Ladyharp

March & St Pat's At Bistro Maison

2011-03-02T10:25:00.000-08:00

March has come, & again I'll be playing harp at Bistro Maison, a lovely French restaurant on 3rd Street in McMinnville - or, as the Wiki entry states: The precise Gaelic term for the' harp of the Gael' is clàrsach Ghàidhealach (Sc.)/cláirseach Ghaelach (Ir.), meaning Gaelic harp)

I'll be there for both Lunch & Dinner on Saint Patrick's Day lunch, Thursday March 17th. I've done this several years running, it's a popular event, so make your reservations! This is a lovely setting with great food, & harp - what's not to like?

Most of the tunes will be Irish, with a smattering of other Celtic pieces. & my harp, Rowan Luchair, is modeled on a lowhead Irish harp , in her luthier Rick Kemper's words: "Top players from Ireland & Scotland seem to prefer small harps with lighter tension that can respond to the blazing ornamentation they put into their music. Luchair (Gaelic for 'joy' or 'delight') incorporates the best features of these harps."

A young dancing friend is working on learing the Gaelic, & asks me 'how are you' - Conas tá; tú? (co-nas tah tu) . . . . to which I can reply 'Tá mé go hiontach" (tah-may go hee-un-tachk) - I'm wonderful! or "Tá mé go maith" (tah may go mah) - I'm well!

So - Ar mhaith leat lón? (air why lyat lahn) - 'would you like lunch?' Come to Bistro Maison!

Who's On Third??

2010-08-27T10:24:00.000-07:00

Are you looking for something special to do on Labor Day Weekend? Come to downtown McMinnville for a taste of Oregon’s Favorite Main Street at “Who’s on Third?” Enjoy the last weekend of summer tasting local wines, exploring a variety of shops, and dining at one of the many superb restaurants downtown.

Choose from a a delightful variety of international cuisines including French, Italian, Spanish Tapas, and Japanese. There are several Wine tasting rooms scattered throughout town, so if you've wanted to sample wines from our great local vineyards, this is an excellent opportunity. & it's an easy stroll to the Saturday Market, located in the Granary District between 5th & 8th Streets.

In addition to food and drink, downtown merchants will be offering special Who’s on Third? sales and promotions. A stroll along Oregon’s Favorite Main Street on Saturday, September 4 or Sunday, September 5 will also feature local musicians and performers.

Ah - musicians & performers you ask?? YES indeed, Rowan & I will be out 'harping on Third Street' on Saturday, from 12-2! So if you're out & about, please stop by! & if you have a song you'd like to hear, I'm happy to have requests :)

Last year 'Who's On Third?' was held in July, in place of Turkey Rama; I'm happy that we have another summer festival. Who's On Third? is scheduled to coincide with the Oregon Wine Country Half Marathon. Come on out & enjoy the festivities!

Turkey Rama 2010

2010-07-01T22:32:00.000-07:00

The second weekend in July, McMinnville's oldest & largest community festival - Turkey Rama will celebrate it's 50th anniversary.

The McMinnville Downtown Association (DTA) & Chamber of Commerce are partnering to produce this year's event. The festival features arts and crafts, downtown merchants & other vendors, local community and non-profit groups, area businesses, music, a variety of entertainment for the whole family, & and an array of festival food.

With booths along the center of Third Street, the focus has shifted to promoting local businesses, artists & musicians. For the second year, I've been invited to play my harp in one of the Kiosks lining Third Street, & will perform Friday, July 9 from 11 AM - 1 PM The DTA Booth will have information on my location. On Saturday the 10th, our local Square Dance Club, Braids & Braves, will grace the Main Stage & do a demo from 11 - 12. (I'll be playing harp for a private wedding Sat, so will miss dancing with my friends.)

I hope you have a chance to come out & stroll the street, listen to some music, & enjoy this year's festival.

Summer Solstice Wedding

2010-06-21T20:50:00.000-07:00

Today we participated in a LOVELY Summer Solstice wedding - quite a contrast to the 'harp in barn' wedding a couple of months back! The sun blessed us by staying out for the whole afternoon, & family & friends had come from all over to witness the blessed day.

