Yodelfest 2009
Town & Country Centre
May 9
Airdrie Alberta

Yodelfest 2009 was extremely successful this year with a much larger attendance then ever and a sell out crowd.  There were 13 busloads of groups from various areas of Alberta including one from southeast of Regina, Sask.  One busload came with 49 people, plus two carloads from one organization alone.

This years event presented good family entertainment from the youngest to the eldest to enjoy with a variety of artists mostly those of Swiss, Austrian background.

The show opened with the Swiss yodelers, the Jodler Club Heimattreu, dressed in the native homeland costumes, using no mics or backup instruments using a variety of yodels five part harmony.  The articulate blending of their voices almost brought tears to the eye. That was followed by the Swiss folks dance club Alpenrosi dressed in costumes worn today that were handed down created by mothers and grandmothers. They are an all female group that is traditional in Switzerland and their performance was very colourful and outstanding.

Then there was the zither player with some of his own compositions.  When he played "The Third Man's Theme", it was very well accepted by the audience.  The alphorn player made his debut with the beautiful alphorn music that is so richly heard in the alps in Switzerland. A retired military person he also played some selections on his trumpet.

The Doll Sisters from Rocky Mountain House soon became a favorite and Shelby did a fantastic work of art with her yodeling.  As a new beginner in the yodeling field she is bound to go places. They played a little bit of country, Celtic and their voices in harmony is something no one would want to miss. They are sure to become one of Alberta's favourite rising stars duo and there was so many requests to have them for next years event.

Miriam and the Mountaineers gave all they had with lots of yodeling, ole country tunes and Vic Nicolls, instrumentalist of the year on the styling's of Chet Atkins.  "Somewhere My Love" was the tune that so many people enjoyed.  Miriam's yodeling student, who was the 2009 Canadian champion yodeler,  came from Manitoba, had everyone tappin' their toes to her upbeat accordion music and her outstanding yodeling.

On the final set, a bit of comedy came into the act with a gentleman from Manitoba who appeared on stage with a blonde wig, dark sunglasses and kicking up his heels and desperately attempting to yodel. When the song "Second Fiddle" was sung, he appeared with two plastic guitars glued together with pretty ribbons and announced that he had the best guitar in the country that needed no strings, no tuners, was light weight to carry and he could put it in his suitcase. He then rested his head on Miriam's shoulder while she sang "I Wouldn't Change You if I Could" that brought the house down. Appearing on stage for her first time was Miriam's four year old great granddaughter dressed in a pretty little red dress, big brown eyes and pig tails who is perfecting the art of yodeling. When she saw so many people, she got stage fright and her remark was "there's too many people out there and I am scared." There is no doubt she will be back for next years event as that is all she has talked about ever since. A newspaper reporter was there to take pictures and one was of her that was published the following week. Wayne Dolan, the son of the late Lloyd Dolan was Master of Ceremonies.

To start the show off, Miriam thanked everyone for coming, gave out a special thank you gift for the travel co-ordinator of the different groups that have been such a great support since Yodelfest beginning. She then turned the show over to Wayne. He immediately had everyone's attention in stitches with his jokes and introducing the different artists. Many comments were made to have him return for next year's event.

The parents and Airdrie Air Cadets served refreshments and all proceeds went directly to their club.Miriam's grandson was a cadet and has now gone on to be an airline pilot, so thus reason she was able to give back to the community.

The Royal Canadian Legion put on the most scrumptious meal after the show for everyone who attended Yodelfest. When asked how many pounds of potatoes' were peeled, the answer was 100 pounds the day before. Their price was right and made it easier for the busloads who came to help cut down their expenses with so many having to travel a long distance to return home.

by Miriam Dreher