Live Music • Creatives Market • Food Trucks • Giveaways & Activities
FREE ADMISSION • MEMORIES ARE MADE HERE
Tradition is turned on its head as the 11th season of Makin' Waves presented by Sydney Credit Union in Sydney's historic Wentworth Park continues with groundbreaking instrumentalists MARY FRANCES LEAHY and her Latin infused Celtic style and XIA-3, blending traditional Chinese instrumentation with rock, prog, world music, and jazz.
MARY FRANCES LEAHY
Since age five, MARY FRANCES LEAHY has been performing shows throughout Canada and the U.S. with her parents, Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy with an estimated 600 live performances under her belt. The oldest of seven siblings, Mary Frances has been developing her own style which is rooted in her Celtic heritage but also heavily influenced by jazz and Latin genres. This new fusion will be displayed on her new debut recording featuring all original material. For such a young lady, she has many accomplishments including a piano performance with Yo-Yo Ma for “So You Love” featured on her parents’ new release, CANVAS, a performance on Little Big Shots with Steve Harvey, and the Carmen Nebel TV Show in Germany.
Highlights: 2025 Young Performer of the Year at Canadian Folk Music Awards
Notable Festivals and Tours: Celtic Colours International Festival, Stan Rogers Folk Festival (2025), Milwaukee Irish Fest, Woodford Folk Festival (Australia)
XIA-3
Centered around the guzheng, a traditional Chinese folk instrument, XIA-3 is a groundbreaking trio from Newfoundland led by award-winning virtuosa Jing Xia, with the dynamic support of seasoned St. John's punk rockers Ritchie Perez (guitar) and Brian Downton (drums). Reimagining ancient musical traditions, the group creates electrifying soundscapes bridging East and West, weaving together world music, jazz, prog, and experimental rock that led CBC Music to list them in their “22 Canadian Albums We Can’t Wait to Hear in 2025."
MAKIN' WAVES presented by Sydney Credit Union is produced by the Cape Breton Regional Municipality and made possible with support from the Government of Nova Scotia and the Government of Canada. Presenting partner is Sydney Credit Union, Festival partners are Protocase, Cape Breton Beverages, and Marine Atlantic.
For full details, visit www.makinwavesfestival.ca - powered by NovaStream.
You may also like the following events from Makin' Waves presented by Sydney Credit Union:
Also check out other
Music events in Sydney,
Entertainment events in Sydney,
Festivals in Sydney.
