{"id":44562,"date":"2019-12-14T08:27:52","date_gmt":"2019-12-14T13:27:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/?p=44562"},"modified":"2019-12-14T08:27:55","modified_gmt":"2019-12-14T13:27:55","slug":"on-stage-the-clairvoyants-bring-the-impossible-to-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/?p=44562","title":{"rendered":"On Stage:  The Clairvoyants bring the impossible to life"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span lang=\"EN\"><strong>By Denny Dyroff<\/strong>, <\/span><em><span lang=\"EN\">Entertainment Editor, The Times<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_10758\" style=\"width: 210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/clair.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10758\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-10758\" src=\"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/clair-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-10758\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Clairvoyants<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cThe Clairvoyants\u201d &#8212; Am\u00e9lie van Tass\u00a0and\u00a0Thommy Ten\u00a0&#8212; are visiting the area for a show on December 14 at Xcite Center at Parx Casino (2999 Street Road, Bensalem, 888-588-7279,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/parxcasino.com\/\">https:\/\/<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/parxcasino.com\/\">parx<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/parxcasino.com\/\">casino.com<\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">They are an Austrian magician and mentalist duo and have been performing together since 2011.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">If you watch videos of their performances, you\u2019ll likely say \u2013 what? \u2013 and then follow by saying &#8212; how?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">With Ten as the front man and van Tass as the mentalist, they put on an amazing show with a blindfolded van Tass delivering information that she could not possibly know.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">You could be 50 yards away from her and she still could tell you the make of your underwear, its style and probably even the size.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cRight now, we\u2019re doing one-nighters all over the United States,\u201d said Ten, during a recent phone interview from a stop at the Horse Shoe Casino. \u201cMost of it is at casinos.<\/span><!--more--><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cWe grew up in different cities in Austria \u2013 St. P\u00f6lten and Krems. Both cities are near Vienna, where we now live.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">The two have been together for almost a decade.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cWe met in 2011,\u201d said Ten, whose real name is Thomas H\u00f6schele. \u201cI was performing in a show and I needed an assistant. A friend of mine introduced me to her.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cShe was always fascinated by dancing and acting onstage and I was always interested in magic. Together, we got interested in mentalism.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">In late 2011, they began to develop their \u201csecond sight\u201d act, and two months later brought it on stage for the first time. Within a year they had developed a full-length show. Shortly thereafter, they started touring Europe.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">In 2014, they received their first long term contract in America.\u00a0After a six-month run in the show \u201cThe Illusionarium,\u201d they were offered a featured spot in the largest touring magic show in the world, \u201cThe Illusionists.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">The Clairvoyants\u2019 next challenge was to compete in the biggest talent show in the world &#8212; \u201cAmerica\u2019s Got Talent.\u201d After four months, six different performances and more than 100,000 contestants, they finished runner-up to <a title=\"Grace VanderWaal\" href=\"https:\/\/eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FGrace_VanderWaal&amp;data=02%7C01%7C%7C95902e565e464def9e9b08d78069b8c2%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637119064076529692&amp;sdata=ghHeebZoTqfMYUFlM9D0RvqBLfgnSot0P7LVgdYZdmE%3D&amp;reserved=0\">Grace VanderWaal<\/a> on <a title=\"America's Got Talent (season 11)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/America%27s_Got_Talent_(season_11)\">Season<\/a> 11 of the hit TV show. In October 2016 they appeared, together with winner\u00a0Grace Vanderwaal, at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">More recently, they were personally invited to compete in the AGT spinoff,\u00a0\u201cAmerica\u2019s Got Talent: The Champions\u201d in early 2019 and they impressed the judges with every performance.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cWe had a job performing on a cruise ship,\u201d said Ten. \u201cWe were living in a small cabin together and fell in love not long after<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Van Tass, whose real name is Christina Gruber, and Ten were awarded \u201cThe German Champions of Mentalism &#8212; Magicians of the Year 2015,\u201d and, also in 2015, were chosen as the \u201cWorld Champions of Mentalism.\u201d In April 2017, the Academy of Magical Arts and The Magic Castle Hollywood named the duo \u201cStage Magicians of the Year 2016.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cWe work on it every day,\u201d said Ten. \u201cOtherwise, it wouldn\u2019t work. We are challenging ourselves every day.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cIt\u2019s all about the connection with Am\u00e9lie and myself. The cool thing is that it works anywhere \u2013 and all the time. We don\u2019t have any acts that were inspirations. We always try to go our own way.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Video link for The Clairvoyants \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/BdivjT4yfRo\">https:\/\/youtu.be\/BdivjT4yfRo<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">The show at Xcite Center at Parx Casino on December 14 will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25-$65.