Blazing Fiddles will knock your socks off Sept. 30

GRAVENHURST — The Muskoka Concert Association takes a detour this month as it begins its 70th season at the end of September.

After a successful July fundraising concert featuring the amazing flamenco guitarist Pavlo, they present Blazing Fiddles.

The popular sextet are on their 20^th anniversary tour, and will be at the Gravenhurst Opera House Sunday, Sept. 30, at 2 p.m., for a show that’s certain to entertain.

With a large Ontario following, the sextet is wildly popular among fans.

Blazing Fiddles are fiddlers Jenna Reid, Bruce MacGregor, Rua Macmillan and Kristan Harvey with Anna Massie on guitar/fiddle and Angus Lyon on piano, and they know how to put on a show, says a British reviewer.

They are just back from a Scottish tour, where at least one reviewer sang their praises.

In a review last week by Mike Rushby, of the U.K.-based MNPR (Music News Photos Reviews) he said of “… A highlight of the evening has to be the ernest rendition of “Ae Fond Kiss”, a song by the famed 18th century Scottish poet Robert Burns – only players like this can truly do it justice.

“Placing such tunes alongside the raucous jigs and reels that had the crowd literally dancing in the aisles is a stroke of genius that really allowed the band to shape the gig into an experience.

“With soulful performances of both their well known and more personal tunes, Blazin’ Fiddles captivated their audience before letting out a whoop (yip!) and whipping them into a foot stomping frenzy that truly made the room bounce – it’s a sprung floor in the ballroom after all.”

The show opens at 2 p.m. with the Johnston Family, a local group of fiddlers that will nicely complement Blazing Fiddles and warm the audience up for the main act.

The Muskoka Concert Association continues its series in November with Ensemble Vivant Nov. 9.

Then on Nov. 25 there is a “snow date” from last season.

And barring an early snowfall, the Metropolitan Silver Band will take the stage. Tickets from last spring are good and seats are still available for this November’s show/

In the spring the MCA series continues with a bit more traditional offering, when the guitar duo of Henderson and Kolk perform.

This time at the United Church.

Finally, May 25 the Canadian Men’s Chorus returns to Gravenhurst, and once again, at the United Church.

Tickets for all the shows are $32.

A season’s ticket for the four shows this autumn and spring is $98, a savings of $30.

Next summer’s featured fundraising guest has not been announced.