About this Event
Joseph Desjarlais was born and raised in Ile-a-la Crosse, a small Metis community in Northern Saskatchewan. He was taught by John Arcand when he was 11 years old to play the Metis fiddle and has since branched out into a few other styles of fiddle playing, though he finds it hard not to turn every tune he plays Metis. Joseph has finished his Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in Biomedical Neuroscience, and is now looking to undertake Postgraduate master's and doctoral studies. Joseph has played for many events and people over his 14 years of fiddle playing. From large events like Back to Batoche all the way to a small supper for his family. Joseph has also competed in the 2024 Canadian Grandmasters Fiddling Championship (CGMFC) and is on his way to the 2026 CGMFC’s. He has been honing his craft over the last decade and a half and hopes to live his entire life with a fiddle in his hands.
Eve Turner has been fiddling for 17 years. She started under the tutelage of Kerri English and Dean Bernier. Upon moving to Regina, she studied under Karley Parovsky. She credits her passion and inspiration to many Métis fiddlers such as John Arcand, Andy Desjarlais and Patti Kusturok. Recently Eve has broadened her artistic influences to include the Blue Grass genre. Eve is currently studying Education at the University of Saskatchewan. She spends her free time playing music, loving her dog and coaching water polo.
Gil & Wil is a female-driven country duo from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, featuring songwriters and multi-instrumentalists Holly Gilroy (she/her) and Aiden McRorie Wilson (she/her). Their prairie roots run deep, shaping a sound that blends western, bluegrass, folk, and old-time traditions into warm, harmony-rich performances. Known for producing “harmonies so tight and in-tune that it puts the rest of the world to shame” (NSMZ, 2024), Gil & Wil pair spice-filled original songs with thoughtfully revived classics, delivering live sets that are nostalgic, vibrant, and unmistakably their own. Since forming in 2022, they’ve collaborated with an array of top-tier musicians and shared stages with artists such as Wolf Willow, Mariel Buckley, Amy Nelson, and The Bellamy Brothers. Quickly becoming recognized as a Saskatchewan act to watch, the duo released their debut EP, A Siren’s Tale, produced at Rec Hall Studios (Saskatoon, SK) in the spring of 2025.
Cathy Sproule plays piano accompaniment for fiddlers whenever she gets a chance. She is often seen on the keyboard at fiddle jams, dances, concerts and workshops. You will often see her accompanying Joseph Desjarlais, JJ Guy, James Steele and Lucas Welsh at fiddle shows and events. She is passionate about old time Canadian fiddle music and is involved in the organization of fiddle events including FiddlyNess Fiddle Camp at Ness Creek in July and Shivering Strings in Saskatoon in January.
Nora’s Little Jiggers: Senator Nora Cummings always dreamed of creating a Métis dance troupe that was about more than performance. She envisioned a place where young people could learn traditional Métis dances, connect with their culture, and help carry these important traditions forward for future generations. That dream became Nora’s Little Jiggers, Gabriel Dumont Local 11’s youth Métis dance troupe.
Nobuko Iwai is the minister at Grosvenor Park United Church, and will co-host the event with Joseph Desjarlais.
Photo by Ira Selendripity on Unsplash
Event venue & nearby stays
Grosvenor Park United Church, 407 Cumberland Ave S, Saskatoon, Canada
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.