Fiddle bows will be flying and feet will be tapping a Celtic beat at the Okotoks Evangelical Free Church on Nov. 9.
The Sky family, a Celtic gospel group from Prince Edward Island, is bringing their East Coast style to the rest of Canada with a stop in Okotoks next week.
Marrieanne Pierson, a member of the Okotoks Evangelical Church, was enchanted by the group during a visit to PEI this summer and was the driving force behind their visit.
Pierson took in two Sky family concerts during a vacation with her daughter. The pair visited their farm, where they hold nightly concerts in a barn that has been transformed into a concert space.
“It was amazing,” Pierson said of their performance. “They are warm, welcoming and high energy. So you just go ‘wow.’”
Following the concert Pierson and her daughter stayed overnight at the family’s bed and breakfast and after a day of sight seeing took in another show.
“I love anything with fiddles,” Pierson said, adding the footwork, similar to what is seen in famous acts like Riverdance, just added another dimension that kept her spellbound.
The Sky’s five members each play a number of instruments and lend in the harmonies. The act also includes comedy skits and some speaking portions.
When she returned home Pierson met with church members to discuss bringing the act to Okotoks.
She said the Sky family will appeal to church members with their hymns and all people because of their sensational musical skills.
“Anybody who has a zest or a flavour for that Celtic music or dancing will love it,” she said. “And anybody who has a flair for the fiddles.”
The free concert begins at 7 p.m. and the church can hold up to 400 guests. People are welcome to make donations and the Sky family’s CDs will be for sale following the concert.
For more information call Pierson at 403-938-1131. To get a preview search The Skys on Youtube.
