Award-winning local fiddler performs
A local fiddler is coming home for an intimate and interactive concert. First, though, she has to finish her tour of Ireland.
Brittany Iwanciwski currently lives in Victoria where she located for post-secondary education in the finer points of music. She was already a well-established youth performer in her Prince George hometown, and last year she proved her high standing (along with fellow P.G. fiddler Chloe Nakahara) when she won her way into the Canadian Grand Masters national competition.
Iwanciwski and guitar accompanist Charlie Gannon will perform as a duo.
“Charlie is the go-to guitarist for every Victoria fiddler,” said Iwanciwski. He also performs in a number of Victoria bands like Coastline, Fish in a Birdcage, and Calvin Cairns.
Iwanciwski is also in Coastline. That fiddle group is currently in Ireland on a tour including Dublin, Galway, Limerick, Tipperary, Northern Ireland and more. She had just left Galway when The Citizen caught up with the up-and-coming fiddle star.
“We are performing concerts, attending sessions and workshops, meeting local Trad bands (acts that perform traditional Irish music) and sightseeing,” she said, clapping her hands about the Guinness brewery tour on their agenda. “It’s been interesting seeing where so many tunes we play originated. We’ve taken the Road to Lisdoonvarna, seen the isle of Inisheer, Kilfenora and the Cliffs of Moher, which are all names of popular Irish tunes.”
The process of getting to Ireland was like a months-long rehearsal for their appearance in a land synonymous with the instrument. Coastline raised their travel funds by performing concerts. Iwanciwski also did her own gigs, like sitting in with Fish in a Birdcage at the Victoria Highland Games and at the Irish Times Pub or the shows she did with her other band Crystal Creek.
When she gets to Prince George she feels ultra ready for the house concert hosted by her family. It will be a literal homecoming and also a sendoff of sorts.
“These are my last few months in B.C. as I got a scholarship to go to Humber College to finish my Bachelor of Music,” she said. “I’m excited to spend a couple weeks back at home seeing everyone again before moving to Toronto. Since Charlie Gannon will be visiting Prince George after we teach at the BC Fiddle ’Treat at Gavin lake, we decided to play a house concert at the Iwanciwski’s house.”
Special musical guest that night will be Chloe Nakahara, and all who attend are encouraged to bring instruments and turn it into a jam.
The show is July 25 at 7 p.m. at 6836 Mesa St. To guarantee a seat, buy advance tickets ($20 each) at the Eventbrite website or email Doug at