This session is open to all fiddlers, players of kindred instruments, and appreciative listeners. No dues to pay for this meeting. No need to register.

Looking ahead, our next three meetings will be held in the back room at the Atlantic Bar & Grill (5062 N Lincoln Ave). The meeting time will be 6:30 on a Sunday evening. The dates are October 24, November 21 and December 12.

Vesta Johnson, a fine Missouri fiddler, along with her grandson Steve Hall, will be our featured guest. There’s a wood floor at the Atlantic. We might dance a few old-time Missouri squares. That will make Vesta feel at home.

Come join us.

Paul Tyler, convener

Kenny Stone will join us at Fiddle Club of the World at the Leadway Bar & Gallery on Sunday, January 24 at 4 pm.

Mark your calendars. It’s on.

Paul Tyler, convener

1st place was awarded to Los Pichardos, a family band from Chicago and Oak Park, with Victor Pichardo on vihuela, his sons Yahvi on guitarra de golpe and Zacbe on arpa grande, and daughter Gabriela on fiddle. The lead fiddler is Juan Rivera, a native of the Tierra Caliente in the state of Michoacan, home of the style of music known as Son Planeco. The dancers were Serafin Guevara and his daughter, Andrea.

2nd Place went to Dr. Hojka’s Medicine Show with the Chicago Prairie Cloggers. The band featured Jordan Wankoff (of the Old Town School fiddle faculty) and Michelle Steinman on fiddles and Walter Hojka (also an Old Town School fiddle instructor) on keyboards. The Chicago Prairie Cloggers were organized for the occasion by Dr. Rebecca Unger from regulars at the Monday night dance sponsored by the Chicago Barn Dance Company.

3rd Place went to the Orpheus Hellenic Folklore Society. The three young fiddlers in the band included Itzaki Metropoulos, who took 1st in the Youth Division of our fiddle championship just a couple of years ago. The band also included a santur (hammered dulcimer) and a duf (a frame drum).

Here are links to more videos of the contest, all shot from the point of view of the emcee, who was on the stage. The sound is not so good. But it’s a great place to watch.

1st Los Pichardos

2nd Dr. Hojka’s Medicine Show

3rd Orpheus Hellenic Folklore Society

4th Anne Hatfield (of the Hatfield Sisters) & friends

5th The Fiddler & the Hoofer (Rick Veras & Reggio McLaughlin)

What talent we have in our city.
Paul Tyler, convener

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Also, check out the Fiddler’s Picnic this Sunday, June 8th. It’s hosted by the Folklore Society at the University of Chicago. The whole event runs from 12 noon till 6 in the Hutchinson Commons Courtyard. Here’s a map. Jam sessions are open to all players. The featured guest is fiddler and banjoist extraordinaire, Dan Gellert. No time posted for his concert, but the best guess is sometime around 3 pm.

The small stuff (not to be sweated).

The 6th Annual Midwest Fiddle Championship is fast approaching, and the online entry form has not yet been linked. IT promises me it will be there by this Friday (June 6). Paper registration forms can also be found at the Old Town School of Folk Music or at Seman Violins. Register by July 1st.

And IT is also promising to set a link on Fiddle Club website that will enable you to subscribe to an RSS feed. I’m not yet clear how that works (I’m not even sure if that’ the right acronym), but it will notify you when something new goes up on this blog. Stay posted.

Paul Tyler, convener

Visit this website regularly to learn tunes in preparation for the next jam session, and to keep up with Fiddle Club news and events.

Dues for the Fiddle Club of the World are $12 per meeting. To become a member register for the meetings by clicking this link for Workshops (the link on on the left sidebar also works) and search for the name of the featured guest. or You may also register by visiting the Old Town School of Folk Music at 4544 Lincoln Ave. or 909 W. Armitage in Chicago, or by calling 773.728.6000. or When you register for a workshop you become a member of the Fiddle Club of the World, and your name goes on a list allowing entrance to that meeting of the Fiddle Club.

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