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/illusionists-1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-10759 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/illusionists-1-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" \/><\/a>Ironically, \u201cThe Illusionists,\u201d the touring production that introduced the Clairvoyants to America as a live act, is playing this weekend in Wilmington.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">From December 13-15, the Playhouse at Rodney Square (Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thegrandwilmington.org\/\">www.thegrandwilmington.org<\/a>) is presenting \u201cThe Illusionists \u2013 Magic of the Holiday.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Full of hilarious magic tricks, death-defying stunts and acts of breathtaking wonder, \u201cThe Illusionists\u201d has shattered box office records worldwide and thrilled audiences of all ages with a mind-blowing spectacular showcasing the jaw-dropping talents of six of the most incredible illusionists on earth.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">This production\u2019s line-up includes The Elusive, Valentin Azema; The Trickster, Darren Partridge; The Transformationalists, Sos &amp; Victoria; The Daredevil,\u00a0Jonathan Goodwin; The Manipulator, Florian Sainve; and The Showman, Steve Valentine.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">There will be three performances at The Playhouse on Rodney Square \u2013 December 14 at 2 and 8 p.m. and December 15 at 2 p.m. Ticket prices start at $40.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">If Doobie Decibel System were a Member Decimal System, the key number might be 2534.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_10760\" style=\"width: 360px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/dds.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10760\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-10760\" src=\"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/dds-350x250.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"350\" height=\"250\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-10760\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Doobie Decibel System<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">For years, Doobie Decibel System\u00a0(DDS), which is performing on December 15 at 118 North (118 North Wayne Avenue, Wayne, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.118northwayne.com\/\">www.118northwayne.com<\/a>), had two configurations &#8212; DDS Duo featuring\u00a0Jason Crosby and Roger McNamee and DDS Band featuring Jason Crosby, Roger McNamee, Pete Sears, Dan \u201cLebo\u201d Lebowitz and Jay Lane.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">At other times, there was Doobie Decibel System Trio with Crosby, McNamee and Lebowitz. It was a duo (2), a quintet (5) or a trio (3). The current line-up continues the evolutionary process.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cWe\u2019ve added a fourth member, which is a pretty cool thing,\u201d said McNamee, during a phone interview Thursday from a stop in Philadelphia.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">With duo-quintet-trio-quartet, DDS\u2019s line-up progression could be expressed decimally as 2-5-3-4.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cI think you\u2019re really going to like what you hear,\u201d said McNamee. \u201cOur new member is Erica Jeski. She\u2019s a classically trained vocalist so now we have four-part harmonies.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cDoobie Decibel System hasn\u2019t played that many shows this year. This is our first run playing as a quartet. With the addition of Erica, it\u2019s unbelievably fun.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">The current Doobie Decibel System line-up features Crosby on guitar, fiddle and vocals; Lebowitz on lead guitar, lap steel and vocals; Jeski on vocals; and McNamee on acoustic guitar and vocals.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">The band is based in the San Francisco Bay area. For this East Coast tour, the veteran musicians are \u201criding the rails.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cWe\u2019re a small group with little instruments,\u201d said McNamee. \u201cSo, when we come to the East Coast, we get around a lot on trains \u2013 Amtrak and local service. For example, after our show in Asbury Park, we\u2019ll use New Jersey Transit and Amtrak to get to Philly. We started doing this two tours ago.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Doobie Decibel System was the brainchild of Crosby and McNamee. Both musicians have impressive credentials.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Crosby has been a member of Robert Randolph and the Family Band and the Susan Tedeschi Band, among others. In recent years, Crosby has played with Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Carlos Santana, Pete Seeger, Eric Clapton, Bruce Springsteen and Dave Matthews in various configurations.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">McNamee is lead vocalist and plays bass and guitar with Moonalice, performing 90-100 shows a year. Additionally, Lebowitz has played or recorded with ALO, Lebo &amp; Friends, Jack Johnson, Phil Lesh, Steve Kimock Band, and Brokedown in Bakersfield.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Moonalice has leveraged technology to help build a national audience. The Moonalice Couch TourTM on <a href=\"http:\/\/moonalice.com\/\">Moonalice.com<\/a> enables fans to watch any show on a smartphone, PC or tablet without an app. Moonalice works with 24 poster artists to produce a unique poster that is given to guests at every concert.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Doobie Decibel System also supports the creative community by offering a commemorative poster by a well-known artist to fans at each show. Live streaming video in HD of every performance is available and archived for free listening via their website <a href=\"http:\/\/ddsband.