Robbie Fulks and The Trishas, John H. Williams Theater, Tulsa, Oklahoma, August 21, 7 pm. Presented by the National Fiddler Hall of Fame. Tickets/info: www.myticketoffice.com

12th Annual North Cascades Oldtime Fiddlers' Contest, Winthrop, Washington, August 28, 2010. Info: www.methownet.com/fiddle/

Contest Fiddling Workshop, Avoca, Nebraska, September 11, 2010, 1 pm-3 pm, The Old Avoca SchoolhouseThis will be a wonderful opportunity for fiddlers of all ages  to learn to choose appropriate tunes, work with their back-up players, and to communicate with an audience. Participants should prepare a tune or two to play for their fellow fiddlers. Memorization is optional. Pre-registration for the workshop is required. The fee for the Contest Fiddling Workshop is $20.00 per fiddler. For more information, call 402-275-3221, or e-mail debby@greenblattandseay.com.

The Abbey Horse Festival Fiddle Competition, Ocala, Florida, October 3, 2010, 1 pm. Divisions: Rustic (traditional); Contemporary (modern, Texas, bluegrass, Irish, etc.); Twin Fiddle. Categories: Junior; Youth; Senior. Cash & medallion awards, Info: http://theabbeyhorsefestival.com

Ebay Violin Auction, October 3-10, 2010. Auction of Amati style violin (named "The Blessed Violin" after a story of the same title) currently being made by Kirk McLendon. 100% of proceeds will be donated to the Methodist Children's Home Society in Redford, Michigan, for abused, neglected, or abandoned children. For more information on the violin, the auction, the charity, and to read "The Blessed Violin" story, please visit www.theblessedviolin.com

Fiddle Hell Massachusetts, Groton, Mass., Nov 12-14, 2010. An informal gathering of fiddlers from near and far to meet, jam, learn and have fun. The term Fiddle Hell refers to the Saturday night event when all the fiddlers play a tune each and common tunes together. Last year, we had 180+ musicians, mostly fiddlers, at the fifth Massachusetts Fiddle Hell, from 13 states and 4 foreign countries! No registration needed -- fiddlers can just show up when they like. We have very limited space for non-fiddlers; please contact Dave first. We do need to pay the Inn for the space and the workshop leaders for their time, so we'd very much appreciate a donation of $40 per adult when you're there, if you can afford it ($30 for kids 18 or under; $30 for seniors 65 or older). There will be lots of different styles represented, by fiddlers with varying experience. Last year, we played and heard New England, Irish, bluegrass, swing, Scottish, Southern, French-Canadian, Texas, and Western Swing styles. Fiddle Hell is not for novices who can't play any tunes yet; it is intended for beginners (who know at least 8 tunes, say) through intermediates and advanced players. Where: The Stagecoach Inn, 128 Main Street, Groton, MA, a beautiful old country inn about an hour west of Boston. This year, we will spread out to their large Carriage House. When: Nov. 12-14, 2010. Friday from 6PM to midnight, Saturday from 9AM to midnight, and Sunday from 9AM to 5PM. Come join us for a single day or the whole weekend. If you're coming from far, come early or stay on -- there's lots to see and do in the area. Pre-Fiddle Hell workshops will be held Friday, Nov. 12, from 10AM – 5PM (requires prior signup with Dave), as a gentle intro to FH. New this year: Friday night concert at 7:30PM in the Carriage House. Lodging: The Stagecoach Inn has great rooms if you'd like to stay over. More info is posted on Dave's Web site (www.reinerfamilyband.com), including the list of common tunes, the schedule, jamming guidelines, and info on pre-Fiddle-Hell workshops.