The Urban Youth Harp Ensemble

I feel like I should have heard of this group before now. Such a great idea! I wish I was in a populated enough area to start something like this. The mission of the Urban Youth Harp Ensemble is “to deliver quality musical instruction on the harp, develop music reading skills and musicianship to at-risk, urban youth.” You can visit their official website at http://www.urbanharp.org/.

Here are some members of the group playing “What a Wonderful World” (the sound is a bit fuzzy but it’s still way cool):

The Harp – BBC Documentary

"Harpist Catrin Finch takes a musical journey to discover the ancient and fascinating history of the harp in Wales and the world, with interviews and performances from internationally-renowned guests including Alan Stivell, Carlos Orosco, Alemu Aga, Isabelle Perrin and Elinor Bennett." (courtesy of BBC4 and SkitlerRemix).

October-November Harp Events in the US

HARP WORKSHOPS & CONFERENCES

Oct. 5-719th annual Harpers Escape Weekend, New Brunswick, NJ

Oct. 26-28Southeastern Harp Weekend, Ashville, North Carolina

Nov. 2-4Seattle Harp Symposium, presented by Dusty Strings

HARP CONCERTS (courtesy of the Sylvia Woods Harp Center)

Legends of the Celtic Harp: Patrick Ball, Lisa Lynne and Aryeh Frankfurter
Patrick Ball’s website
October 2012 – Anchorage and Valdez AK and Shoreline WA |
November 2012 – Toledo and Port Clinton OH, and Detroit MI

Patrick Ball
Patrick Ball’s website
October 2012 – Winston-Salem NC, Norfolk VA, Rockaway Twp NJ, Cumberland RI and Canton CT
November 2012 – Palm Beach, Tequesta, Jupiter, Loxahatchess, Belle Glade, South Bay, Boynton Beach, Pahokee, Lake Worth, St. Petersburg, Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Greenacres, Boca Raton, and Wellington FL

Grainne Hambly and William Jackson
Grainne Hambly’s website
William Jackson’s website
October 2012 – New Brunswick NJ and Midlothian TX

This Friday: Nyckelharpa & Scottish harp concert at Chief O’Neill’s in Chicago

Friday, September 7th:
Olov Johansson & Catriona McKay
Chief O’Neill’s 3471 N. Elston, Chicago IL 60618, 773-583-3066
8pm show
$20 admission at the door.
Facebook events page

Ceolwind Productions presents: The traditional music of Scotland and Sweden, woven together by these two highly acclaimed and talented musicians: Olov Johansson and Catriona McKay – Swedish Nyckelharpa & Scottish Harp
Both traditional as well as newly composed music from Scotland and Sweden, performed beautifully in this new unique harp-duo by these awarded harpers. Catriona was appointed “Instrumentalist of the year” at “Scots Trad Music Awards 2007” Olov became “World champion in Nyckelharpa” in Österbybruk 1990. Olov is also a founding member in the Swedish folk band “Väsen”.
Come catch this one-of-a-kind performance: the very first stop on their tour of the states together!

This is a Ceolwind Productions concert. For more info on the artists and the event please email: promotions@ceolwind.com.

Come early and enjoy the wonderful food! For dinner reservations and to reserve your seat at the concert, please call Chief O’Neill’s at 773-583-3066.

Olov Johansson and Catriona McKay’s Myspace Page
Olov Johansson’s Site

Chris Stout & Catriona McKay – Live 2010

A truly rockin’ set on Scottish harp and Shetland fiddle. The track is “Isflak” off the CD “White Nights”.  Check out the lever arrangement on Catriona’s harp.  More videos here.

Taking busking to a whole new level – Strasbourg

The video that caught everyone’s ear back in ’07 – Yasmeen Amina Oyla busking in Strasbourg.  The song is called O Habibi.  Yasmeen has since put out several recordings.  For more sweet tunes, check out her official YouTube channel and her website, www.yasmeensong.com.