Greg, try finding the contact info for Grady Poe, who manages the PEI Acadian band Barachois. Super-nice folks. We went to see their pre-Barachois act ("house parties for tourists") at some resort on the island, about ten years ago--got invited to play, and because we'd been camping for a rainy week with small kids, they lent us their cottage for a weekend. Turned out Grady and I had been introduced to playing trad music by the same person--my 70's fiddle teacher Nathan Curry.

PEI fiddle style is very cool--mix of Acadian (west) and Scottish (east) mostly, less ornate than Cape Breton style. Driving and lively. And it's home to some excellent songwriter/performers.

The weather in October is a little iffy. But go for it. It's a beautiful spot and the tourists have all gone home by them.

Joke: How do you clear a dance floor in PEI?

A: You get on the PA and announce "There's a phone call in the lobby for Mr or Mrs Arsenault."

(About 40-50% of PEI Acadiens are Arsenaults, including the Barachois folks.)

Bill Cameron (say hi to Grady if you find him, I lost his contact info)