Fittingly, for the month with St. Patrick's Day, The Fitzgerald Family Band – parents Pam and Paddy, kids Tom, Kerry and Julie, and lead vocalist Nate Douglas – make their return to the Dekker Centre March 24.
The Celtic and traditional fiddle outfit will have performed close to 100 shows by the end of a whirlwind two-month tour across Canada and the United States that saw them do an extended week-long stint in Arizona as they performed for more than 3,000 students.
From, and based in, Ontario, the family took to the Ottawa Valley-area step dancing and fiddle culture. The tight-knit group "rarely missed a contest for well over 10 years," said family matriarch Pam Fitzgerald.
In the beginning, the sense of community these events offered was motivation to keep improving and performing. And it paid off, with the Fitzgerald kids going on to become Canadian Grand Master Fiddle Champions and Ontario Step Dance Champions. The Ottawa Valley step and fiddle community has also led to more than just personal success for the five Fitzgeralds, too. As Pam noted, "our best friends are the folks we've met at contests over the years."
Now, the skills honed at Ottawa Valley competitions are being put to use in their performances. While most folks don't get to travel extensively and work with family, being in the band has allowed the Fitzgeralds to share many memorable experiences. Still, Pam Fitzgerald noted, every member is free to follow their interests independently, too.
The four youthful members will be touring Ireland and the UK after their current tour wraps up and the three Fitzgerald siblings also tour as a trio with other bands.
The Fitzgerald Family Band touring "Everything Fitz" will be performing at the Dekker Centre Friday, March 24 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $36 plus GST and can be found at www.dekkercentre.com and through the Box Office at 306-445-7700 ext. 2.
