian Open Old Time Fiddle Championship.
The Shelburne Rotary Club along with help from volunteers Greg and Heather Holmes, of Holmes Appliances and Music Shop help to organize the 2nd Annual Barn Dance/Jamboree which also included a square dance.
Musicians arrived and signed up for a performance spot upon arrival. Each person was then able to perform only two songs each, as they sign up list was completely full in no time at all. The back-up band, The Brewery Boys, which consists of Greg Holmes, Brent Eby, Warren Snell, Ian Leith and Larry Johnston assisted all the performers and the dance floor was full at all times.
Closer to the end of the evening Square Dance caller Morley Batt took the mic and had about sixty-four dancers take to the floor to follow his directions. The role of a caller in square dancing is not only to provide the dance steps which all of the dancers on the floor should be able to follow, but also to provide entertainment through a combination of factors, including programming, showmanship, singing ability, and challenging choreography.
Part of the entertainment factor can come from the caller’s use of “patter” which is a set of rhyming words and rhythms that complement the names of the dance steps being called. Patter can not only be entertaining because it is innovative and surprising, but it can also fill in the space between lengthy dance patterns, helping boost up the energy during potentially dull moments.
Needless to say a wonderful time was had by all that attended and its nice to see this event growing. To all that will follow on the stage this weekend we wish you the best of luck and as they say in show business “break a leg”.

By Michelle Austen