The June 1st session at Connor Byrne was an official kick off for summer, as warm temperatures and sunshine graced our music making in an outdoor patio setting.  We had folks join us from out of town, and even from out of state. It was great to make some new friends.

In case you’re wondering where and when the next session is, it will be in September! July and August are typically our time off as many of us travel near and far.  We’ll have more information on September’s session as soon as it’s available.

Now, what to do…. what to do…. Think Mt. Vernon Highland Games! It will be the 29th annual Skagit Valley Highland Games, on July 12th and 13th. Last year, they moved the games to the Fairground in Mt. Vernon, and it’s the greatest! Yes, there are fiddle opportunities, along with pipes, dancing, and competitions!  Read all about it here.

Also- for summer reading, there’s a fantastic new book written by Kelli Estes, a local from the Seattle area. She’s a USA Today bestselling author with a story that will surely delight you! Situated in the Scottish Highlands, two devoted mothers separated by centuries discover a haunting connection. Here’s her website.

Have a great summer!

COME ONE, COME ALL!  We’re excited to try out a new venue AND we had to change the date of this session to June 1st.  Here’s all the details!

The stage, with piano! Probably no purple lights though, or sound monitors.

We’re heading to 5140 Ballard Ave. NW, Seattle WA 98107  It’s at the very end of the block.  I remember checking this place out in 2022- and really thought it had potential.  Now, I’m really excited!  Since then, it’s under new ownership, as a co-op, which is pretty darn unique!   Here’s more about Conor Byrne.

OPENING JUST FOR US: They’re typically not open on Sundays in the afternoon, so we want to encourage you to come and listen, come and play, visit with friends, from 2 – 4:30 PM on June 1st.

BRING food:  if you want something to nibble on- and think in terms of something you can share with other musicians.  Beverages–outside beverages are not permitted- they’ll have nonalcoholic sodas, as well as beer, etc..

PARKING: Those in the know have suggestions. Most of the parking is on the street. You might look on 20th Ave. NW (just south of Byrne) or on Shilshole Ave. NW which is at the south end of 20th Ave., then walk up 20th and you’re there!

YOUNGER FIDDLERS: If you’re under 21, you can still participate!! The manager says: “we are 21+ at all times but can have folks who are under 21 if they are performing. They can only be in the venue when they are loading in/setting up and playing on the stage, otherwise they must be outside. They just need to check in with the bartender as soon as they get there and I’ll make a note to our staff as well that there will be someone under 21.”

THERE MIGHT BE A PATIO!  They’re working on getting this ready for warmer weather- but they’re not quite sure it will be ready by June 1.  So, look for construction work going on at the corner of the block.  The front door is still there!

PLEASE DROP US A NOTE IF YOU’RE COMING or have questions!  We can let the manager know how many chairs we’ll need.  Write to m.thumma@mac.com

See you on June 1st!!!

April’s session at Doug Plummer’s. Great tunes and conversation happening.

We’ll hope to see you at Linda Bliss’s home in Edmonds on May 11 at 2 pm.  Address is 21410 96th Ave. W., Edmonds, 98020

Our sessions are open to all.  We also welcome a mix of instruments- not just fiddles. Violas, cellos, even basses have been known to drop in.  We love to see guitars, along with accordion, mandolins, flutes, bagpipes, etc.

At our sessions there’ll be various levels of players, so speeds will vary.  Some of us are members of the NW Scottish Fiddlers, but that doesn’t mean we only play what’s in our library. Far from it!  Bring your tunes, bring your sets- Scottish, Cape Breton, Shetland, Irish, you name it!

Snacks and beverages are always welcome!

MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR JUNE 1st – we’ll be trying out Conor Byrnes Pub in Ballard. More information coming soon.

Oh Joy!  The sun is shining and we have great things to look forward to. YAY! Mark your calendar for Sunday, April 13th!

Come join the fiddling and music making festivities at Doug Plummer and Robin Shapiro’s home in the Ravenna neighborhood. Fiddles and related instruments, small pipes, and other instruments welcome.  Their address is 6203 28th Ave. NE, Seattle, WA 98115.  

We’ll meet at the usual time of 2 – 4:30 PM.  Feel free to bring a snack to share!!

See you there!

Even plants in your yard are reminding you that Valentine’s Day is drawing near! But wait!

First we’ll have a fiddle-de-dee (actually all instruments are welcome) session February 9, from 2 -4:30, at Doug Plummer and Robin Shapiro’s home in the Ravenna neighborhood.  Their address is 6203 28th Ave. NE, Seattle, WA 98115.  

Feel free to bring a snack to share!!

And, speaking of sharing…do you know any tunes or songs with a Valentine-y theme?  The Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas workshop held recently will no doubt cause some new and exciting tunes to appear, as well.

As we approach the holiday season, may your fiddle be full of tunes, and resist the urge to… quack!

Speaking of that, it’s time to put your humidifier in your fiddle case to help with that dry heat/air!  Some folks swear by putting a piece of raw potato in the case.  That’s all fine and dandy until you need that potato for soup, isn’t it!?

January’s session will be Jan. 12, at the home of Kathy Raich, 12720 SE 25th Place, Bellevue. Usual start time of 2 PM.  Space will be tight- so let us know if you’re planning to come.

This Sunday (November 10) we’d love to see you at Third Place Books in Lake Forest Park!  Start time 2 pm, and ending about 4 pm.  We’ll meet in the Commons area on the upper level.  It’s a great place for a number of reasons, but there’s also a food court- right there, with a variety of tasty food and beverages.

The address is 17171 Bothell Way NE, #A101, Lake Forest Park. WA.  98155

Doug Plummer is also keeping track of most of the tunes we play.  Here’s the Google list  with all the tunes listed (or at least the ones we know the names of!)

Hope to see you there!!

Sorry for the VERY late post!  Today, October 13, we will meet for a session at 1:30- going until about 4 PM.

Hope to see you at the Thorndike Room, Anderson School/ Mc Menamin’s.  18607 Bothell Way NE, Bothell, WA 98011.

JANUARY 17-19, 2025!

It’s TRUE!  We will see our favorite instructors this coming January, as the Celtic Arts Foundation, based in Mt. Vernon, WA has taken up the charge!

The workshop will be held in a fine location, the Seabeck Conference Center, which has been home base for their February “Winter School” workshop for years.  Also a bonus, the Celtic Arts Foundation’s executive director is Cayley Schmid is no stranger to our pre-covid workshops.  So, it’s guaranteed to be as good as always, just further south.

Here’s the link to all the information.  Look for the REGISTER button towards the top of the page!

Kudos to the Celtic Arts Foundation, Cayley Schmid, and of course, to Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas!

Here’s a peak a some of the folks on hand for the May session at Third Place Books.  We had 14 musicians, including a cellist and a piper. A great time was had by all, with lots of wonderful tunes.

Thanks to our good friend Doug Plummer for the shot below. Speaking of Doug Plummer, he’ll host our June session on June 9th!  We usually don’t have sessions in June, so this is a special opportunity.  

DETAILS on June 9th session:  2- 4:30 pm,  at 6203 28th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98115

Bring a snack to share, BYOB etc.!  See you there soon.