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Celebrate the Season with Leahy's Fiddling and Step-Dancing Extravaganza!

Friday, November 4, 2011

Leahy, a Canadian powerhouse of eight fiddling and step-dancing brothers and sisters, brings its super-charged holiday show, “A Leahy Family Christmas”, to Chandler Music Hall in Randolph, Vermont on Friday December 2 at 7:30 PM.

The Christmas tour gives the members of Leahy the chance to share a bit of the magic of the Christmas season that began when they were children and continues with their extended families today. These Leahy family traditions included not only honoring the sacredness of the season, but also partaking of good food, the company of family and friends, and copious amounts of music. “A Leahy Family Christmas” will offer audiences a peek through the window of the Leahy home to experience a bit of this holiday magic themselves.

Leahy is comprised of eight musical brothers and sisters who have been playing together their entire lives. The band's four acclaimed CDs – Leahy, Lakefield, In All Things, and Live – have worldwide sales of over half-a-million copies. On recent US tours, audiences have recognized that this family of instrumentalists, singers and dancers brings a rare level of originality and musicianship to the stage. This originality includes music composed, arranged and produced by members of the Leahy family. Known for their unique blend of musical styles and genres, their repertoire is more distinct than ever.

The band is riding high on a wave of strong reviews. Global Rhythm says “the band's sound is big, fast, and exuberant, punctuated by fierce hailstorms of solo and group step-dancing.” After opening for a performance by country music star Shania Twain, the Los Angeles Times reported, “For all of Twain’s showmanship and allure, the musical heart of the evening was … Leahy, an eight-member brother and sister team from Canada whose fiddle-driven instrumental music is augmented by keyboards, percussion and step-dancing. Its approach seems so gloriously free of commercial pollution … this is an act whose music is invigorating …”

The concentration of talent in this family and its sheer size are difficult to grasp. Reading the bios of each member - there are 11 siblings, but only 8 tour together at a time – and adding all the children between them is an exercise in higher math. For those who find it difficult to comprehend spending a week's vacation with a family, the thought of combining the stress of touring with seven siblings and assorted children, nieces and nephews is almost incomprehensible.

Donnell Leahy, the acknowledged leader of the clan, is baffled by reactions like this, “because we grew up in a family where we were disciplined and we had to work and we had to do a pile of things. And if you didn't get along, you better start getting along. Then it became a pack mentality. If you were the one being a jerk, if you will, you had ten other people ganging up on you, saying, 'Smarten up!'. We were always pulled, we were challenged to keep up in all aspects.” Rather than a group of individuals thrown together by circumstance, the family is a support group committed to ensuring the growth of all members.

Chandler’s holiday bazaar featuring the work of more than 50 area artisans and specialty food vendors will be open before the performance.

Their concert at Chandler will feature Christmas favorites, original seasonal pieces, as well as the typical Leahy family fare that audiences have come to love. Reserved tickets for this special holiday performance are $42.50 in advance, $47.50 on the day of the show. A limited number of $10 seats are available through the box office only. Tickets can be ordered online, or by calling the box office between 3 and 6 PM weekdays at 802-728-6464. This performance is sponsored by Randolph National Bank, VPR and The Point. Chandler Music Hall is physically accessible.

For more information and for tickets please click here

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Celebrate the Season with Leahy's Fiddling and Step-Dancing Extravaganza!

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