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">DDSband.com<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Doobie Decibel System\u2019s debut album came out in 2015.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">It\u2019s fortunate for DDS that its fans are very supportive because they could listen to DDS music non-stop and never have to pay for it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cWe recorded 27 songs for that album and videos for all of them are up on our website (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.ddsband.com)\/\">http:\/\/www.ddsband.com)<\/a>,\u201d said McNamee, who lived in Delaware County for 20 years when his wife was the chair of the music department at Swarthmore College.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cWe also broadcast all our shows and then archive them on the site. And, we do a different poster for every show. We\u2019re big believers in the integration of music and art. We\u2019ve done 1,160 posters to date<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cWe started Doobie Decibel System about five years ago. In the Bay Area, members of the Grateful Dead have opened clubs \u2014 Bob Weir\u2019s Sweetwater (Music Hall &amp; Caf\u00e9) and Phil Lesh\u2019s Terrapin Crossroads.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cThey changed the scene dramatically. They provided a place where musicians could do \u2018friend\u2019 concerts with the main artist and his invited friends. Because of Lesh and Weir, the city has a new level of interest for local acts.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Doobie Decibel System bridges the gaps between generations and genres.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cWith Doobie Decibel System, we\u2019re playing psychedelic music, but it\u2019s playing in folk music style \u2013 playing electric guitar music as acoustic folk music,\u201d said McNamee. \u201cWe do covers of artists such as the Beatles, Grateful Dead and Pink Floyd \u2014 songs that emphasize harmonies.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Both Doobie Decibel System and Moonalice have new albums on the horizon.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cWe recorded the Moonalice album live in the studio in San Rafael,\u201d said McNamee. \u201cRight now, we\u2019re also working on finishing a new Doobie Decibel System album.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Doobie Decibel System will also be playing on December 16 at the Rising Sun Inn (898 Allentown Rd, Telford, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.risingsuninn.net\/\">www.risingsuninn.net<\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Video link for Doobie Decibel System \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/dkiyagFa22c\">https:\/\/youtu.be\/dkiyagFa22c<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">The show at 118 North on December 15 will start at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $5.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Other upcoming shows at 118 North are Brian Seymour on December 17, and Open Mic hosted by Raph Cutrufello on December 18.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_10761\" style=\"width: 360px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/dukes-2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10761\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-10761\" src=\"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/dukes-2-350x233.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"350\" height=\"233\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-10761\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Dukes of Destiny<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Another band that recently tweaked its line-up and took its sound to a higher level is playing the area this weekend \u2013 the Dukes of Destiny, who are headlining a show at Jamey\u2019s House of Music (32 South Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne, 215-477-9985, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.jameyshouseofmusic.com\/\">www.jameyshouseofmusic.com<\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EL\">The Dukes of Destiny, who have been treating fans to live performances of top-flight blues and soul music for almost three decades, are Arlyn Wolters (vocals), Ian Lande<\/span>r<span lang=\"EL\">(guitar, vocals), Bob Holden (drums, vocals),\u00a0Chicago Carl Snyder (keyboards, vocals), Rich Curtis (bass, vocals) and John Colgan-Davis (harmonica, vocals).<\/span><\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe have a new guitarist,<span lang=\"EL\">\u201d said during a phone interview Wednesday night from his home in the Mount Airy section of Philadelphia.<\/span> \u201cHe replaced our old guitarist AC Steel.<\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EL\">\u201c<\/span>The <span lang=\"EL\">new member <\/span>is <span lang=\"EL\">Ian Landes on guitar. <\/span>He is quite a good guitarist \u2013 and quite a good singer. <span lang=\"EL\">He\u2019s a bit of a younger guy who has played around Philly with his own band. AC Steel<\/span> left the Dukes because he <span lang=\"EL\">also has his own band The Galvanizers and he want<\/span>ed<span lang=\"EL\"> to concentrate on that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EL\">The new guy has added more depth and versatility to the Dukes of Destiny\u2019s sound.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EL\">\u201cIan is into blues and rock \u2013 and a lot of different things,\u201d said Colgan-Davis. \u201cHe has a different style than AC Steel. It\u2019s been fun working with him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EL\">\u201cWe\u2019ve also added some new material \u2013 soul songs like Marvin Gaye\u2014not just straight blues. We\u2019ve also added some swing songs. We like to get people moving.