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

Mary O’Hara at NLHF, new registration deadline

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

October Northern Lights Harp Fest in Ottawa: Deadline July 15!

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!

All hail to the days…

This has certainly been an odd week for weather. Over the past couple of days I’ve been gradually emerging from the fuzzy reality of a lingering head cold, only to see our October sky streaked with hail and snow. Friday it was mostly driving sleet, though thankfully it’s stayed above zero, so the roads remained relatively clear. Saturday, I was preparing for my last wedding gig of the season, when I heard an odd sound like someone throwing stones at our window. Sure enough, I look out to see it hailing furiously. Thankfully, yesterday’s couple was wise enough to arrange for a big tent, which would be up rain or shine. Still, we would technically be outside, so I layered accordingly; nylons and longjohns under my long black skirt; a warm layer under my dress shirt and a thick wool sweater; black dress boots laced over thick socks; and two pairs of gloves just in case.

I arrived at the golf course just as the sun was coming out (excellent timing), to see a remarkable number of golfers out on the green, bundled up with toques and mittons, gamely putting away. Apparently, rather dedicated to their sport. (I think the only people more obsessive are joggers).

The tent was somewhat chilly, but had nice thick sides that were down, so at least there was no wind. The wedding was the best kind; short and sweet, everyone seeming as happy as could be, a nice relaxed air with no sense of uptightness or panic; a friendly well-spoken minister; and people who said “thank you” afterwards. (Plus I got to play all Celtic stuff that I like and can play in my sleep – so no need for a music stand or flipping pages – which is always a bonus). I didn’t need the gloves in the end, but was very glad for all my various layers, which kept me pretty cozy throughout, although by the end I was starting to feel the chill a bit. All in all, not a bad way to wrap up the season. Now hopefully I can concentrate on learning some new tunes for a change, and getting ready for all my various seasonal music projects (and a few crazy writing and home improvement ones as well).

Hope everyone’s staying warm!

October Tune: Woodicock

Okay, so it’s not quite October yet. Thought I’d get a bit of a head start. It certainly feels like October around here; chilly, windy, leaves skittering everywhere.

Woodicock, thumbnail (see print instructions below)

The HarpBlog Tune of the Month is courtesy of Chubby Sparrow Music . For a printable version, right click on the picture and choose “save target as”, or pop over to the Chubby Sparrow Free Music page for more detailed printing instructions (note: if you just left click and try to print directly from the browser, it probably won’t print at the right size).

Our early music group plays this one in a set with “The Old Mole”.