2020 Season update

Dear Ten Pound Fiddle members and friends,

The COVID-19 virus outbreak has taken a huge toll on the Ten Pound Fiddle, independent musicians, and the music industry generally. Locally, we felt we had no choice but to cancel the remaining six Fiddle concerts of the season. As a result of multiple cancellations, many smaller self-employed musicians and producers find themselves in a financially precarious situation.

As a gesture of support, the Ten Pound Fiddle board has voted to pay the artists whose Fiddle shows were cancelled approximately half of what they would have earned had they traveled here and given the scheduled show. Checks totaling over $4000 will go out this week. These payments are possible because so many advanced ticket buyers for the cancelled shows chose not to request a refund, which gives the Fiddle the funds needed for these payments. Thanks to all of you for your generous support! 

Read more about this exciting news in the City Pulse and Lansing State Journal.

At this point, the only Fiddle events not cancelled are the May and June contra dances. As soon as dance organizers make a decision about those events, the Fiddle webpage for each event will be updated at www.tenpoundfiddle.org. All concerts and Fiddle Scout gatherings between now and the summer have been cancelled.

Presently, the Fiddle is working to reschedule the six cancelled concerts as part of our 2020-21 season. We will announce the new season lineup as soon as possible this summer so we can all plan our Friday nights and look forward to hearing our favorite artists. Once the season is announced, advanced tickets will be available on the Fiddle website for every concert.
During this time of social distancing, many of our favorite acoustic musicians have scheduled ‘livestream’ concerts–sort of a house concert, held in your house via the web! Information can be found on artist websites. For example, Susan Werner gave one Sunday, the Dropkick Murphys held one on St. Pat’s Day, Seth Bernard gave one on Wednesday, and many more are scheduled for the next few weeks. While many shows are officially ‘free,’ most offer patrons a way to donate directly to the artist. Fans can also support favorite artists by ordering recordings and other products from artist websites.

Folk fans can support the work of the Fiddle by purchasing memberships on the Fiddle website, or by pressing the ‘Donate’ button on our homepage. The Ten Pound Fiddle is funded entirely through tickets sales, memberships and donations. 

Thank you for your continued support of The Ten Pound Fiddle.
Sincerely,  The Ten Pound Fiddle Board of Directors

P.S. This summer, the Fiddle will help to promote many extraordinary Robin Theatre productions, including Luke Winslow King (May 7); Duo Duo (Maeve Gilchrist and Nic Gareiss, and Natalie Haas and Yann Falquet) (May 30); Lonesome Ace Stringboard (banjoist Chris Coole) (June 5); Josh White Jr. (June 6); Carla Cook and Billy Davis: The Ultimate Sam Cooke Experience (Aug.14). 

Throughout the year, Robin Theatre owners Dylan Rogers and Jeana-Dee Allen make space to host and highlight many fine acoustic musicians, and co-produce 6-8 Fiddle shows each season. As soon as larger groups of people are once again allowed to gather, be sure to check out the fabulous music in their gorgeous, intimate space in Lansing’s REO Town at www.robintheatre.com.