‘Everything Fitz’ on the Backus stage Sunday
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 at 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Their appearance in Borderland is the fourth show of the concert series sponsored by the Border Concert Association.
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 accomplished performers have won numerous awards in both fiddle and step dance.
Julie, Kerry and Tom are each 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 parents Pam and Paddy providing accompaniment on piano and bass guitar.
Audience favorites have been the award-winning, step-dancing routines performed by all four siblings. Solo dance routines are also part of the show.
The family performs fiddle favorites 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. A published sample program also includes songs such as “Happy Trails,” “Just a Closer Walk With Thee” and “America the Beautiful.”
“ ... their show is simply phenomenal,” said Don Mortenson, the Govan, Saskatchewan Fiddle Festival chairman. “Each of their four performances here culminated with a standing ovation. Everything Fitz was undoubtedly the most talked-about group of entertainers we have had in the last decade.”
Gevon Moss of Atlantis Resort, Paradise Island, said, “... Very classy act, but also very down to earth! ... Everyone deserves to see the talent, discipline and hard work ...”
Everything Fitz has toured across Canada and the United States performing in theaters, on festival stages, at fairs and exhibitions as well as corporate and fund-raising events plus outreach programs in schools.
The family has recorded two CDs as well as a DVD of one of its live shows. 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.
Folin said this is a good opportunity for the whole family to attend a highly entertaining, music and dance show. A $45 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 — virtuoso cellists who “play everything on their cellos except what you expect,” says Allied. A $95 family season ticket allows all members of an immediate family admittance to both remaining concerts. Student season tickets are just $10 which covers both 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.
More information on Everything Fitz is available at www.everythingfitz.ca.
