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Celtic fiddling power couple Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy, along with their children and some of the world’s most talented Celtic musicians, are set to take the stage at the Bankhead Theater in Livermore this weekend as part of their first tour in the area in over 20 years.
The concert, titled “Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy and The Celtic All-Stars”, will be a journey through Celtic music, tracing its ancient origins and exploring its modern evolution and the connections between various national styles, according to Livermore Valley Arts.
“I can’t believe it’s been 20 years,” MacMaster told the Pleasanton Weekly in an interview ahead of the show. “We’re coming back, California.”
Growing up in Cape Breton, an island located in Nova Scotia, Canada, MacMaster said she was constantly surrounded by fiddling. Not only was that style of violin playing very popular where she grew up, but her uncle was in fact a renowned Cape Breton fiddler and she also had two cousins who played.
But even after picking up the violin at the age of 9, MacMaster said she would have never imagined that fiddling would end up becoming her career.
“All the fiddlers had jobs,” she said. “I never even thought about making this my life in that way.”
In fact, she originally had plans on becoming a substitute teacher.
But, as she began to release albums at the age of 16, MacMaster started to gain some traction in the musical world. By the late ’90s, she began playing prominent shows such as the Juno Awards show in Ontario, Canada.
“I didn’t expect I’d be ever recording until I was well into my adult years,” she said, adding that all of the encouragement she received early on in her career really gave her the confidence and motivation to pursue music as a career.
Since then, MacMaster has gone on to receive multiple awards, was nominated for a grammy and performed alongside many well-recognized musicians such as The Chieftains, Faith Hill and Carlos Santana.
She is also coming off the heels of publishing her memoir, titled “I Have a Love Story”, which she said dives more into her journey becoming a world-renowned fiddler, as well as her relationship with fellow renowned fiddler — and her husband — Leahy, who is just as much of a musical powerhouse as MacMaster.
“This powerhouse couple has sold out over 1,000 shows in North America,” according to an LVA press release. “Their combined careers have seen them record with a star-studded list of collaborators … World-class performers in their own right, each has found time to tour and perform with some of the biggest names in music.”
In her book, she said she offers an intimate look into her life and how she managed balancing her career with being a mother to seven children, all thanks to the love of those around her.
In regard to the Livermore show, MacMaster said that being someone who has deep ties to her Celtic heritage and culture, she really wants to revive Celtic music and delve into its history, while also showcasing it through a modern lens.
And even though MacMaster said it has been a while since she has performed on stage, she is excited for the tour and trusts her lifelong musical experience will carry her through each performance.
“It’s fun, it’s sweet, it’ll make you cry, it’ll make you laugh,” MacMaster said of the upcoming show. “I just feel so fortunate to make music with such great people.”
In addition to her husband and their daughter Mary Frances, MacMaster will be joined on stage by Scottish folk singer Karen Matheson OBE, four-time All-Ireland Champion banjo player Enda Scahill and acclaimed Scottish piper Ross Ainslie.
“Tri-Valley audiences will not want to miss this one-of-a-kind night filled with fiery fiddling, electrifying energy, and the heart and soul of Celtic music,” the LVA press release stated.
The performance is set to begin at 3 p.m. Sunday (March 22).
In addition to the Celtic concert, the Bankhead will be closing out the month of March with a series of energetic and notable performances.
The venue will welcome the ABT Studio Company, billed as a showcase of the next generation of American Ballet Theatre performers, on Friday evening (March 20). The next day will feature two shows: a Del Valle Fine Arts concert featuring award-winning pianist James (Zijian) Wei at 3 p.m. and Winners of the San Francisco Comedy Competition at 8 p.m.
Next Thursday night (March 26), American actor, singer and dancer Matthew Morrison will return to the Bankhead for a “soul-stirring performance that blends music, dance, and raw vulnerability”, according to the LVA website. “More than just a show, it’s a journey into the heart of what makes us human, inviting the audience to explore their own authenticity and wonder.”
The Seeds of Music Academy, a music school based in Pleasanton, will be hosting a showcase next Friday (March 27) that will feature an eclectic range of musical genres and artists ranging from rock bands like Led Zeppelin, to modern stars like Chappell Roan.
Then, to end the month, audiences next Sunday (March 29) will be able to experience a performance of the award-winning production of “The Other Mozart”, which brings to life the forgotten story of Nannerl Mozart — Amadeus’ “equally gifted sister whose genius was lost to history.”
For Bankhead tickets and more information, visit www.livermorearts.org.
