When he’s onstage, Scott Woods is always moving.
The fiddler will swing his instrument behind his back as he plays. He’ll perform somersaults during songs. His stunts have earned him three Canadian Novelty Fiddle Championship titles and the nickname “the Flippin’ Fiddler.”
He’s a big ball of energy. And that’s before he stands on a barrel.
“It’s one of the toughest tricks I do,” he said. “You have to get on it slowly.”
Woods walks on the barrel as it rolls across the stage, playing his fiddle all the while. He’s been doing this trick for so long it’s second nature.
“It’s fun stuff,” he said.
Yorktonites can expect the barrel stunt, along with others, when Woods comes to town in November.
Woods and his band are hosting an Old Time Christmas show across the country. The Yorkton show begins at 7 p.m. at St. Andrew’s United Church on Nov. 15. It will run for about two hours.
Woods said it will be completely different from their usual shows.
“It’s Christmas music from start to finish...with our own fiddle spin,” he said.
“It’s very grassroots,” he added. “We keep the Christ part of Christmas in it.”
The tour begins in Beausejour, Manitoba, on Nov. 14. Their second show will be in Yorkton.
Woods’ band was in Yorkton last June. This will be their first Christmas show in western Canada in over 12 years.
“People [in the west] said they’d love to see our Christmas show,” Woods said.
The band will be performing 34 shows in 34 days across five provinces. It’s a big undertaking. The band has gone through long tours, but not during the Christmas season.
“It’s going to be tough,” said Woods, who drives the tour bus. “Some of the drives are pretty long.
“Hope the bus keeps working.”
Woods will be joined by other talented fiddlers, drummers, and guitarists. Leo Stock, 13, is joining the band for the first time during the tour as a step dancer.
“I know the crowd is going to love him,” Woods said.
Woods thinks Christmas shows are important because of the strong memories they evoke.
“It’s a nostalgic time, whatever age [you are],” he said. “It brings out a lot of strong emotions.
“We try and celebrate that with music.”
Woods has seen how his band’s music resonates with people and he hopes the Christmas show is no different.
“When we can connect with the audience, it’s heartwarming,” he said.
Woods is thrilled to play a lot of the Christmas classics, but he’s particularly excited for an instrumental rendition of “O Holy Night.”
“Nothing says Christmas any clearer,” he said. “It’s one I always look forward to.
“You almost get goosebumps.”
Ticket prices are $25 for adults and $10 for children age six-12. Kids under five get in for free. Tickets can be purchased at the St. Andrew’s United Church office or by calling 306-783-4157.
