The Harp Blog

Just got back this morning, and what a weekend it was!  The first ever Northern Lights Harp Fest in Ottawa was a resounding success (despite the glitches with the sound system on the last day).   I had hoped to blog “live” (as it were) from the hotel, but my computer decided it didn’t like the hotel’s “plug ‘n’ play” internet hookup and refused to play along.   Turned out I didn’t really have any free time to spare, anyhow.  I only left the hotel once, and that was to walk one door over to the restaurant (which, it turns out, is accessible by a nearby escalator, so technically I could have spent the whole weekend indoors, only seeing the sky through the rain-streaked windows.)

Much too tired to write more today, but there will be full-fledged review of the event coming up, as soon as we’ve unpacked and I’ve had a chance at a real night’s sleep.  Update Dec. ‘09: Real life intervened and I never did get around to a proper review, sorry about that. Hoping to get the Blog going regularly again in January, after things calm down. – T.H.

One final note for all who are interested, the NLHF is going to be held bi-annually, so start saving now for 2011!

October Events: Northern Lights Harp Fest in Ottawa Oct. 2-4 ‘09

NLHF Deadline extended to August 30th

Northern Lights Harp Fest – Important Notice!

With the late-breaking news of Mary O’Hara’s attendance at the harpfest, it has been agreed that the regular registration date be extended to August 30th. This will allow absent vacationers and out-of-towners the opportunity to make arrangements to attend the fest and/or Mary’s unique presentation, “Travels With My Harp”, Sunday October 4th at 1 p.m. Mary O’Hara is a living legend whom we will be very fortunate to be able to meet in person. As a historical figure in the folk harp world,this presentation is one that you will not want to miss. For tickets, order through www.northernlightsharpfest.com or sweeney.hermon@rogers.com

Cost (for Mary’s presentation only): NLHF Registrants $10, General Admission, $17, Seniors $15.

For more info on the Northern Lights Harp Fest, including how to register, check out the official website:
www.northernlightsharpfest.com.

Info courtesy of Joanne Griffin, NLHF secretary

From Joanne Griffin, Secretary, Northern Lights Harp Fest:

“I know many of you have been curious about the V68 harp-for-two. Since this harp will be used for the open-mic-for-two at the Northern Lights Harp Fest, www.northernlightsharpfest.com, we decided to shoot a demo video to show folks that it actually plays and sounds like a harp (or harps). Acacia Lyra (Susan Sweeney Herman & Janine Dudding), who will be performing and giving a workshop at the Fest, kindly agreed to perform their rendition of Chanter Meets the Fairy King for the video.

The regular registration deadline for the NLHF is July 15th. If you haven’t already done so, sign up now for what promises to be an entertaining, informative and exciting harp experience!”

Credits: V68 harp by Don Peddle, Artwork by Patricia Doyle (Blackburn ON), Videography by Lois Siegel Productions Inc. (Ottawa ON)

The folks organizing the Northern Lights Harp Fest in Ottawa in October (Oct. 2-4 2009) are trying to encourage everyone who is interested to register ASAP, so they can meet their minimum number of 60 participants by July 15.  It would be truly excellent to be able to have a regular harp conference in Ontario, since for most of us, travelling to the bigger conferences in the USA often isn’t feasible.  But, in order for that to happen, they first need to make this year’s conference a success.

Please pass this info along to any harp players you may know.  Students and beginners are welcome – there will be harp classes for all levels at the conference.

For more info, check out the official website:
http://www.northernlightsharpfest.com/

Let’s make this happen!

July 19th ‘09 – ‘Harpists for Peace’ Day

An exciting event where harpists all over the world will play for an hour at 2pm (local time) on that date, near important public buildings, town squares, places of political significance etc, to promote World Peace.