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EL\">In addition to performing at most of the clubs in the Tri-State area, the D<\/span>ukes of Destiny have <span lang=\"EL\">performed at the Pocono Blues Festival, the Waterfront Jam at Philadelphia\u2019s Penn\u2019s Landing, the State Street Blues Stroll in Media, the Bucks County R\u2019n\u2019B Picnic, the New Jersey Folk Festival and the Longwood Gardens Summer Concert Series.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EL\">\u201cFor the past few years, we\u2019ve had great years,\u201d said Colgan-Davis. \u201cWe played places we had never played before \u2013 like the Philadelphia Folk Festival. We also played places we really love like the Kennett Flash and the West Grove Friends Meeting.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EL\">\u201cWe played the Phoenixville Blues Festival and the Paoli Blues Festival. We really love playing the Kennett Flash. And, we love our Chester County crowd. They\u2019ve been coming to see us play for 14-15 years.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EL\">Chester County music fans and the Dukes of Destiny definitely have a love affair going.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EL\">\u201cWe did the Turks Head Festival in West Chester two years ago \u2013 and \u2018Rhythm and Roots\u2019 in Media,\u201d said Colgan-Davis. \u201cWe love the Flash \u2013 the intimacy and the sound system. And, we love what it stands for and what it means to Kennett Square.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EL\">\u201cWe love the people of Chester County and I really like the landscape of the area. It\u2019s always a special place for us. Chester County gigs have the vibe of old coffee houses. We put out the energy and the audience give sit back to us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EL\">Audiences that like to get out of their seats and dance are a big part of the Dukes of Destiny live experience.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EL\">\u201cWe get all kinds of dancers at our shows,\u201d said Colgan-Davis. \u201cWe\u2019ve been playing a lot more festivals. We\u2019re back on the festival circuit. I love playing festivals for a couple reasons. You get a whole bunch of people playing together. That takes me back to the 60s and the be-ins back then.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EL\">\u201cSun Ra had said the message that music is the healing force of the universe and you feel that at festivals. And, kids get to hear real music played by real people. With a band like us that plays off the crowd, a festival show is a real exciting thing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EL\">Colgan-Davis\u2019s introduction to the blues came when he was in high school at Central High in Philadelphia and saw the Stones performing with Howling Wolf on the \u201cShindig\u201d TV show. Howlin\u2019 Wolf, whose real name was Chester Burnett, was an American blues singer, guitarist and harmonica player who was one of the premier Chicago bluesmen.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EL\">\u201cWhen I saw Howlin\u2019 Wolf on that TV show, I jumped up and said \u2014 this is what I want to do,\u201d said Colgan-Davis. \u201cI started playing blues when I was 16. My dad gave me a grab bag for my birthday and a harmonica was in it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EL\">\u201cI started listening to blues records a lot \u2014 players like Muddy Waters and James Cotton. I was really into Chicago blues of the 1950s and 1960s when I started. Then, I got into guys like Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee. One of the first bands I played in was a Philly blues band called Sweet Stavin\u2019 Chain.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EL\">A while later, the Dukes of Destiny became the main musical vehicle for Colgan-Davis.\u00a0At first, they played house parties in Germantown, generating word of mouth interest. A gig at the now-defunct Taker\u2019s Cafe in Germantown launched their public career<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EL\">\u201cThe Dukes got together in the mid-1980s,\u201d said Colgan-Davis. \u201cSteve Brown started the band and it began with that gig at Taker\u2019s Caf\u00e9. Steve died of pancreatic cancer in 2000 and I\u2019ve been the leader ever since. Steve has always been in my mind. We did a tribute concert to him a few years ago and we still do some of his favorites in our set.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EL\">\u201cWe have a whole range of music in what we can play \u2014 everything from Chicago blues to old-school soul. What\u2019s great about the Dukes is that we\u2019re a band. We use each other\u2019s strengths. Arlyn and I do the bulk of the singing but everybody in the band sings.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">The Dukes of Destiny will also be playing on January 25 at the Mermaid Inn in Philadelphia.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EL\">Video link for the Dukes of Destiny \u2013<\/span> <span lang=\"EL\"><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/j5fM0sugB5w\">https:\/\/youtu.be\/j5fM0sugB5w<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">The show at the Jamey\u2019s House of Music will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 at the door.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">When Natalie MacMaster first started performing in this area, she was a versatile musician in her early 20s from Nova Scotia \u2013 a talented fiddler, vocalist and step dancer with several impressive albums on Rounder Records.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Celtic-Family-Christmas-Banner-FG.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-10762\" src=\"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Celtic-Family-Christmas-Banner-FG-327x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"327\" height=\"300\" \/><\/a>That era in her career was more than a 25 years ago. Fortunately, MacMaster is still fiddling, dancing, singing and making music. She also has been making babies over the last two decades.