Stone Bank Presents: Fiddle & Clog Starring April Verch & Cody Walters

TICKETS ON SALE:  June 1, 2024

On September 7th, journey back in time with clogging virtuoso and Grand Master Fiddle Champion April Verch and vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Cody Walters during an evening of 50's country, folk, and old-time music at the Ozark Folk Center in Mountain View, Arkansas.  The evening will begin with a special performance by the Music Roots Ensemble featuring accomplished youth musicians from the Mountain View area.

Proudly sponsored by Stone Bank. Our sincere thanks to Stone Bank for supporting our mission and the Music Roots Program in Mountain View.

Buy your tickets in advance. Tickets purchased day of the concert at the theater (or Gift Shop) cost $2.00 more!

Box office opens at 5 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. Show starts at 7 p.m.

About the guest stars:

April Verch: To listen to April Verch is to be immersed in tradition. To watch her perform is to be transported. While best known for her deep expertise in the distinctive Ottawa Valley fiddle and step dancing styles, there is far more to April’s story. Be it regional Canadian roots, American old-time, 50’s Country, Scandinavian folk music, or something original that sounds as though it’s been around for a century—the one common thread is her love and reverence for the music and traditions that have been passed down to her.

Born in the heart of the Ottawa Valley in northeastern Ontario, Verch was trained from birth in the specific rhythms and melodies of the region, giving her music a sense of intuition and ease that could only come from a lifetime of experience. Her educational opportunities equipped her with the breadth and depth of musical knowledge that defines her artistic voice to this day. But more than that, her decades of performance experience—including her historic wins at the Canadian Grand Masters Fiddling Championship and Canadian Open Old-Time Fiddlers’ Contest at the ages of 18 and 19 respectively—would give her a singular bond with the music, providing her with the intuition to “dance the tune” and improvise with incredible fluency in both fiddling and step dancing.

Her virtuosity and reverence for tradition would eventually lead Verch to one of the true highlights of her career: participating in the Opening Ceremonies for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver.

April Verch & Cody Walters: This husband-and-wife duo is a true partnership of kindred musical spirits, each a world-class musician in their own right. Combining their unique backgrounds from Verch’s native Ottawa Valley and Walters’ heartland roots in Kansas, their music showcases endless creativity and versatility—transitioning effortlessly from traditional Ottawa Valley step dancing and fiddle tunes, to old-time fiddle-banjo duets with tight-knit vocal harmonies, to innovative sandpaper foot percussion, all contrasted against Verch’s sweet soprano voice.

Together they have traveled to four continents, performed in fourteen countries, and played everywhere from tiny pubs and dusty festival workshops all the way to legendary stages such as the Kennedy Center and the Ryman Auditorium.

Music & Craft Season Passes are honored at this event. (A $240 concert value for $90.) Passes include:

✓  Admission to evening concerts, championship contests, and festivals featuring bluegrass, folk, and country music at our 1,000-seat indoor music venue, Ozark Highlands Theater, during our season (Apr. 2-Oct. 26, 2024). [See list of included events]
✓  Unlimited visits to the Craft Village for old-fashioned fun at the park's 20+ artisan shops, gardens, and live music sets by talented Ozark musicians at the Blacksmith Stage every Tuesday-Saturday in-season.

Need a place to stay and eat? The Skillet Restaurant at the Ozark Folk Center offers classic Southern fare and a scenic dining room near the Craft Village shops and gardens. The Cabins at Dry Creek offer modern duplex rooms to meet a variety of needs including pet-friendly rooms, suites, and family-style rooms.  The pool at the cabins office is open between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

Questions?  Call the Ozark Folk Center at the Folk Music Capital of scenic Mountain View, Arkansas at 800-264-FOLK (3655) or 870-269-3851.