Mahwah Brother And Sister Performing At Mexicali Live This Weekend

These two may not be Donnie and Marie – yet – but Mahwah’s Samantha and Michael Patella will take the stage this weekend to strut their musical stuff. As part of a performance of the ‘School of Rock’ in Waldwick, Sam and Michael will be on stage both Saturday and Sunday at in Teaneck. Both shows start at 3 p.m.

Samantha has been taking classes at the School of Rock for about a year, and Michael for two years. This weekend, Sam will be singing solos on three songs - Sharp Dressed Man, Separate Ways and For Those About to Rock - and back up on another two songs. Michael will play the drums during four of the group’s numbers.

The siblings say they are eager to perform, which they’ve been doing since a young age at other local venues and in school plays and concerts. Michael's first drumming performance was at age two when he played the Little Drummer Boy in the St. Joseph Christmas Play. Samantha started at age four, dancing and singing in an annual performance at Don Bosco Prep.

Now a fifth grader at , Michael says he wants to become a professional drummer. “When I hear a song with a great beat, I just want to hit the drums and play.”

His sister, a seventh grader at , says she wants to both sing professionally, and become a fashion designer when she gets older. She’s inspired by Adele and Taylor Swift “because they are strong women who can put their feelings down on paper and create amazing songs."

Tickets for this weekend’s shows will be sold at the door for $12 a piece.