Hoover Opening June 21 was a huge hit

June 21 was a fabulous day at Lakeside where we spend the summer.  The weather couldn’t have been better. There was a great car show on the lawn of the hotel (love those mid-50s models) during the day which we strolled through after dinner.

The evening program at Hoover Auditorium was fiddler Natalie MacMaster with her husband Donnel Leahy with a cute as a bug performance by 4 of their 6 children.  She grew up on Cape Breton Island Nova Scotia had plays traditional Celtic music and American blue grass and provides step dancing (quite a feat since I think the youngest child is about 9 weeks old).  The couple were married in 2002.  Each had careers in the “fiddling” industry—he plays with the Leahys ( 8 of 11 brothers and sisters who perform together)  and she usually is with her own group.  But they were fabulous together.  His leg was in a cast, but he scooted around the stage on a chair. The pianist also danced, and there was a bass guitarist, and guitarist from Scotland who also played accordion.

I’ve rarely seen a performance with so much energy, yet a casual, at home flavor.  And they gave us  90+ minutes and brought down the house with some funny stories and a smashing medley to say thanks and good-bye. 

I don’t know if she really cooks (6 children and a musical career?  I wouldn’t), but she does have a recipe collection on her web site.  Wish I’d had this one last week when I was looking for ways to use up the carrots. Agnes’ Carrot Casserole.