The setting was a lovely 'park like' back yard of a local home, the Grandmother's place! The bride & groom are actors in New York, & they chose varied elements from their upbringing & heritage.

The wedding dress was 'vintage,' having been worn by the bride's mother, aunt (officiating) & other gals in the family. The blessings ranged from traditional Catholic prayers, to Celtic & Cherokee (they choose me for the musician after reading that I have the same heritage on my website!)

The soloist will join the Metropolitan Opera company in the fall - what a gorgeous soprano voice!! We met Sunday afternoon to go over a SIMPLE accompaniment to her pieces (Mozart & Mahler) & a trio singing the 'wedding blessing of Juno' from the Tempest. Friends, family members & the bride & groom did readings, including a spectacular performance from Whitman's Leaves of Grass (by a fellow actor) & a piece from the 'love story' play where Melanie & David first met, by a young actor friend.

At the end of the service, they 'jumped the broom' to honor older handfasting traditions, & rode off in a carriage drawn by a handsome horse!

I LOVE the opportunities I have to participate in such unique services!

McMinnville Farmer's Market

2010-06-08T07:38:00.001-07:00

This Thursday I'll be playing at one of my favorite summer events, the open air McMinnville Farmer's Market!
The Downtown Association coordinates booking vendors & musicians, & does a fine mob of making this a fun, well organized weekly event for 20 weeks. The Market opened a few weeks ago, & I've stopped by to pick up pepper plants from 'Simon,' a HS boy who grows a great variety of peppers for the home garden, & stop by my friend Kate's Herb booth.

McMinnville's market is well known throughout the valley, with vendors coming from the immediate area & from out of County. Produce fresh from the farms, jewelry, soap, honey, herb plants, meat, cheese & eggs from naturally farmed animals, fresh flowers, & representatives from the Native Plant Society & Garden Club . . . the list of this year's vendors is posted on the DTA site.

One of the features is weekly music, & I've played harp at the Farmer's Market since 2003, always a fun event! This year I'll be at the Farmers' Market: Thur, June 10from 1:30-6 PM.
This year, there's a seperate weekend market in the 'Granery District,' between 5th & 8th Streets. This market began in the fall, & is open year round, with a slightly different complement of vendors. Both markets are a great way to see your friends, buy some fresh produce, locally made jewelry, soap, & eat some great food.

Come on by!

Wedding in a Barn!

2010-05-05T01:12:00.000-07:00

One of the fun things about playing harp for weddings is the variety of settings we're invited into. I've played under an apple tree with two cellists, all of us in apple green dresses & barefoot; in wineries, in a rose garden, near Cozine Creek in a city park, close to the Metolious River (with the groom & his guys rowing downstream to the site) & today in the loft of a barn!

It's an OLD barn, so the loft wasn't that high, the ladder (for me) was roped to the beam (a log!) The pastor was TALL, so he easily handed the harp up over the edge of the loft, & we didn't have to try to get it up the ladder!! It's the first time I've worn Blue Jeans when I was playing for a wedding!

A few days ago, when the bride said she & her groom could carry the harp up the ladder, I began to get nervous . . . they thought they'd have a lift earlier, & were going to take the harp up on that - so I considered staying on the ground, lol!! But when I saw the loft, I felt a lot more comfortable. (& of course, the bride & groom were nowhere to be seen when I arrived!)

My dear friend Reita, attended, so we sat together for the reception. It's rather odd when I don't know anyone but the bride & groom (who are rather busy!) I often don't know anyone else at the reception, so it's a toss up whether to stay!

Reita is such a dear - we're in a book group together, & so enjoy each other. She reminds me a bit of my mom in her earlier years, & it's always fun to have a chance to visit. It was cold in the Barn - the bride wrapped up in a blanket for the reception (had a sleeveless gown!), & I was glad I wore a long sleeved shirt AND had my jacket!

May 4th is his grandparent's anniversary! There were yellow snapdragons on the table - the only flowers grandma found blooming for her May wedding in 1919! Their attendant carried a lovely spray of dogwood blossoms - cut on their country property.

What a fun day!

