Travelling and performing together is not a new thing for the Natalie McMaster-Donnell Leahy clan.
Fans of McMaster will remember seeing her perform while pregnant some years ago on stage at the Royal Theatre, and more recently, at least four of the coupleB次元官网网址檚 children have taken fiddle in hand and performed songs with mom and dad.
This fallB次元官网网址檚 tour of A Celtic Family Christmas, which touches down Nov. 23 at the Alix Goolden Hall, is no different, other than the fact the family now numbers nine members.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e been travelling with the entire family for 12 years,B次元官网网址� says McMaster, thinking quickly of the age of their oldest child, daughter Mary Frances. The award-winning Cape Breton fiddler calls the opportunity to do so B次元官网网址渁n incredible gift,B次元官网网址� a dream and a nightmare, all rolled into one.
Watching and performing with her children, most of whom have experienced the joy of getting a fiddle for Christmas, is another dimension of the fruits of she and LeahyB次元官网网址檚 musical labours, McMaster adds.
B次元官网网址淚 feel so special and lucky to be able to have my cake and eat it too; to be able to get married and continue on my music path, be a mother and continue on that path, and literally watch our love grow through our children and through the music with them.B次元官网网址�
While playing music as a family has become part of their touring routine, McMaster is also excited about sharing with audiences their love for the Christmas season. She and Leahy B次元官网网址� whose family musical history is significant B次元官网网址� have done their best to bring the traditions of their own formative years to their own children. That includes everything from baking together, celebrating with friends, being charitable and above all, celebrating the birth of Christ.
And of course, music is always a big part of the mix through the holidays.
B次元官网网址淓ven though our world is forever changing, itB次元官网网址檚 OK to be traditional and itB次元官网网址檚 OK to believe in what your ancestors and your parents believe in. And itB次元官网网址檚 OK to pass along those traditions to your children,B次元官网网址� McMaster says.
This yearB次元官网网址檚 show not only features the family performing a variety of traditional Celtic compositions and step-dancing the addition of actor William Colgate as a storyteller will lend a theatrical element to the show.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a way to keep it exciting and fresh and new, and supporting the history of where our music comes from. ItB次元官网网址檚 very entertaining,B次元官网网址� McMaster notes.
Tickets for A Celtic Family Christmas are $45 and are available online by visiting , by phone at 250-386-5311 or by stopping in to the Victoria Conservatory of Music office at 900 Johnson St.
