by Timothy Rutt
Those Manning Bhoys opened up the Sheriff Support Group's summer concert series Saturday night with a mix of Irish favorites, all-American rousers, and even some Allan Sherman classics.
Mostly, the first half of the show was an exploration of family life with the Mannings -- mom, dad, and eight kids, in a family with Irish and Mexican roots, with music in the house. Mike Manning included one of his own songs, about growing up in Altadena.
The second half, they were joined by Cape North, a collection of Scottish fiddlers in the Cape Breton style, who brought their own magic to the night.
As it was the first concert of the season, there was more than a little ceremony, too ... see it all after the jump.
The evening began with the color guard from Explorer Post 7.
Tom Joyce shared "The Star-Spangled Banner"....
... which the audience rose up to sing.
Altadena Sheriff Capt. John S. Benedict opened up the show.
The Manning's mother, Sis Manning, 87, took a turn at "Danny Boy."
The music got the kids dancing and playing (yes, that's Rosie -- it was good to wear her out!)
In an interlude, classical guitarist Billy Arcila played some of his own compositions.
Cape North added Scottish power to the Manning's Celtic thunder.
