Tag Archives: Ontario

Northern Lights Harp Fest

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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!

Double Harp Demo Video with Acacia Lyra

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49Nj1VpVDs0

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)

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

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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!

Nancy Hurrell Workshop April 26 in Ottawa

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

  • Playing in a Harp Ensemble
  • Renaissance Dance Music for Harp

    • 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

    March 25: The Australian Lipman Harp Duo in Toronto

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    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

    March 14 Celtic Concert in Peterborough

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    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.

    Upcoming December Concerts in the GTA and Peterborough

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    Nov. 28 ’08 – ACACIA LYRA, an Ottawa harp and voice duo with Susan Sweeney Hermon and Janine Dudding, are pleased to be performing once again at Ottawa’s National Arts Centre 4th Stage, with guest musicians on flutes, fiddle, pipes, bodhran and bass. This versatile duo, who sing in many languages, accompanying themselves on Celtic harp and guitar, will present a “Hint of Winter”, with Yuletide and other traditional songs from Scandinavia, the Scottish Hebrides, Brittany, Ireland and Spain. National Arts Centre Fourth Stage, Friday November 28, 8pm. Tickets $16.00, available through www.ticketmaster.ca or 613-755-1111, the NAC Box Office: 613-947-7000 and the Ottawa Folklore Centre: 613-720-2887. Further Information: www.acacialyra.com, and www.nac-cna.ca

    Dec. 4 & 14 – Hurly Burly presents “In Sweetest Harmony”, a concert of Medieval & Renaissance holiday music, Peterborough, ON., a concert of Medieval & Renaissance holiday music, Peterborough, ON.On Thurs., Dec. 4th we’ll be giving a shortened concert free of charge, starting at 8:00 p.m. in the Lady Eaton College dining hall at Trent University. Sunday Dec. 14th at 2:30 p.m. is our full-length seasonal concert at St. John’s Anglican church in the Guild Hall. For more information please visit our website: www.celticharper.com/hurlyburly

    Thursday, December 11 – Friday, December 12: In from the Cold Christmas Concert: The Youth Emergency Shelter (YES) presents In from the Cold 8 p.m., at the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (336 George St., Peterborough). This year’s lineup features: Carried Away, renowned Peterborough folk/vocal group; Enrique Roy Claveer (aka. Curtis Driedger) with Namonia Phelps; The Convivio Chorus, an innovative choir directed by Susan Newman; Michael Ketemer – fingerstyle guitar virtuoso; Tanah Haney, Celtic Harpist and The Mandolin Society of Peterborough. Collectively these acts present an enchanting mix of Christmas music which you won’t find at any other Christmas concert. Tickets are $10 and are available at Titles Bookstore (379 George St., Peterborough). All ticket proceeds go to the Youth Emergency Shelter. For more information call (705) 748-2126. (Details courtesy of the Quid Novis website)