StettlerLocal.com March 6, 2024 at 9:05 pm
It's hard to sit still when The McDades perform.
The Juno award-winning group played two energetic shows at the Stettler Performing Arts Centre on March 3.
During the afternoon show, the 2024 Brier became a surprising topic of banter between the audience and The McDades. When an audience member asked about the score of a curling game, Solon McDade joked, "It's 174 to 4. Is that a believable score for curling?"
Vocalist and violinist Shannon Johnson tried a couple of times to entice would-be dancers to the stage. "The dance floor is open," she said. "You can practice your Curling Moves dance!"
The group performs traditional and original pieces, drawing influences from Celtic, jazz, and global music. Along with their Juno award, they've been nominated for two Canadian Folk Music Awards.
The McDade siblings grew up in Edmonton and attended a French-Immersion school. Solon explained songs are a good way for children to learn a new language, then introduced a saucy French song by saying, "This is a song you'd never hear in the Edmonton school system."
The music sounded like it was in a recording studio, but the intimate setting felt like a kitchen ceilidh with family and friends.
The McDades (Johnson and brothers Solon and Jeremiah) were joined by Rich Irwin on drums and Andy Hillhouse on guitar.
The next Stettler Showcase will feature The Jeffery Straker Trio on Sunday, April 7, 2024.
