The Leahys are a famous Canadian family of instrumentalists, singers and dancers, and one combination of them performed in North Battleford Wednesday at the Dekker Centre.
Six of 11 siblings, plus some of their children, sang, played and step danced their way into the hearts of a sold-out crowd.
The Leahys are a large family raised without a television on a farm in the small town of Lakefield, Ont. Music was their entertainment, handed down to them by their parents. Their family story is the subject of an Oscar winning documentary—The Leahys: Music Most of All.
They have been touring Canada and internationally since the early 1980s. Most play more than one instrument and all step dance. The family also hosts a summer music camp where they teach music and step dancing.
Performing at the Dekker Centre were Maria, Julie, Erin, Denise, Siobheann and Frank, plus four young Leahys who amazed the crowd with their fiddle playing, step dancing and accordion playing.
There were Celtic and traditional pieces, but also other genres and styles as the Leahy family has a wide variety of musical interests.