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Even more fortunate for her fans, MacMaster has found a way to combine music and motherhood.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cI have been making music and making babies,\u201d said MacMaster, during a phone interview last week from a tour stop in Fairfield, Connecticut.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cI have seven children \u2013 ages 14, 12, 10, 8, 7, 5 and 1. All of them except the last two were 18 months apart. The five oldest are in the show with me and my husband Donnell.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">The show is \u201cNatalie MacMaster &amp; Donnell Leahy: A Celtic Family Christmas.\u201d The concert will be presented by the Sellersville Theater (24 West Temple Avenue, Sellersville, 215-257-5808,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.st94.com\/\">www.st94.com<\/a>) on December 15. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cOur five children in the show song, fiddle, dance and play piano,\u201d said MacMaster. \u201cThey all do everything. I taught them dancing and fiddle when they were about four. They do all take to it naturally. It\u2019s organic. It\u2019s in their genes. They love being onstage.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">For Leahy, playing onstage with family members is nothing new \u2013 especially with his history in Leahy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Leahy is a Canadian <a title=\"Folk music\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Folk_music\">folk music<\/a> group. The eight band members, all from the Leahy family of 11 siblings, are from Lakefield, Ontario and have been touring Canada and internationally since the early 1980s, when they were known as The Leahy Family.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cI\u2019ve been together with my husband for 17 years,\u201d said MacMaster. \u201cHe heard my music with my \u2018Four in the Floor\u2019 album. He was 23 and I was 19.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Back then, MacMaster was like a one-woman \u201cRiverdance\u201d &#8212; playing fiddle feverishly and performing intense step dancing throughout almost every song.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cMy step dancing has slowed down a little after seven pregnancies,\u201d said MacMaster, whose resume includes a GRAMMY Award win and nomination, a JUNO Award win and seven nominations, 19 East Coast Music Association awards, and five Canadian Country Music Association\u2019s \u201cFiddler of the Year\u201d nods \u2014 as well as three honorary doctorates, an induction into the Casino Nova Scotia Hall of Fame, and a member of the Order of Canada.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cI did dance through all my pregnancies, but I had to keep the cardio down. I could do the steps, but I had to cut back on the hopping.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">MacMaster didn\u2019t cut back on her recording. She has released six albums since her first child was born. The most recent LP is \u201cSketches,\u201d which was just released on November 1 via Linus Records.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">According to MacMaster, \u2018Sketches\u201d is \u201ca moment during my 47th year of life, my 37th year of fiddling, my 16th year of marriage, and my 13th year of parenting. It\u2019ll be a moment of joyous appreciation inspired by years of parenting, marriage, friendships, music, and life.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">This is a professional life that includes performances with B\u00e9la Fleck, Faith Hill, Carlos Santana, The Chieftains, Sharon, Lois &amp; Bram, Buddy MacMaster and Jesse Cook, as well as award-winning collaborations with Yo-Yo Ma, and a blended line with award-winning collaborations with Leahy and their children.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cWith this show, we have our band \u2013 bass, guitar, piano and myself and Donnell &#8212; and our kids contribute quite a lot,\u201d said MacMaster.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cAnd, we have a video component as well. We did an American TV Christmas special and it\u2019s getting aired in the states. A lot of footage was shot at our home so we out it in the show here and there.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Video link for Natalie MacMaster &#8212; <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/2FWQz0iSjC0\">https:\/\/youtu.be\/2FWQz0iSjC0<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">The show at the Sellersville Theater will start at 3 p.m.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Ticket prices range from $69.50-$85.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times \u201cThe Clairvoyants\u201d &#8212; Am\u00e9lie van Tass\u00a0and\u00a0Thommy Ten\u00a0&#8212; are visiting the area for a show on December 14 at Xcite Center at Parx Casino (2999 Street Road, Bensalem, 888-588-7279,\u00a0https:\/\/parxcasino.com). They are an Austrian magician and mentalist duo and have been performing together since 2011. If you watch videos of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":44564,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8457],"tags":[12699,11790,6680,7426,12698],"class_list":["post-44562","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-d-arts-entertainment","tag-celtic-family-christmas","tag-doobie-decibel-system","tag-dukes-of-destiny","tag-featured","tag-the-clairvoyants"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44562","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=44562"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44562\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":44563,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44562\/revisions\/44563"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/44564"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=44562"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=44562"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=44562"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}