April

2010-04-20T21:40:00.000-07:00

Wed April 21 (are we moving into Taurus already??) I'll be playing harp at a late afternoon event at Hillside Retirement community! These background or 'wallpaper' gigs are some of my favorites - The most frequent comments are "We really missed the music when you stopped playing!" or "The music was PERFECT for visiting, offering a nice background, but not too loud!"

It's always fun to play there - & get fed - the Event Coordinator said a number of items should be gluten free - yea! A new consideration for times I 'play out.' If there are veggies, fruit & cheese, I'm a happy girl.

Santa was giving me a candy cane (at Hillside a couple of years ago) - he whispered that we had been doing this Holiday party for the residents in the extended care unit for ~ 5 years!

St Pat's at Bistro Maison

2010-03-16T23:45:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I played a 'wallpaper gig' for a fundraiser; & have been invited back to Bistro Maison, a lovely French restaurant in McMinnville, to play harp (or, as the Wiki entry states: The precise Gaelic term for the' harp of the Gael' is clàrsach Ghàidhealach (Sc.)/cláirseach Ghaelach (Ir.), meaning Gaelic harp) for Saint Patrick's Day lunch, Wed. March 17. This will be the third time I've played cláirseach for St Pat's at the Bistro - always a popular event. This is a lovely setting with great food, & harp - what's not to like?

So if you're thinking of going to lunch, & would like to hear some Celtic music, played on an Irish style Celtic harp, Bistro Maison is the place!

Most of the tunes will be Irish, with a smattering of other Celtic pieces. & my harp, Rowan Luchair, is modeled on a lowhead Irish harp , in her luthier Rick Kemper's words: "Top players from Ireland & Scotland seem to prefer small harps with lighter tension that can respond to the blazing ornamentation they put into their music. Luchair (Gaelic for 'joy' or 'delight') incorporates the best features of these harps."

A young dancing friend is working on learing the Gaelic, & asks me 'how are you' - Conas tá; tú? (co-nas tah tu) . . . . to which I can reply 'Tá mé go hiontach" (tah-may go hee-un-tachk) - I'm wonderful! or "Tá mé go maith" (tah may go mah) - I'm well!

Over the last few weeks I've received several calls from brides & grooms, interested in booking a harp 'or other stringed instrument' for weddings. A few have requested sound clips on my website- so I'm looking into recording a bit of my harping! This evening I played a bit 'on speaker-phone' for one couple!

So - Ar mhaith leat lón? (air why lyat lahn) - 'would you like lunch?' Come to Bistro Maison!

Sonas ort! (Happiness be on you)

Holiday Music

2009-12-15T09:23:00.000-08:00

Saturday began the round of holiday music, with the Downtown Association's holiday open houses, sleigh rides & music. I'd intended to be out of town, so hadn't booked an event, but was called on at the last minute to fill in for another musician at 'Bella Casa,' as I'd stayed in town after all! The same threat of inclement weather prevented the scheduled musician from making it in - serendipity!

I love playing for the holidays! The music is fun (I enjoy finding unusual arrangements & less familiar pieces) & folks are so appreciative. The first listeners were a dad & his toddler son, who listened for a minute, then said 'harp!' They spoke several languages - at least French, German, Spanish & English - I told the boy (perhaps 2?) that some adults didn't know what a harp was! They listened intently for several minutes before re-joining the rest of their party.

Several folks did a double take as they entered the shop, commenting - "OH! It's live music - I thought it was a recording!!" Then they try to decide if they just paid me a compliment, or insulted me. I take it as a compliment :)

Today & next Tuesday I'll play during the lunch hour in the Lobby of Oregon Mutual Ins. company. They've invited me to play holiday music the last several years, & it's a welcome break for the employees & clients.

These are 'wallpaper' gigs, background music while folks go about their business - shopping, going between their office & another, or passing through the lobby on their way to lunch. These are 'wallpaper' gigs - & some musicians seem to find them tedious. I actually enjoy being 'background' music - folks can continue talking & going about their business, but when I stop playing, they miss that sweet accompaniment.

