Islanders looking to book a venue for community events and performances will soon have access to a comprehensive listing of small halls in Prince Edward Island, thanks to a 30th Anniversary special project of the PEI Fiddlers Society.
The Society, with funding from the Department of Communities, Cultural Affairs and Labour, is working to compile an inventory of small halls and performance spaces in communities throughout the province. When complete, the listing will be available to the public.
“I want to congratulate the PEI Fiddlers Society for their work on this project,” said Hon. Carolyn Bertram, Minister of Communities, Cultural Affairs and Labour. “Having a list of community venues will help create and promote music and performance opportunities for Island artists and will enable operators of small halls to work together. Island communities, artists and audiences will all benefit.”
Work to identify and list all small halls is already inspiring other groups who have begun planning for an Island-wide traditional music festival, an Island-wide bake sale and the formation of an association of small halls. Halls from every region of PEI will be selected to participate in these Island-wide events.
“We’re very pleased to be lacing up our boots and getting out in the snow. Over the next two months, we’re going to visit more than 120 halls. Members are already out doing interviews, and every one of them has been a treasure thus far,” says Fiddlers Society Vice President, Ward MacDonald.
BACKGROUND
The PEI Fiddlers Society was formed in 1977 and has three Chapters: Queens County Fiddlers, Prince County Fiddlers and Eastern Kings Fiddlers. The Society provides performance and training opportunities for amateur fiddlers. Each chapter features amateur and professional fiddlers at its own annual event, including the Rollo Bay Fiddle Festival and concerts in Kensington and Charlottetown.
Prince Edward Island Fiddlers Society Board of Directors 2006-2007:
President – Sheila (MacKenzie) FitzPatrick
First Vice-President – Ward MacDonald
Second Vice-President – Carolyn Drake
Secretary – Anne M. McPhee
Treasurer – Paul Cheverie
For more information about the on the surveys, or the PEI Fiddlers Society, contact Ward MacDonald, 626-8084, or Ray Brow, 393-5166.