Virtuoso Multi-Talented Canadian Family Ensemble Leahy Performs on the Kimmel Center World Pop Mix Series on March 25
March 13, 2007
The virtuosic and multi-talented Canadian family Celtic ensemble Leahy debuts at the Kimmel Center’s Verizon Hall on Sunday, March 25 at 1pm as part of the Verizon World Pop Mix series. The eight brothers and sisters first began their career with high-profile opening performances for Shania Twain’s 1999 tour, followed by double platinum sales for their self-titled debut. While their debut became a main stay in Country music, Leahy’s follow up release Lakefield transcended genres by fusing Celtic, pop, country, rock and folk influences. Leahy’s latest release In All Things is a melodic celebration of eclectic jigs and ballads as they continue to redefine eloquent fiddle playing with dramatic vocal strides in songs such as "High Places" and the haunting ballad "I Want You To Know."
This is the fifteenth concert in the Verizon World Pop Mix series. The next concert in the Kimmel Center's Verizon World Pop Mix Series is a performance by Buddy Guy and James Hunter on Thursday, April 5 at 8pm.
Tickets for Leahy are $34, $43, $48, and $56 can be purchased by calling 215-893-1999, online at www.kimmelcenter.org, or at the Kimmel Center box office, open daily from 10pm to 6pm and later on performance evenings. (Additional fees may apply.) For group sales call 215-893-5883.
A limited number of $10 tickets are available for every Kimmel Center Presents performance at the Kimmel Center. Tickets go on sale the day of the event and can be purchased at the Kimmel Center box office beginning 2.5 hours prior to curtain time and 11:30am for matinees. Limit one ticket per person.
As teens, the siblings who make up Leahy ensemble performed across Canada with their fiddle-playing father and champion step dancing mother. They quickly became favorites on the festival and fair circuit. A documentary profile, Leahy: Music Most Of All, won a 1985 Academy Award for Best Foreign Student Film. Following an extended break from performing, the members of Leahy reunited, and a deal with Virgin Records saw their career soar in dramatic fashion. The 1997 self-titled debut seized the public’s attention, and extensive touring (much of it as opening act for Shania Twain) boosted Leahy to phenomenal sales of double platinum (over 200,000) in Canada. It also sold impressively in the United States, where it reached No. 4 on the Billboard world music chart, Great Britain and Europe, proving that the Leahy sound travels well. The group snared Juno Awards for Best Instrumental Group and Best New Group in 1997, and took home the Best Country Group or Duo trophy the following year. The 2001 gold-selling Lakefield saw Leahy integrating vocal driven material into their expanding repertoire to fine effect, and In All Things now emerges as their strongest recording to date.
Their compelling career voyage has proven that a musical style defying easy definition can still find a large and wide audience. "It is liberating to see that there are no boundaries," stresses Donnell Leahy. "Over the course of a year, we perform at jazz, bluegrass, country and Celtic festivals. We play for classical audiences, we’ve played with heavy metal bands, and it works every time."
Kimmel Center Presents' 2006/2007 season is supported by: Mellon Financial Corporation, University of Pennsylvania Health System, National Endowment for the Arts, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, ARC Wheeler, The William Penn Foundation, The Wachovia Foundation, Verizon Foundation, The Presser Foundation, Philadelphia Music Project and Dance Advance, Initiatives of The Pew Charitable Trust administered by The University of the Arts. American Airlines is the Official Airline of Kimmel Center Presents. Toyota is the Official Vehicle of Kimmel Center Presents Jazz and World Pop programming. NBC-10 is a Media Partner for Kimmel Center Presents. The Philadelphia Inquirer, the Philadelphia Daily News, and Philly.com are media sponsors for the Great Orchestras on Tour series.
FREE AT THE KIMMEL events are made possible through the Wachovia Gateway to the Arts Community Access Program supported by a generous grant from Wachovia Foundation.
KIMMEL CENTER PRESENTS
Sunday, March 25, 2007 | 1 pm
Verizon Hall
Verizon World Pop Mix
Leahy
Siobheann Leahy, bass, piano, fiddle, singer, dancer
Donnell Leahy, fiddle, dancer
Maria Leahy, guitar, piano, fiddle, singer, dancer
Agnes Leahy, dancer, piano, fiddle, singer
Doug Leahy, fiddle, dancer
Erin Leahy, keyboards, fiddle, singer, dancer
Angus Leahy, fiddle, piano, dancer
Frank Leahy, drums, dancer
FREE AT THE KIMMEL EVENT
Sunday, March 25, 2007 | 11:30am
Commonwealth Plaza
McDade School of Irish Dance
Dancers from the McDade School will perform rich traditions of Irish step and figure dancing. Dancers from the McDade School received awards from the 2006 Mid-Atlantic Oireachtas, Championship of Irish Dancing. Prior to Leahy ticketed performance in Verizon Hall.
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