I arrange my set by key signature, beginning with all levers down (Key of Eb) & end with one or two sharps (G or D) I have a list of the songs in order, & note which book it's in. My 'big book' is filled with music in sheet protectors, & I have several books of Christmas & Holiday music arranged for the harp. Many of the arrangements come from my copies of 'Folk Harp Journal' & I've arranged & written out others. For a long 'wallpaper' set, I can play pieces over after about 40 minutes, but do have enough music to play about 2 hours without any repeats.

Today I'll be playing about an hour, & have a 'short set' list from which I'll play. It's rather gray & rainy today, fortunately there's parking right by the main entrance, & my harp, stool & music only take two trips to unload.

Thanksgiving Sunday

2009-11-25T13:15:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving to those in the US - may your plates & hearts be full!
(I know Canadians already celebrated!)

This weekend I'll be playing the harp two places - both at the 11 AM service at First Baptist Church, on Cowls between First & Washington streets (McMinnville, OR). This is the contemporary service, great music, & a very welcoming congregation.

In the afternoon from 2-4 PM, Sunday Nov 29, 2-4 PM I'll be playing for the "Season's Interlude" Workshop at Yogis studio, on 3rd Street in downtown McMinnville. This workshop "offers an opportunity to escape from the emotional rollercoaster that can occur during the holiday season. We will explore how yoga can be used as a tool for stress release. Yoga offers some very effective methods that can be incorporated into your everyday life to help us learn how to remain calm, focused and centered.
We will incorporate pranayama or breathwork, along with yoga postures and philosophy. The second half of the class will feature Nadya King playing her harp during restorative yoga to allow you to soften, relax and renew in the midst of this busy, wonderful holiday time."

Instructors for the class & workshop are Lan Carpenter, M.Ed.,RYT, & Karen Manfrin, RYT (both are Registered Yoga Alliance Teachers)
Registration is still open, & workshop fee of $30 may be prepaid to reserve your space.

Yogis Hatha Yoga Studio

540 NE 3rd Street, McMinnville

Questions: 503.502.5790

email: yogistudio@hotmail.com

How to Build a Website

2009-11-15T08:11:00.001-08:00

I spent much of Saturday at my office with a co-worker, working on the website - which I - mostly - built myself! We began using an on-line appointment booking system this fall, & wanted to add a 'buy now' button for our gift certificate sales, since last winter's SNOW put quite a damper on that - check out my Tutorial over at Vestella's Vale :)

Yoga Class - delightful!

2009-11-14T14:00:00.000-08:00

The class at Yogis 'with harp' was SO well received!!
Two teachers (thanks Lan & Karen) & a record 26 students (there was no room left on the floor :)

I brought my small harp, Tuille, & played quiet accompaniment for the hour long class. A favorite was the glissandos as the students reached Up-p-p & then back down - there were smiles all around the class.

Yogis is such a lovely studio, if you're in the area & enjoy movement, check it out!! Our next event will be playing for the 'Season's Interlude' workshop on Sun, November 29, from 2-4 PM (I'll accompany the second hour of the workshop)

Yogis is located at 540 NE 3rd Street, McMinnville - you may register or ask questions by calling 503-502-5790

Other harp offerings this month include my participation in the Taizé service at 7 PM, this Sunday Nov 15, in the chapel at First Baptist church in downtown McMinnville (125 SE Cowls St, McMinnville, OR foe -472-7941)
Four of us from the Taizé worship team attended a service in Portland on Sunday the 8th - so beautiful!

Here's a U-tube clip of a Taizé Service - candles, contemplative music, quiet, laying on of hands & sharing a few readings.

& next Saturday, Nov 21, I'll be playing downtown for the 'Third Sat' Art & Wine Walk, at Oregon Stationer's on 3rd, between Baker & Cowls, 5 PM - 6:30!

Yoga Workshop

2009-10-25T21:08:00.000-07:00

Recently I was contacted by a couple of the teachers from 'Yogis' studio here on Third Street, inviting me to play harp for a Sunday afternoon Yoga workshop, & a 'preview' class on Sat, Nov 7! I love to play harp for workshops, & this will be a nice opportunity for all of us.

The Nov 7 class from 4-5:15 PM is one of several weekly 'community' classes, the student determines their own fee. The workshop will be from 2-4 PM, Sunday Nov 29, 2-4 PM (the Sun. after Thanksgiving - fee to be determined).