Harpists of all ages and all standards, professional and amateur, are encouraged to take part, and can get more details and sign up on this website: www.spanglefish.com/harpistsforpeace

July 2-12 2009
THIRD INTERNATIONAL HARP WORKSHOP
Santuario di Crea, ITALY
Jazz and improvisation course: Monika STADLER
Master classes: Gabriella BOSIO & Katerina ENGLICHOVA
Teacher in residence: Laura Sofia CARAMELLINO

Workshop fee (all prices in Euros): €300 full participants, €100 listeners
Accomodation: The Sanctuary’s convent offers comfortable recently restored rooms for ten nights at €270
(single room), €430 (double room) or €540 (triple room). Cost includes the possibility of kitchen facilities.
Within the Sanctuary complex there is a café and a restaurant.
Contacts/information: you can reach Laura Sofia Caramellino by e-mail laurasofia.caramellino@istruzione.it or
telephone (++39) 340 8420546 (late afternoon please).
The Workshop can guest no more than 12 full participants: please contact the teacher by May 15, 2009.

Information courtesy of Laura Sofia Caramellino

April 17 ‘09: “Slight Imperfection” Celtic Harp and Guitar Duo plays at Crossroads.
Friday, April 17, 7:00 p.m. Cost: $5.
Location: Crossroads, 78 North Ave, Garwood, NJ.

Slight imperfection is: Odarka Stockert (Vocals, Celtic and Pedal Harp and Percussion) and Redentor Jimenez (Vocals, Guitar and Mandolin)

Crossroads Fri. Apr. 17 lineup: Beale Street Love, Generation Gap, Slight Imperfection, Astronaut Jones

More info: (908)-518-3023
www.xxroads.com  
myspace.com/slightimperfection

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April 26: The North Jersey Chapter of the American Harp Society invites you to attend their Harpers Bazaar on Sunday, April 26, 2009 at the Evangelical Covenant Church of Montclair, 17 Valley Rd, Montclair, NJ from 11:15am to 3:00 pm.

Our vendors include Virginia Harp Center, Gerald Goodman, Colin Harp Music and Rharps, and there will as CD’s, music and crafts made by our members for sale. There will be an open mic performance for harpists, raffles and a bake sale. Admission is free. Proceeds from this event will benefit the Sharon Fisher Memorial Scholarship Fund. For more information, contact Diane Michaels at dianemichaels@verizon.net

Sunday, April 26th, 2-4pm
Harp Workshops with Boston Harpist
NANCY HURRELL

Ottawa Mennonite Church
1830 Kilborn Avenue
Admission: $30 at the door
And in advance:
The Leading Note, 370 Elgin St.
The Ottawa Folklore Centre, 1111 Bank St.
Contact: Mary Muckle mucklerice@rogers.com 613-825-1379

Details:

We’ll begin with a short session on Playing in a Harp Ensemble, learning a multi-level ensemble arrangement by Nancy. All levels of playing are welcome, and music is provided. Ideas and tips to improve an ensembles’ sound are given, plus brief comments/demo on performing the ensembles in her new book, ‘The Ring of Harps’.

The main workshop is Renaissance Dance Music for Harp. We’ll play Renaissance dances from the 16th century, and also learn the dance steps! Knowing the tempo and pulse of the dance is important for playing the music. We’ll also do some improvisation and discuss sources for music from the period. All levels of playing are welcome. (There will be a short tea break around 3:00pm.)

Information courtesy of M. Muckle

The Toronto Chapter of the American Harp Society Presents
The Australian Lipman Harp Duo
Featuring Sebastian Lipman and Sayo Lipman

Wednesday, March 25th, 2009, 7:30 PM
Armour Heights Presbyterian Church
105 Wilson Avenue, Toronto, ON

Featuring works by Bach, Albeniz, Granados, Franck, Debussy, Ravel, Mozart and some contemporary pieces
Tickets $25 Adult,$15 Seniors/Students, Available at the Door

Sat. March 14, 2009 – St. Pat’s Fancy
A celebration of Traditional Irish Music to Support Market Hall

Cairdeas: Featuring Steafan Hannigan and Saskia Tomkins.
With: Carried Away, Glen Caradus, Tanah Haney (Celtic Harp), and the Convivio Chorus.

Market Hall Performing Arts (on George St. in Peterborough, ON).
8pm, doors open 7:30pm.
Tickets: $15.00, available at Showplace.
Phone: 705-742-7469
www.markethall.org

Concert to be followed by a traditional Irish session.