Athena McKown

Hang around B.C.’s fiddle scene and at some point you’re sure to meet Athena McKown, who hosts the popular old-time jams with Paul Silveria at Vancouver’s the ANZA club for the Pacific Bluegrass & Old Time Society. For some 20 years, Athena has fronted numerous ceilidh, contra and square dance bands, including our school square dance band in 2025.

A fine teacher, Athena will be leading several fiddle sessions at Cowichan including “Crooked Old-Time Tunes” as well as “Rabbits and Other Critters” with Paul Silveria. We’re not sure what critters will be featured but it could include tunes like Big Eyed Rabbit, Little Rabbit, Who Killed The Rooster, Ground Hog, Cluck Old Hen, Shove that Pig’s Foot a Little Further in the Fire, Flop Eared Mule, Ducks on the Millpond  and … the list is endless. Hmmm. They might have to split this into two sessions.

Athena has also performed at festivals and currently plays in Hammer, Pick and Saw, a trio of fiddle, banjo and pedal steel, which honours the old time tradition while exploring a unique twist.

Athena is also a professor of forest sciences at the University of British Columbia.