Instructors for the class & workshop are Lan Carpenter, M.Ed.,RYT, & Karen Manfrin, RYT (both are Registered Yoga Alliance Teachers) (you can read more about them on the Yogis teachers page)

Yogis has been open several years, providing a variety of offerings, including Open, Intermediate, Hot, Gentle, Yin, and Vinyasa styles. The weekend workshops quite very popular, & offer more depth & personal attention for each student. We hope the harp/workshop combo will be a regular feature at Yogis.

Yogis is located at 540 NE 3rd St, McMinnville, Oregon, across the street from McMennamin's 'Hotel Oregon,' & their number is: 503.502.5790

Holiday bookings are already coming in, with events scheduled for Oregon Mutual Insurance & the Newcomers club. I'll keep you posted on dates as we move into Nov.

& you can reach me at: 503-474-2988 if you'd like more info, or to schedule me for your holiday event!

Happy Spooky days!

Lovely Wedding!

2009-08-16T23:39:00.001-07:00

Sunday afternoon Rowan & I graced a wedding at a B & B in Lafayette, one of the small towns just N of McMinnville. The house itself was built in 1872, & is on the National Register of Historic Places. We were outside, under sunny skies.

The bride & I made all our arrangements thru e-mails, including the recent decision to have me play for the reception in addition to the ceremony. It was a small, simple wedding, & harp was a wonderful choice for the venue & style.

Since the Kelty House is on Lafayette's main street, & there was pretty steady traffic, it was a plesant surprise to find the tall hedges combined with the harp music masked the traffic sounds! The weather was perfect, warmer than yesterday, but still quite pleasant, & the tall trees provided plenty of shade.

One of the nicest things about playing for a reception or other 'wallpaper' (background music) event is the sense of peace the harp brings to the participants. The most common comment today (in addition to the general 'I love harp music!') was that the music kept the conversations quieter, masked the traffic sounds, & fit the event perfectly!

Each 'garden room' was beautifully set up, & the event was seamless. Colours were green & brown, my dress matched the Mother of the Bride's in colour! I wore the wreath during the reception, & had a nice chat (after the cake cutting) about some of the delightful plants now available to Oregon gardeners - Tea Camellias & Olive tree, with a friend & a fellow involved in the Nursery business. Several of the local wineries have planted olive trees, & Red Ridge Farms has even put in an olive press, both for their use & for other growers.
Camellias grow well in our area, olives are just being tried here. I have a couple of each, such beautiful plants.

Weddings

2009-07-20T21:44:00.000-07:00

It's summer & wedding season!
Since May, a group of 'Wine Country Wedding Professionals' has met each month at an event venue for education & networking. The food & decorations, & company are always great, & it's fun getting to know some of the other folks.

June's event was held at one of my favorite dance & event spots, the McMinnville Grand Ballroom. Tomorrow we'll meet at Navarra Gardens, on the Yamhill River, just outside Willamina. A few years ago I played at a riverbank wedding there - it's a lovely spot.

I've been asked to be one of the featured performers, so will have a chance to show off the harp & play some tunes. The coordinator, Becky Simpson, has 'No Ordinary Affair,' & works hard making these events fun, interesting, & inspiring.
Time to go practice!

Who's on Third??

2009-07-11T20:50:00.000-07:00

What a treat harping on the street! I borrowed my friend Dennis' Crate Taxi amp, & Rowan & I spent a couple of delightful hours playing tunes & sharing smiles.

Today I was pleased to find that the photo a News Register photographer (Marcus Larson) snapped yesterday made the FRONT PAGE of the paper!! (to see the photo & caption, scroll thru the photos at the top of the page, mine is the 3rd of 5)

This was our first year playing for the festival - I hope to play a couple of days for next year's event. A double bike trailer/stoller made transporting Rowan, the music & amp a joy (& no worries about parking!)

Harping This Week

2009-07-07T11:57:00.000-07:00

Just a reminder that I'll be 'out & about' playing harp on Third Street in the 500 block during McMinnville's popular 'Who's on Third??' event - stroll down Third Street, see old friends & vendors (150 booths) and choose from an array of festival food.

