For FIDDLERS! 25 we are pleased to welcome these amazing families to the stage….

The Great Bear Trio

Seventeen years ago The Great Bear Trio played FIDDLERS!. Back in 2001 Andrew, a 14 year old guitarist and“fiddling sensation”, teenage brother Noah, also a guitarist and fiddler, and mother Kelly formed this outstanding trio. We still have folks ask when they are coming back. The answer is: THIS YEAR!

For more than sixteen years, The Great Bear Trio has set the standard and pushed the boundaries of modern contra dance music. They are known all over North America for their epic dynamics, genre-transcending arrangements and deep dance grooves. Andrew VanNorstrand (guitars and fiddle), Noah VanNorstrand (fiddle, mandolin and feet) and Kim “Mama Bear” Yerton (piano) bring a party that everyone is invited to!

 

 

Jay Ungar & Molly Mason

Jay and Molly have been making music together since the late 70’s with a chance meeting at a club where they were both booked to play. Since that time they have cut many records and played with an array of acclaimed musicians. Molly was a member of the house band for Garrison Keillor’s A Prairie Home Companion while Jay was establishing the, now world renowned, Ashokan Fiddle & Dance Camps, a destination for enthusiasts of American music and dance tradition. Jay and Molly remain a integral part of the Ashokan Center where Jay is the President and CEO.

Their piece Ashokan Farewell became the theme song for Ken Burn’s PBS documentary The Civil War. The song has become a worldwide favorite for orchestras, Americana musicians and has been recorded by a variety of esteemed musicians. Jay and Molly are well loved around the world and possibly even more so in the Catskill and Hudson Valley regions as folks are very proud to have such a warm, talented and giving duo of Americana musicians carrying on such wonderful musical traditions in our region. It’s hard to pin down a genre to explain Jay and Molly as they pay homage to many, such as: Appalachian, Scandinavian, Celtic, Klezmer, Swing traditions and more.

Jay and Molly’s daughter and son-in-law, Ruthy and Mike, will be on stage next with The Mammals!

 

 

The Mammals

The Mammals are Ruth Ungar, Mike Merenda, and a cohort of compelling collaborators who form a touring quintet on the fiddle, banjo, guitar, organ, bass, and drums. A rough and tumble decade in the 00’s forged The Mammals identity as “subversive acoustic traditionalists” or a “party band with a conscience.” Re-emerging from a hibernation period during-which the band’s founders explored new songwriting terrain, The Mammals “don’t suffer from multiple genre syndrome, they celebrate it as if gleefully aware that the sound barriers separating old-timey music, vintage pop and contemporary folk are as permeable as cotton.” (Washington Post) Their new album, Sunshiner, was recorded at their own studio Humble Abode Music in West Hurley, NY with co-producer Adam Armstrong.

Mike and Ruthy are parents and a musical family unto themselves. However, you may also recognize the name Ungar from the extremely popular folk duo of Jay Ungar and Molly Mason. Jay and Molly have taken the stage at FIDDLERS! in the past and Ruthy plays with them often.

 

As always, we are thrilled to have…..

The Tremperskill Boys

…who will be opening the day with their fine music and foot flyin’ square dancing! This lively outfit is made up of local musicians and have opened this FIDDLERS! celebration for many years!


 Tickets

Advance ticket sales for this event have ended. All tickets purchased on the day of the event are $25. Tickets are available at the door.