ALASDAIR FRASER'S FIDDLE TRAIN
Vancouver to Toronto
November 3-7, 2007

With Alasdair Fraser, Natalie Haas and Genticorum

Here's what travelers on previous Roots on the Rails trips had to say:

"The best of the best! Glad to travel with you all. I can't wipe the smile off my face." - Gerry Frost, Calgary, AB

"Sixty nine of the nicest people plus nine of the most talented; 24/7 days and nights of all killer/no filler. Unforgettable weird and wonderful stuff that has me already thinking back in disbelief -- was it all really that good?? It was really that good, like the best of a movable Elko without worrying about tickets." - Corky Gordon, Los Angeles, CA

Be a part of a legend in the making - Alasdair Fraser's Fiddle Train...
A five-day adventure across Canada! Three days and nights on board our own private section of the legendary streamliner The Canadian running through the Rockies, Prairies and North Woods - from Vancouver to Toronto, 3,000 miles on the rails that built a nation! Comfortable sleeper berths, freshly-prepared meals, plus two nights in four-star Fairmont hotels in Vancouver and Toronto, kickoff concert and non-stop entertainment on board! A gorgeous 1950's art-deco dome lounge; diner and performance car with plenty of space for socializing... Our own on-board naturalist ready to explain the passing landscape. Every day we'll have afternoon workshops, open mic sessions and evening shows. Be one of seventy patrons joining Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas along with the members of Genticorum (Alexandre de Grosbois-Garand, Yann Falquet and Pascal Gemme) for the trip of a lifetime (Alasdair is threatening to organize dance parties. Is there any way this could be more fun than it's shaping up to be? And if you think of it, could you please let us know?)

"We had high hopes, but the trip was even better than expected. We knew the performers would be great, however we were not prepared to be so overwhelmed with the quality of our fellow travellers, the Roots on the Rails folks and the staff on the train. Thanks to all for a great time!" - Chris and Robin Jenkins

Learn all about the route we'll travel! Download this route guide (.pdf) courtesy of Via Rail: (2 full color pgs; 3.79 MB).

Sat. November 3
Gather at The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver for check-in, followed by a kickoff concert at Capilano College in North Vancouver.

Sun. November 4
The day is free for sightseeing; gather mid-afternoon at Via Rail depot. Depart Vancouver 5:30 pm. Dinner on board as we enter the awesome Fraser River Canyon. 8:30 pm - Midnight: Evening Concert on board.

Mon. November 5
Wake up to some of the most magnificent scenery in the world! We'll pass Mt. Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, wend our way through Yellowhead (Tete Jaune) Pass and descend into the mountain town of Jasper at 11am (MT). We depart at 12:20, allowing for plenty of mountain air and leg- stretching. Workshops through the afternoon. In late afternoon we arrive in Edmonton, with a chance to stretch our legs, then we're off again. Starting at 8:30pm as we roll across the prairies, through small towns like Biggar and Viking, we'll be rocking and reeling till midnight in the performance car.

Tue. November 6
Across the prairies and Into Winnipeg at 11:20am (CT), where the Red and Assiniboine rivers meet at "The Forks;" depart 12:25pm. The afternoon is filled with workshops, and, as evening falls, we enter the land of 1,000 lakes and the Canadian shield - some of the oldest rock and landscape on earth - over a thousand miles of nearly uninhabited terrain. This night on board features a full compliment of music and song!

Wed. November 7
Morning through the Shield, then into the small railroad town of Capreol for a leg-stretching just after noon. Our final afternoon on board brings us a last round of workshops and shows. We'll have an early dinner as we near Toronto, then, at 8:00pm, we pull into Union Station and cross the street to check in to the magnificent Fairmont Royal York, recently voted Canada's best deluxe hotel.

Thurs. November 8
Time to head home, or (optionally) stay another night for a possible Alasdair Fraser concert in Toronto (details tba). Special ticket price and additional hotel nights available.

ALASDAIR FRASER

www.aladairfraser.com

"Alasdair Fraser is recognized throughout the world as one of the finest fiddle players Scotland has ever produced. [His] name is synonymous with the vibrant cultural renaissance which is transforming the Scottish musical scene." -SCOTS Magazine

Master Scottish fiddler Alasdair Fraser is a consummate performer. His dynamic fiddling, engaging stage presence, and deep understanding of Scotland's music have created a constant and international demand for his solo appearances and concerts with a variety of ensembles. Alasdair has been a major force behind the resurgence of traditional Scottish fiddling in his homeland and the U.S., inspiring legions of listeners and learners through his recordings, annual fiddle camps, and concerts. He has represented Scotland internationally through performances sponsored by the British Council, and has been awarded touring support by the California Arts Council, with the ranking of "highest priority for inclusion on the roster; considered 'model' in stature."

Alasdair's richly expressive playing transports listeners across a broad musical spectrum, ranging from haunting laments from the Gaelic tradition to classically-styled airs, raucous dance tunes, and improvisations based on traditional themes. His vast repertoire spans several centuries of Scottish music and includes his own compositions, which blend a profound understanding of the Scottish tradition with cutting-edge musical explorations. He weaves through his performances a warm and witty narrative, drawing from a deep well of stories and lore surrounding Scotland's musical heritage.

NATALIE HAAS

www.nataliehaas.com

"Haas can make her instrument sound like the drone of a hurdy-gurdy, the jangle of a guitar, or the thump of a string bass, and she can carry the tune of fast jigs and reels as well." - Robert Dawson Scott, The Times

Vibrant young cellist Natalie Haas is a seasoned performer, recording artist and teacher. She has joined master Scottish fiddler Alasdair Fraser for festival and concert appearances in Scotland, Spain, France, and throughout the U.S. "People may be familiar with the gorgeous, melodic cello sound," says Fraser, "but they're surprised to learn that the cello used to comprise the rhythm section in Scottish dance bands. Natalie Haas unleashes textures and deep, powerful rhythms that drive fiddle tunes. We can "duck and dive" around each other, swap melody and harmony lines, and improvise on each other's rhythmic riffs. She has such a great sense of exploration and excitement for the music; it's a joy to play with her!"

