Fiddle About

The Gabriel Dumont Institute video "Fiddle About." Calvin Volrath plays the "Old Reel of Eight", and the emergence of the Métis is described. Calvin Volrath and John Arcand play "The Big Dipper Jig", and the history of Métis fiddle music is described. Calvin Volrath plays a tune using a "down east", or Don Messer style, John plays the same tune using the traditional Métis style. The practice of accompanying the fiddle with guitars, the presence of each community's champion fiddler, and the celebration at Batoche are introduced. The origins of the "Red River jig" is also discussed and the dance is demonstrated. Calvin Volrath and John Arcand play "Big John MacNeil" and "The Jean Guy Reel". Calvin Volrath plays "The Heritage Mountain Horn Pipe" and Calvin Volrath and John Arcand play "Grey Owl".