32ND ANNUAL FIDDLERS FESTIVAL CELEBRATES THREE DECADES OF MUSICAL TRADITION Oct 12

ROXBURY – Roxbury Arts Group announces the 32nd annual Fiddlers! Sunday October 12, 3-7pm.  For over 3 decades this cherished festival has brought fiddlers from near and far together with community, food and fun in honor of beloved local fiddler and square dance caller Hilt Kelly.  This year’s festival features artists Richie and Rosie, an acclaimed Americana group from Trumansburg, NY; Harry Bolick, aka The Mississippi Fiddler; and Five Cent FIreballs, an alt-bluegrass ensemble based in Charlottesville, VA.  In addition to the outstanding musical guests who take to the stage on the hour between 3 and 6pm,  there will be a community jam from 6-7p and food and drink for available purchase (including sampling the apple pie contest entries!) throughout the festival.  Tickets and  information about all the events surrounding  the 32nd annual Fiddlers! are available at www.roxburyartsgroup.org or by calling 607.326.7908.

The festival features three distinctive acts that showcase the rich diversity of American roots and old time music. Richie & Rosie is musical partnership that breathes new life into traditional music while honoring its roots.  Richie Stearns,  whose family founded the iconic GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance in Trumansburg, brings world-class credentials performing with the likes of  Pete Seeger, David Byrne, and Joan Baez, while Rosie Newton combines classical training with folk fiddle mastery. The “magic of their duo”  delivers captivating melodies and an unexpectedly full sound.  Harry Bolick, aka the Mississippi Fiddler, delivers authentic Southern fiddle playing alongside masterful storytelling. Beyond his exceptional skill as a performer, Bolick is a preservationist—documenting fiddle traditions through 14 recordings and two scholarly books that document almost every known Mississippi tune.  Harry’s extensive work has connected his family roots in Carroll County to legendary musicians like "Mississippi" John Hurt and turned these rare musical traditions more familiar at fiddle conventions around the world. Five Cent Fireballs brings alt-bluegrass innovation from Charlottesville, VA, with trio members Malia Furtado (Shenandoah Valley fiddle heritage), Clara George (Oberlin Conservatory graduate who performed at Lilith Fair), and Emma McDowell (North Carolina roots, IBMA Songwriter Showcase alumna) creating instrumental virtuosity with stunning three-part harmonies that seamlessly unites  traditional bluegrass and alternative rock styles.  After the formal performances end, local musicians of all levels are invited to join the artists in a community jam from 6-7.  

Adding to the festival's community charm, an Apple Pie Contest that celebrates local bakers and supports the Roxbury Arts Group.  Pie makers can deliver a pie to the Roxbury Arts Center between 1:30 and 2pm on October 12th and will receive one free festival ticket plus the opportunity to compete for the coveted title of Fiddlers! Apple Pie Champion!  Throughout the festival, there will also be food and beverages available for purchase, creating the perfect setting for families and music lovers to spend a beautiful autumn afternoon. 

Nestled in the western Catskill Mountains, the Roxbury Arts Center's intimate performance space allows audiences to experience these world-class musicians up close and enjoy the festivities while surrounded by the stunning fall foliage of the Catskill Mountains. The festival serves as both a celebration of musical heritage and a testament to the enduring power of community arts programming.

This program is sponsored by Sluiter Agency, Inc.  All programs offered by the Roxbury Arts Group are supported by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the NYS Legislature, the A. Lindsay and Olive B. O’Connor Foundation, the Robinson Broadhurst Foundation, The Community Foundation for South Central New York, the Tianaderrah Foundation, The Delaware National Bank of Delhi, and individual supporters.

Established in 1979, The Roxbury Arts Group is a non-profit multi-arts organization on a mission to infuse the heart of Catskill communities with the power of the arts. Through captivating public performances, inspiring exhibitions, engaging classes, and critical artist support The Roxbury Arts Group has ensured that artists from all walks of life and art lovers of all ages have access to quality programming and opportunities. Join us for an event or program at one of our venues: Roxbury Arts Center, Headwaters Arts Center, and the historic Old School Baptist Church.

 Richie and Rosie (Richie Stearns and Rosie Newton) from Trumansburg, NY