• Print
• Comment

Mount Dora Music Festival Presents Top Florida Fiddler Jonathan Hodge��

Friday, February 3, 2012

Six-time and current Florida State Fiddle Champion Jonathan Hodge of Umatilla will make a special appearance at the Mount Dora Music Festival Saturday, February 18th. From 10 to 11:30 am, Hodge will host a Fiddle Master Class workshop including a Q&A at the Donnelly Park Pavilion where he will demonstrate to musicians of all levels approaches to bow control and technique, tone, tonality, double stops, ornamentation, and improvisation. Following the workshop, he will perform from 11:30 until noon on the Donnelly Park Stage.

Hooked on the uniquely American sound of the fiddle, this classically trained fiddler has been playing since the age of six. His early influences included radio shows, fiddle contests, jam sessions and potluck dinners throughout the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia where he met great fiddle players of the region. With their encouragement and his talent, Hodge would become one of the most celebrated masters of the instrument.

Hodge has spent more than 40 years fiddling around the country, dazzling audiences with his incredible mastery of styles from Celtic to jazz and old-time forms found throughout North America. When this active promoter and participant in folk music events and contra dances isn't performing, you'll find him teaching the fiddle throughout Florida - and now for one day only at the Mount Dora Music Festival. Now is your chance to learn from a fiddle champion. Sign up for this course designed for fiddle fans and players at all levels or just come for the fun of it. The cost is $10 and seating is limited.

Other ticketed performances include Almost Elton John and the Rocket Band, A Salute to Elton John starring Craig A. Meyer on Saturday, February 18 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $35 general admission and $50 VIP which includes a reserved seat and Meet and Greet artist reception. The Alter Eagles, The Definitive Eagles Tribute Band will perform Friday, February 17 at 7:30 pm and tickets are $25. Both Showcases will be held at the Mount Dora Community Center, 520 N. Baker Street, downtown. For tickets or more information, call the Music Festival hotline at (352) 385-1010, or order online at mountdoramusicfest.com.

Sponsors of the Mount Dora Music Festival include the City of Mount Dora, Visit Mount Dora, Lake County Tourism and Business Relations, United Arts, Culture Builds Florida, Daily Commercial, Lake Magazine, What To Do In Mount Dora and Wells Fargo Advisors. The MDMF is a non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization that relies on contributions and grant funding. If you would like to gift the Music Festival or become a sponsor, contact executive director Nancy Howell at (352) 383-2627.