Faye Whitbeck
By Faye Whitbeck
International Falls
Daily Journal
The Fitzgerald family—Julie, Kerry, Tom, and Pat, plus parents, Pam and Paddy—will bring their family show called “Everything Fitz” to the Backus stage in International Falls this Sunday at 7:30 p.m.
Their appearance is the fourth show of the 2009/10 Border Concert Association series.
“Everything Fitz” is a family band featuring the high-energy fiddling and the percussive step dancing of four of Canada’s acclaimed finest young musicians.
With roots in the Canadian old-time fiddle tradition, the group’s unique stage show combines a variety of musical styles—from Celtic, bluegrass, and western swing to entertaining novelty tunes and choreographed step-dance routines.
“These guys are just dang, dang good,” Paul Folin of Allied Concert Services told the BCA board of directors in a meeting at Backus last fall.
All four performers have won numerous awards in both fiddle and step dance.
Julie, Kerry, and Tom each are champion fiddlers and provide intricate three-part fiddle harmonies, as well as solo improvisations on fiddle and mandolin.
Additional instrumentation includes Pat on percussion, along with Pam and Paddy providing accompaniment on piano and bass guitar.
Audience favourites have been the award-winning, step-dancing routines performed by all four siblings.
Solo dance routines also are part of the show.
The family performs fiddle favourites such as the “Orange Blossom Special,” and the band’s three-part fiddle harmonies include “Tennessee Waltz,” “What a Wonderful World,” and “La Vie En Rose.”
A show by “Everything Fitz” includes traditional old-time and Celtic jigs and reels, as well as bluegrass music.
They have toured across Canada and the United States performing in theatres, on festival stages, at fairs and exhibitions, as well as corporate and fundraising events plus outreach programs in schools.
These spirited young musicians are noted for their polished performances and provide wholesome, captivating entertainment for all ages, but particularly for families, according to Allied.
A $50 (Cdn.) seasonal ticket on the evening of this performance would allow admittance to this show as well as the April 17 performance of the Rastrelli Cello Quartet.
A $105 (Cdn.) family season ticket allows all members of an immediate family admittance to both remaining concerts.
Student season tickets are just $15 (Cdn.), which covers both remaining shows.
A “Top the Tater” meal, open to the public at $6 per person, precedes the concert from 4:30-7 p.m. in the newly-renovated Backus reception room.
