Folk music implies something everyone can hear and enjoy — all races, nationalities, lifestyles, all ages. It’s all about inclusiveness.
So, it’s not surprising that, this weekend, at Tudhope Park in Orillia, the stellar lineup at this year’s Mariposa Folk Festival will include the princes and princesses of Canadian folk music’s Royal Family –the Next Generation Leahy.
The eight offspring of Frank Leahy Sr. (who passed away in May of last year), and grandmother Julie have carved out a very successful career out of hybrid Celtic/country/folk, fiddling and step dancing their way to a handful of Juno awards, and touring the world on their own merits and backing up Shania Twain on several of her records.
Now, it’s their kids’ turn; the six children of Doug and Jennifer Leahy will take to the main stage at Mariposa on Saturday evening. To Doug, that the youngsters took up music so totally comes as no surprise.
“At a very early ages, they showed that music moved them; they'd get up and dance and show real enjoyment. Cecilia, when she was a baby, would crawl to where the music was being played in our house so she could thump her feet and clap to it.
Cecilia — now eight — plays a variety of instruments, as do her siblings; Adele, age 13, Gregory, 12, Angus, 10, Joseph, 7 and Evelyn, 5.
And Doug doesn’t mind telling you, there is sibling rivalry among his musicians.
“There is definitely an element of competitiveness in most people. We always say that music is something you share. The kids share music with their cousins and friends and family. We make sure that each kid has their own instrument that they play, that no one else plays or they play the best.”
And Doug Leahy adds, playing outdoor venues like Mariposa is something his boys and girls avidly look forward to.
“Because our show is so full of energy, it's the perfect outlet for us to play. Knowing that Mariposa is such a great festival and that it's sort of local for us, it's a show to play. We prepare harder for ‘local’ shows, and get ready differently.”
The ageless Rita Coolidge headlines this year’s event, along with such acts as The Good Family, Ken Whiteley and a host of others.
Mariposa, takes place at Tudhope Park in Orillia, from Friday night to Sunday night, July 8 through 10. Tickets are available online.
