8 MARCH 18-24, 2015 UCW
WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM
On March 24, the Givens Performing Arts
Center will host Natalie MacMaster and
Donell Leahy, both masters of the fiddle, to
bring the haunting sounds of Ireland to the
area.
"We're very excited to have this talented
duo perform at Givens, especially this time
of year when many in our community are
celebrating their Irish ancestry and cultural
heritage during St. Patrick's Day," said Chad
Locklear the director of marketing at Givens
Performing Arts Center.
"This is also Donnell Leahy's second time
on GPAC's stage. He performed here with his
family band, Leahy, during a North Carolina
tour that was very well received by GPAC
audiences. We can't wait to hear what he
and Natalie MacMaster have planned for our
audiences and students."
The fiddle is a longstanding cornerstone
in traditional Irish music. Similar stringed
instruments were popular all over Europe. The instrument dates back to
around 900 A.D., and it is an integral element in Irish music. Irish music is
not the only genre that the fiddle is well suited for, however. In the hands
of masters such as Leahy and MacMaster, the instrument can bring life and
beauty to any song.
Both MacMaster and Leahy began their careers as fiddlers at an early age.
The love and skill that they each possess for the instrument and the musical
heritage behind it is readily evident in their playing. Another shared passion
that the couple has is their family. They were married in 2002 and now have
six children who are also learning to embrace their ancient musical heritage.
Balancing a career as a musician and as a parent can be challenging, but the
amount of dedication that they have for
their craft and their family leaves no room
for anything but success.
This tour is entitled Visions from
Cape Breton and Beyond, which gives an
interesting look into the unique culture
that strongly influenced both artists.
Cape Breton is located in Nova Scotia,
Canada, but it has a link to a magical
island across an ocean. Cape Breton has
the only existing Celtic culture in North
America. Scottish and Irish immigrants
brought their culture to the area in the
1700s and it has been cherished and
preserved in the area ever since. From
the language, to the food and the music,
the Celtic influence is obvious. The music
in particular will be on display on March
24. The tour will also include a visual
component composed of never before seen
footage of the musical duo, intended to
provide a look into life in Cape Breton and how the land, culture and people
shaped MacMaster and Leahy.
MacMaster and Leahy will perform Visions from Cape Breton and Beyond
on March 24 at 7:30 p.m. at the Givens Performing Arts Center on the campus
of the University of Pembroke. The GPAC is located at 1 University Drive
in Pembroke. Tickets can be purchased by calling 910-521-
6361 or by visiting www.uncp.edu/gpactickets. Ticket prices
range from $21 to $36. For more information, visit https://
www.uncp.edu/student-life/
involvement-opportunities/
givens-performing-arts-center.
Givens Performing Arts Center Brings the Sounds of Ireland to Town
by ERINN CRIDER
Husband and wife duo, Donnell Leahy and Natalie MacMaster will
bring a taste of Ireland to the Givens performing Arts Center Stage.
1221 Hay Street Fayetteville, NC
Monday - Friday 10 am - 8 pm; Saturday 10 pm - 6 pm; Sunday 1 pm - 6 pm
910.867.8700
1400 Walter Reed Road, Suite 130
(All American Freeway & Owen Drive)
HOURS: M-S 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.
www.LittleItalyFay.com
pizzeria &
restaurant
L
i
t
t
l
e
I
t
a
l
y
Casual Atmosphere • Parties & Catering
Spaghetti PESCATORE
with crabmeat & cherry tomato
ERINN CRIDER, Staff Writer.
COMMENTS? Editor@upandcom-
ingweekly.com.