A recent graduate of the Juilliard School in New York City, Natalie discovered the cello at age nine. In addition to having extensive classical music training, she is accomplished in a broad array of fiddle genres. Her musical journey found purpose when she fell in love with Celtic music at the Valley of the Moon Scottish Fiddling School at age 11. Inspired and encouraged by director Fraser, she began to investigate the cello's potential for rhythmic accompaniment to fiddle tunes. Her and Fraser's duo release, Fire & Grace, was awarded the Best Album of the Year in the Scots Trad Music Awards 2004.A California native, Natalie has also toured extensively with Mark O'Connor as a member of his Appalachia Waltz Trio. Natalie has also toured and recorded with fiddler Natalie MacMaster. She teaches privately, in a workshop setting, at various fiddle camps, and at the Berklee College of Music in Boston.

GENTICORUM

www.genticorum.com

Genticorum are fast becoming one of the most sought-after proponents of Qu�b�cois musical culture, firmly rooted in the soil of their native land.The energetic and original traditional 'power trio' also incorporates the dynamism of today's North American and European folk cultures in their music. Weaving wooden flute, fiddle, acoustic guitar, jaw harp, bass and foot percussion with strong vocal harmonies, they offer a blend of traditional songs and tunes as well as original compositions. Their distinctive sound, sense of humour and stage presence make them a supreme crowd pleaser. Since their debut in 2000, Genticorum has forged a solid place on the folk and world music circuit, playing festivals, concerts, dances - and now Roots on the Rails across Canada!

"Wonderful rhythmic flare - full and glorious noise" - SING OUT!

PRICE

$2689.00 CN per person (approximately $2275 US at exchange rates a/o 3/1/07). Includes hotel room at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver and at the Fairmont Royal York in Toronto, ticket to Vancouver concert, all meals on board, sleeper accommodations (upper or lower semi-private berth accommodations: bench seat by day, roomy single bed by night), shower in each car, private dome car/lounge, all shows in Performance Car, all Fiddle Train activities. Gratuities, alcoholic beverages and transfers are not included. Private (enclosed room) sleeping car space provides additional storage space, privacy and one's own sink and toilet facilities. $449 per person CN (approx $375 US a/o 03/07) additional. To reserve your spot, send us an e-mail <flyradar@sover.net>, call toll-free in North America 866-484-3669 (or 802-463-3669) or fax us at 802-463-3677. (if by e-mail, we need your name, address, phone, number in party, type of accommodation desired and intended means of payment. We'll get back to you asap).

We are happy to set up a monthly payment schedule at no additional cost to you. A non-refundable deposit of $300 CAD/US is required to hold space. Checks accepted in US or Canadian funds (make out to Flying Under Radar and send to PO Box 653, Bellows Falls, VT 05101 USA). Payments outside of deposit are refundable until 60 days prior to departure. Reservations are transferrable. Trip is limited to 70 patrons. Liability release signature required.

During months upcoming we provide extensive information on how to pack, getting across the border, how life on board works, and will be happy to answer any additional questions you might have. Our travel agent, Lisa Timmons at United Nations Travel (unitednationstravel@yahoo.com) will work with you to determine additional hotel nights (at our group rate) at Vancouver and Toronto hotels, as well as your travel options to and from Canada (her consultations are free; she charges a nominal service charge for actual flight ticketing). Return travel is not provided. We suggest checking out the discount Canadian airlines such as Westjet. Lisa can also help arrange your return on Via Rail or Amtrak if you desire.

The Fine Print: The payment of a deposit or any part or full payment for a reservation shall constitute consent to all the provisions contained herein. Flying Under Radar, LLC shall not be held responsible for for property loss or damage and/or any damages resulting from illness, personal injuries or death which may be sustained by reason of, or while engaged on, any trip or tour whether due to the ownership, maintenance, use, operation or control of any vehicle, hotel, common carrier or any other conveyance used in carrying out these tours. We can assume no liability due to any cause whatsoever whether caused by failure or delay or other irregularity, acts or omissions occurring during a tour under which the means of transportation or other service thereby is offered or supplied by owners, operators or public carriers for whom Flying Under Radar, LLC acts only as agent. Flying Under Radar, LLC reserves the right (at its discretion) to alter or omit any part of the itinerary, or change any reservation, feature and/or means of conveyance without notice or for any reason whatsoever and without allowance or refund and with extra costs, if any, resulting therefrom paid by the passengers. Lineup subject to change. We reserve the right to cancel any tour prior to departure, in which case payment will be refunded without further obligation on our part. Flying Under Radar, LLC shall not be responsible for any injury to person (whether or not resulting in death) or damage to property. Flying Under Radar, LLC strongly urges individual passengers to obtain appropriate insurance coverage. Baggage is at the owner's risk entirely. The transportation companies concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omission or event during the time passengers are not aboard their carriers or conveyances. The passenger contract in use by the carriers concerned (when issued) shall constitute the sole contract between the transportation companies and the purchaser of these tours and/or passage. By accepting the ticket the passenger also agrees to its terms and conditions. By forwarding of deposit, the passenger certifies that he/she does not have any mental, physical or other condition or disability that would create a hazard for him/herself or other passengers. Flying Under Radar, LLC reserves the right to cancel or withdraw any person as a member of the tour at any time.