Last year, the name changed from "Turkey Rama" & the focus shifted from increasingly trite & commercial to promoting local businesses, artists & musicians.
Other events around Oregon inc: the Salem Art Fair, the Lavendar Festival, with lavender farms around Yamhill County open to guests & artists in the fields doing 'plein aire' drawings/paintings, the Sisters Quilt Show, & the Oregon Country Faire down Veneta way! Lots to choose from!

'Who's on Third?' Nadya & Rowan - Friday July 10: 1:30-3:30 in the 500 block (on Third Street)

Sweet Market

2009-06-12T08:52:00.000-07:00

I'm SOO glad I played at the Market this week, & not last, as unexpected 'weather' had everyone scrambling to pack up - wind, pouring rain & a 'river' flooding one of the alleys!

T'was nice & mild yesterday, & the musicians rate a sun umbrella, which marks the space & provides a nice shade. It's early in the season, but there were many visitors. The harp is such a fascinating instrument, drawing children & adults into a magical circle.

I brought my fairy dust, & sprinkled cheeks - one little girl put a doller (from her grandpa) into my basket, then asked "but, what do I get??" I said "the music" - had forgotten I'd brot a vial of fairy dust (ultra fine glitter) . . . so I pulled that out for later visits. It's fun to see eyes light up, & hear 'I've always loved the harp!'

I always enjoy playing at the market, tho it's a long 'wallpaper' (background music) gig - 1:30 - 6 PM Thursdays. I didn't play anything a second time! I use coloured tabs in my books, to mark the different keys, allowing me to play a number of pieces without having to flip levers. Each string has two settings, with a lever acting like a guitar's 'fret' - flip the lever & the string is a bit shorter, & a half step higher. I 'set' the strings with A, B & E tuned to the flat; so to get the key of C, flip 3 levers per octave.

Monday the 15th I'll play harp for a private retirement party, & Sun the 28th at Third Street Spriitual Center, for their Sunday Service. Jacqueline Mandell, a Tibetan Buddhist leader from Portland will be the speaker.

Come & give a listen!

Summer Music

2009-05-22T06:32:00.000-07:00

In a few weeks, our Farmer's Market will open for the season - a time we all look forward to! The market opens Thur, May 28, on Cowl's Street, between 2nd & 3rd, & runs for 20 weeks. The Downtown Association coordinates booking vendors & musicians.

McMinnville's market is well known throughout the valley, with vendors coming from the immediate area & from out of County. Produce fresh from the farms, jewelry, soap, honey, herb plants, meat, cheese & eggs from naturally farmed animals, fresh flowers, & representatives from the Native Plant Society & Garden Club . . . the list of this year's vendors is posted on the DTA site.

One of the features is weekly music, & I've played harp at the Farmer's Market since 2003, always a fun event!
This year I'll be at the Farmers' Market: Thur, June 11from 1:30-6 PM.
Another popular event is 'Who's on Third?' "The second weekend in July, McMinnville's longest standing festival (formerly known as Turkey Rama), offers a stroll downtown with over 150 booths featuring arts and crafts, local community and non-profit groups, area businesses, and an array of festival food."

Last year, the name changed, & the focus shifted from increasingly trite & commercial to promoting local businesses, artists & musicians. The 'carnival' has been moved out of the downtown area, & booth spaces are now in the center of the street (rather than on the sidewalks). This year I've been invited to be one a 'street musician,' stationed on the 500 block.
In the past, I've painted faces, done massage, so it will be fun to 'wear a new hat' as Ladyharp!

'Who's on Third?' Friday July 10: 1:30-3:30 in the 500 block (on Third Street)

I hope you can make it to one or both events!

Saint Patrick's Day at Bistro Maison

2009-02-23T22:37:00.000-08:00

The wedding (my daughter's) was lovely :) We all had a grand time, the harping went well, she was a beautiful bride, etc! The music all came together, & things are returning to what passes for normal.

Deborah from Bistro Maison, a lovely French restaurant in McMinnville, called to invite me to play harp for Saint Patrick's Day dinner, Tue March 17. A few years ago I played for this dinner, & it was very popular - a full house in a lovely setting with great food, & harp - what's not to like?
So if you're thinking of going out for the evening, & would like to hear some Celtic music, played on an Irish style Celtic harp, Bistro Maison is the place!
Most of the tunes will be Irish, with a smattering of other Celtic pieces.

