2010 WEST COAST FIDDLE TRAIN
with ALASDAIR FRASER & NATALIE HAAS
and Special Musical Guests
Los Angeles-Oakland-Bend-Portland & return
May 12-16, 2010

Join Alasdair Fraser, Natalie Haas and friends on an unforgettable musical journey on board vintage private railroad cars from Los Angeles and the Bay Area to Portland and return, May 12-16, 2010. Be one of just 57 travellers on this journey North along the coast, tracing the historic El Camino Real, through the Central Valley to Sacramento, past Mount Shasta and over the Cascade Mountains on one of the most scenically spectacular rail routes in North America!

And at all times there will be plenty of music and camaraderie. The warm presence of Alasdair and Natalie, not to mention excellent freshly-prepared meals, two lounge areas, our own dome car with glass-enclosed 360 degree views, lovingly restored sleeping cars from the golden age of streamliners of the 1940’s and 1950s.

We depart the gorgeous Art Deco Los Angeles Union Station on the morning of Wednesday, May 12. There'll be room for informal music and jamming to start early and go all day long. Patrons are free to board en route as we travel through Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Salinas and San Jose. The route twists and turns along the coast for over 100 miles between Ventura and Pismo Beach, much of it inaccessible by road, then over Cuesta Pass and its spectacular horseshoe curve before entering the great valleys of Salinas and San Jose for the remainder of the trip to the Bay Area. That evening we pick up our additional private sleeper in Oakland.

During the night we head east to Sacramento, then turn north through Chico and Dunsmuir, past snow-covered Mt. Shasta. In the morning we arrive in Chemult, where a chartered motorcoach will be waiting to take us the short ride to Bend, Oregon, our destination for the evening.

The afternoon is free to explore Bend, an inviting mountain city with cosmopolitan appeal. That evening we’ll have a concert downtown at the historic Tower Theatre. Accommodations at a nearby hotel are provided.

On Friday we board our motorcoach for the trip to Portland, “the City of Roses,” where we rejoin our private cars parked at historic Portland Union Station. There's free time for exploration and dinner before an evening concert with Alasdair and Natalie.

After a free Saturday morning, we pull out on our southbound train in the early afternoon, through the Willamette Valley, past the state capitol of Salem. After departing Eugene, we begin our climb through the Cascade Range, one of the most spectacular stretches of railroad in North America. In our traverse of the range, we pass through more than twenty tunnels!

During the night we retrace our route, with morning arrival in the Bay Area. The day unfolds onboard with music and relaxation, with arrival in Los Angeles scheduled for 9:00 pm.

Sign up today, by e-mailing Roots on the Rails at trains@sover.net, by calling 866-484-3669 (toll free in the US & Canada) or 802-258-1397.

"We had the time of our lives on the Fiddle Train. We met many wonderful people with whom we hope to keep in touch... Fun, fun, fun - it was the BEST!" - Terry and Sarah Brenzo, 2007 trip participants

"If you would like to leave this planet for a wee journey, we suggest you contact Roots on the Rails and get ready for the trip of a lifetime. We just returned from Alasdair Fraser's Fiddle Train.... The best experience we have ever had . We can hardly wait for the next one!" - Gord and Sandy Price, 2007 trip participants

Download a one-page flyer about the 2010 Fiddle Train! (92kb)

Wed. 5/12/10

Dp. Los Angeles - 10:15 AM
Ar. Santa Barbara 12:48 PM
San Luis Obispo 3:43 PM
Salinas 6:36 PM*
San Jose 8:39 PM*
Oakland 9:47 PM*
(brunch, dinner, late night snack served on board)

Thu. 5/13

Ar. Chemult 9:40 AM (1.25 hours MOTORCOACH to Bend)
or
Ar. Albany, OR - 1:30 PM (2.5 hours MOTORCOACH to Bend)

(breakfast or brunch served on board)

MOTORCOACH - Ar. Bend, OR
CONCERT - Bend, OR
HOTEL - Bend, OR

Fri. 5/14

Dp. Bend - mid-morning
Ar. Portland - early afternoon (3.5 hours motorcoach to Portland; box lunch provided)
CONCERT - Portland, OR
overnight onboard train

Sat. 5/15

Dp. Portland - 1:50/2:25 PM
(continental breakfast/coffee service, dinner, late night snack served on board)

Sun. 5/16

Ar. Oakland 8:35 AM*
Ar. San Jose 9:55 AM*
Ar. Salinas 11:48 AM*
Ar. San Luis Obispo 3:20 PM
Ar. Santa Barbara 6:17 PM
Ar. Los Angeles 9:00 PM
(brunch and dinner served on board)

Sign up today, by e-mailing Roots on the Rails at trains@sover.net, by calling 866-484-3669 (toll free in the US & Canada) or 802-258-1397.

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 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.

PRICE

Price $2,489.00 per person out of Los Angeles, Santa Barbara or San Luis Obispo. *$2,189.00 from Oakland (patrons boarding in Salinas or San Jose qualify for this price, but do not acquire sleeper space until Oakland). Price includes all Fiddle Train activities, meals and beer/wine on board when train is enroute, sleeper accommodations (upper or lower semi-private berth accommodations), shower in each car, dome car/lounge, concerts in Bend and Portland, shared hotel room in Bend 5/13 (single supplement for private room in Bend, add $50). Private (enclosed room) sleeping car space for one, two or three provides additional storage space, privacy and one's own sink and toilet facilities; $459 per person additional. Gratuities are not included.

$300 US per person non-refundable deposit by credit card required to hold space. Payment schedules happily accommodated. 2% discount on total price if you provide us with monthly postdated checks (sent at time of sign-up) or pay for entire trip at time of sign up. Payments outside of deposit are refundable until 60 days prior to departure. Reservations are transferrable. Trip is limited to 57 patrons. Liability release signature required.

Sign up today, by e-mailing Roots on the Rails at trains@sover.net, by calling 866-484-3669 (toll free in the US & Canada) or 802-258-1397.

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 and Culburnie Records shall not be held responsible 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.