The Fitzgeralds: Fiddling and Step Dancing Group making stops in Leader and Kindersley

By Mallory Cawthra

Get ready for a uniquely energetic and uplifting fiddling and step-dancing group! The Fitzgeralds will be performing at the Leader Community Centre on Monday, April 4, at 7:30 p.m. Presented by the Leader and District Arts Council (LDAC) in partnership with the Organization of Saskatchewan Arts Councils (OSAC). The Fitzgeralds are a talented family group of siblings hailing from outside Canada’s capital near Ottawa Valley, Ontario.

The Fitzgeralds are embarking on a Saskatchewan OSAC tour, performing 15 shows in 17 days, including a stop in Kindersley on April 13 at the Norman Richie Community Centre.

The Fitzgeralds website describes how the group grew up in a musical household and toured internationally with their family band, Everything Fitz. The Fitzgeralds feature 3-time Canadian Grand Master Fiddle and Ontario Open Step Dance Champions – Tom, Kerry and Julie Fitzgerald. Their website outlines how they have steadily evolved their fiddle music style and repertoire to include Celtic, jazz, bluegrass, French-Canadian and pop while creating their unique sound and style. They have performed with Ireland’s Nathan Carter, Leahy, Natalie MacMaster, Cherish the Ladies, Tommy Hunter, Bowfire, Sharon Shannon, Liz Carroll, We Banjo 3, World-Fest, and Silver Dollar City, Branson, MO.

Accomplished Canadian Fiddler Natalie MacMaster commented (from The Fitzgeralds website), “The Fitzgeralds are standout musicians in our Canadian music industry… The calibre of musicianship is very high – I think together they are a beautiful blend of gorgeous fiddle music and top rate, absolutely exhilarating dance routines.” One of their step dance videos, involving a mix of Tap and Irish step, reached over 7 million views on Facebook via Dancefloor.

On April 4, there will be a raffle draw, following intermission at The Fitzgeralds performance, with the first prize winner receiving an original painting by Rylan Cocks of Rylan Cocks Artistry; Rylan is a recent graduate of Leader Composite School (LCS) and current student at Emily Carr University of Art and Design in Vancouver. The proceeds of the 50/50 raffle draw will go towards the LDAC Scholarship, which is presented to a qualifying LCS graduate who is pursuing post-secondary education in the Arts.

Tickets are available through the Town of Leader Office, on Eventbrite.ca or at the door.