Of course, any harper might have some mixed feelings about Patrick himself ( ~ 400 AD) - who drove the 'snakes' (or druids?) out of Ireland. Harpers, who held the traditional stories & songs in their heads, were often persecuted by those wanting to spread the 'new religion.'

From Alison Vardy's website: "The period starting from the 1600s during English rule in Ireland was difficult for Irish harpers as the harp as a folk and court instrument was suppressed to prevent a resurgence of nationalism. Harps were burnt and harpers executed. The tragic extinction of this harping tradition at the end of the eighteenth century had a number of causes: the Angloization of the Irish (and Scottish) cultures, the increased popularity of step-dancing and the fiddle, and the inability of the harp to play the musical accidentals required for classical music, which started coming in to vogue in Dublin and Edinburgh during the then Baroque era. Only in Wales was the Folk harp tradition unbroken."

In the late 18th century, Edward Bunting began collecting traditional tunes, including many by Turlough Carolan (1670-1738), the blind Irish folk harpist. My set will include a number of these, & other Irish & Celtic pieces, including some from Wales & from Brittany & Celtic Spain!

Some of 'Patrick's Breastplate' comes from an old Gaelic blessing:

I bind to myself today:
The power of Heaven,
The light of the sun,
the brightness of the moon,
The splendor of fire,
The flash of lightening,
The swiftness of wind,
The depth of the sea
The stability of Earth,
& the compactness of Rocks.

In a workshop with a Gaelic woman raised as a Druid, I learned a dance (similar to TaiChi) that accompanies this blessing. Harps have become the national instrument of Ireland, & I've collected a few harp items from Ireland & England this winter, including these two bells.

Weddings

2009-01-19T18:30:00.001-08:00

In a few weeks, my daughter is getting married, & I've been practicing her 'special request' songs! Sharon Thormahlen's 'Planting Dandelions' (from 'A Rose in Winter') while the kids toss flower petals; the theme from 'Friends' for the attendants, & 'You Say it Best When You Say Nothing at All' for her own walk down the isle. I'll play one of my songs for the candle lighting, & the Bridal Chorus at the end. She's a beautiful bride, & her girls are so excited to 'finally' be in a wedding! I'll be playing 'Rowan Luchair' (above), my 34 string harp from Rick Kemper.

It's also time for the annual publication of the Bridal guide, & my ad is up for renewal. Our local paper gives out the guide to all brides as they publish their engagement photos, or their wedding date, so it's a good connecting point.

I have a tentative booking for a Sept. wedding; at times I play for several weddings in a year, other years, only a few; & there are always the requests for a CD - maybe this year??

Let it Snow

2008-12-22T15:11:00.000-08:00

As romantic as harps & snow are, they aren't very compatible!
With over a foot & 1/2 of snow (a lot in usually rainy & maybe 3" of snow Western Oregon!) we are shut down & snowed in!
I did play once more at the insurance office building, but the other events scheduled last week were canceled. Perhaps after the first of the year I'll go in to play for my granddaughter & her classmates. My daughter, her fiance & I are off work - chickadees, juncos & other little snowbirds are in the yard, & we've put out birdseed. The path between our houses is buried, & my chihuahua thinks snow is pretty ridiculous! It's still coming down, tho smaller flakes than yesterday.

Hot chocolate, old movies & craft projects are in order!

Three down, . . .

2008-12-13T21:28:00.000-08:00

Had a lovely time harping around yesterday & today! I wore the green ribbon wreath again, & was pleased that a couple of folks at the more formal Oregon Mutual (Ins) gig commented on what a nice touch that was!
One of the managers made the very common (but welcome) observation on what lovely background music the harp offers - "It was a nice undercurrent, & I noticed its absence when you stopped playing!" I'll go back Wed to offer lunchtime music in the lobby. Last year I was upstairs, by a railing, so you could hear the harp as you entered the building.

