Take a Bow for World Fiddle Day [PHIL-OSOPHY]

World Fiddle Day is an annual, one-day celebration of fiddle music. This year, it falls on May 19, in honor of Antonio Stradivari, crafter of string instruments such as violins, harps, cellos, and guitars. The Latinized form of his surname, Stradivarius or Strad, are terms used to refer to his instruments.

A lot of people ask what's the difference between a fiddle and a violin? They're really the same instrument, just different kinds of music. Violin is for classical and jazz, while fiddle is for folk, country, and bluegrass.

World Fiddle Day is coming to SouthCoast Lessons in the Hatch Street Studios, located at 88 Hatch Street in New Bedford to celebrate big fiddles, little fiddles, gourd fiddles, tin fiddles, and even cigar box fiddles to help raise awareness and appreciation of this family of instruments. Whether you play or just enjoy listening to a great variety of music, traditional Old-Time American, Norwegian, Cape Verdean with John Miranda, Australian fiddler Mark Russel, Irish, and Gypsy, you'll see and hear some of the most extraordinary performances.

You'll join others celebrating the folk tradition of playing fiddle in various styles that have been passed down from generation to generation, some learned by ear. This is definitely a one-of-a-kind music event.

Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for children and $50 for family passes. Online sales at Eventbrite.com, and in person sales at The Symphony Music Shop and SouthCoast Lessons. Contact Jeff Angeley, founder and organizer (508) 207-7357 or jeffangeley@gmail.com or Roseanna Camaoini at zanna143@aol.com.

Phil Paleologos is the host of The Phil Paleologos Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Contact him at phil@wbsm.com and follow him on Twitter @PhilPaleologos. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.