First Couple of Canadian Music

If you're a Dayton-based fan of Celtic music, you've probably seen Natalie MacMaster on stage. She's a true master of Cape Breton-style fiddle playing, and can dance while she does it. No matter how many times I see her do that, I can't figure how it's possible to keep the bow from skipping around on the strings while she steps. It's amazing to see.

In the time since Cityfolk first brought her to Dayton, she's married and had three kids. And she didn't marry the guy next door, she snagged another amazing Candian fiddler, Donnell Leahy, who's the oldest sibling in Leahy. They're from the Ottawa Valley in Ontario and have a rich Celtic fiddling and stepdancing tradition all their own.

Both spouses are on the road a lot, and Natalie takes the kids with her when she can. Time together is precious. So they put together this "Masters of the Fiddle" tour with Natalie's band. They'll share the Victoria Theatre stage on February 4 and show you both styles of music, weaving their fiddles around each other. It's a rare treat for them, and for us as well. Twin fiddles can have an amazingly beautiful sound. And when those fiddles are wielded by players as skilled as MacMaster and Leahy, it's sure to bring some nuch-needed fire to our cold winter days.