National fiddlin’ champions perform in Freeland Sunday

Bee Eaters to buzz Dancing Fish Vineyards

Acoustic music lovers may want to make a beeline to see The Bee Eaters perform Sunday evening at Dancing Fish Vineyards.

The California-based group is bringing together a hive of string talent to share many years of musical camaraderie.

The Bee Eaters feature famous fiddling siblings Tristan and Tashina Clarridge, who are six-time Grand National Fiddle Champions, and Simon Chrisman, known as “the hammer dulcimer wizard.”

One critic described their music as a “combination of chamber music’s finely calibrated arrangements with bluegrass’s playful virtuosity and pop music’s melodic resourcefulness.”

A kick of Celtic is also thrown in.

The Bee Eaters will be joined by friends playing mandolin, guitar, cello and banjo, and they’ll be accompanied by soulful singers on some tunes.

“It’s an international collaboration,” said Tristan Clarridge, who also promised a surprise musical guest.

This will be the first appearance of The Bee Eaters on Whidbey Island.

“I know there’s a lot of acoustic fans on Whidbey,” she said. “I’ve visited there but never performed there.”

The Bee Eaters have collectively taught hundreds of lessons and workshops in communities, schools and colleges such as the Berklee College of Music, the University of Victoria, Humboldt State University and many others.

• The Bee Eaters, 6:30 p.m. Feb. 18, Dancing Fish Vineyards, 1953 Newman Road, Freeland. Suggested donation for tickets: $10 youth, $15-$30 adult. Children 12 and under free. Tickets and more information: www. beeeaters.com