Music is a family affair for the Leahys.
Doug Leahy and his wife, Jennifer, are performing with six of their children at the Port Theatre during The Next Generation Leahy, presented by GeeDan Productions, Tuesday (May 31) at 7:30 p.m.
Doug, as a member of the Canadian Celtic group Leahy, became known for his fiddle playing along with his siblings.
Now his children are carrying on the tradition.
“It’s very exciting for us,” said Doug Leahy. “They love it so much. They do have a lot of talent. It’s great to see that they are enjoying working with that talent.”
The show features performances by Adele, 13; Gregory, 12; Angus, 10; Cecelia, 9; Joseph, 7 and Evelyn, 5.
Leahy said the couple also has two other young children who aren’t in the show, Douglas and Elisa.
“They are the apprentices,” he said.
Leahy said growing up he didn’t have friends who were performing fiddle music, but that’s not the case with his children, who are surrounded by music.
“They get inspired by that and I say if a kid is inspired there is no limit to what they can accomplish,” said Leahy.
He said because of the young ages of the children, many people mistake the show as aimed at kids, but it is for all ages.
“When people see the show they will be blown away with what the kids can do at such a young age,” he said. “It’s a show for all ages. It’s an awe-inspiring and uplifting show.”
Besides playing the fiddle, piano, cello and accordion, the children will also step dance.
The family has also released The Next Generation Leahy album in December of 2015.
“We tried to capture the personality of all the children,” said Leahy.
The group has shared the stage with The Chieftains, Fernando Varela, Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy during their North American tour.
Tickets are $35 and are available in advance by calling 250-754-8550 or www.porttheatre.com.
For more information please go to www.thenextgenerationleahy.com.
arts@nanaimobulletin.com