Today I was set up at the gallery & frame shop where I get my 8 x 5" mattboard for my SoulCollage card. There was lots of activity downtown, with carriage rides & many businesses offering holiday music, but not as much traffic in our block - boo! Some friends came down specifically to hear me, which was so sweet, & I met some new friends.

Then over to Hillside, where I was by the fireplace - not lit, but more festive than my usual corner - & folks seemed to talk less. I love 'wallpaper gigs' for the reason stated by the fellow yesterday - it isn't too loud to talk, & it adds such a nice touch. But it's also nice to have more of an audience, & some of the seniors get a bit upset when they can't hear me.
The refreshments were set up in another area, around the corner, by the Christmas tree. So folks down there hadn't heard me, & they asked me to bring the harp down. Finally, a fellow (visiting his mom from out of state) said "I want to dance with mom (90 something!) & I need music - how can I help you?" I had him carry my bench & music down, & played a bit longer! He danced with a dear friend (one of the spunkiest 86 year olds in town!) & moved his mom's wheel chair closer to me - she proceeded to 'dance' her feet, & talking to an unseen partner! So precious.

Santa said 'So we meet again! We've been doing this five years now - & you are doing the same thing I am, bringing people happiness!!
Wow! Jolly old elf & elvin harper . . .

Hoping the predicted snow holds off & I'm able to get out to the golf course Sunday afternoon! Monday's lunchen has been cancelled to avoid weather worries

December Events

2008-12-02T21:38:00.000-08:00

December is always a busy time for a harpist! Last year I think I had 17 events throughout the month, including visiting 2 classrooms at my eldest grand daughter's school.

Here are the current offerings; check back for more events as the month unfolds.

Fri. Dec 12: Staff Christmas Party Oregon Mutual Insurance

Sat Dec 13: Hidden Treasures frame & art shop, 3rd Street 11-1
" " " : Hillside Memory Care, West Second Street 2-3 PM

Sun Dec 14: Soroptomists Tour of Homes, White House at Bayou 2-3 PM

Mon Dec 15: (Mac Garden Club, Hillside Manor, Hill Road 11-12:15) cancelled due to weather predictions!

Wed Dec 17: Oregon Mutual, Lobby, 11:30-1:30

Thursday Dec 18: Columbus Elementary School, 12 noon

Sun Dec 21: Valley New Thought Fellowship part of the Christmas Sunday program, 10-11 AM

& Third Street Art & Wine Walk, Sat Dec 20?? Not scheduled yet

A Harmony of Harps

2008-12-02T21:04:00.000-08:00

Having studied piano with an excellent teacher as a child, I began playing harp in 1993., & felt an immediate connection with harps & harp music. Over the last 15 years, three harps ihave joined my 'Harmony.'

The first, 27 string 'Tuilleadh,' ('Tille') was built by Corvallis Luthier Dave Thormahlen, Her name comes from the Gaelic: "to give abundantly, in full measure." Her woods are Big leaf Maple, Black Walnut trim with a Sitka Spruce soundboard, & at 14#, she's easiy to play & lovely for use in nursing homes or for small events.

In January 2007, I wanted a bit more range, & added a 34 string Sligo harp, 'Rowan Luchair,' crafted by Rick Kemper in Maryland to my harmony of harps. Rowan is a round backed, Irish inspired harp made of Koa; the soundboard is spruce & cedar, faced with cherry veneer, & the strings fluorocarbon. Rick's name for this harp, 'Luchair,' is Gaelic for "Joy."
Koa, more familiar in ukuleles, is being discovered by luthiers around the country as an excellent harp wood. Folks loves Rowan's rich bass, & the lowhead style & modest weight (17#) makes her also portable!
My third harp, Bella Luna, came to me as the reward for fulfilling a Millenium Harp Quest. She arrived Feb 20, 2008, the day of a lunar eclipse! Her range is 26 strings, so though smaller than Tuille, she has a surprisingly large voice.

I began using Reiki 'hands on' & distant healing in 1989, & naturally integrated Reiki into my harp music. I have also studied Song Medicine with Eric Vormans, the Sunray Meditation Society, & musicians Laurie Riley, Ani Williams, & Tina Tourin. With the music background, I find it natural to compose & arrange music for the harp.