From Lakefield, Ontario, the Leahy family performs traditional Irish music and step-dance in Verizon today. The Leahys grew up with music as a part of their daily lives on the family farm. This afternoon is their Kimmel Center debut. What did you think of the show?
Leahy was fantastic! I really wasn't familiar with them and didn't know what to expect. They are great musicians, dancers, singers, composers. Leahy did 3 things I've never seen a band/group do: At the end of the first half they dropped their instruments and all 7 of them danced. (Their Irish step dancing would have made Michael Flatley green with envy.) Later, 3 brothers and 1 sister played their fiddles while dancing. And that same sister--Erin--turned her fiddle over and played it upside down. Erin also played amazing ragtime music on piano--I could just imagine Scott Joplin smiling. Donnell's violin "sang" in many different genres. A very enjoyable afternoon. I was only sorry that more kids were not in the audience. Leahy is a group that all ages can enjoy.
I hope the Kimmel Center will bring Leahy back--how about when we host the World Stepdancing competion?