For centuries the fiddle was damned by religious authorities as the devil’s instrument for its ability to induce rapture and abandon. So it’s fitting that the second annual Driven Bow fiddle festival (running February 8-11) will take place in a de-sanctified former church: Kitsilano’s St. James Hall.

On the Friday opening night four of Canada’s leading fiddlers-Daniel Lapp, Kierah, Kathleen Nisbet, and Trent Freeman-share tunes in the round, playing solo and together.

On Saturday, The Revelers from Louisiana cook up some wicked Cajun-flavoured fiddle-and-accordion gumbo.

On Sunday, Cape Breton fiddler Ashley MacIsaac generates his hallmark fire and brimstone, backed by young guitar-ace Quinn Bachand.

And on Monday, two of Quebec ’s top trios--Genticorum & De Temps Antan--play traditional jigs and reels to soothe the devil’s lonely heart and put some spark in his hooves.