Welcome to our calendar!  Here you will find events of harp interest throughout the Pacific Northwest. (As submissions come from so many different sources, the Puget Sound Folk Harp Society cannot guarantee the accuracy of every detail; please check with the contact person listed if you have questions or concerns about the event.) If you would like your harp event to be listed here, please contact news@reigningharps.com for submission guidelines.

MAY 2012

May 1  Eugene OR.  Application deadline for the Lane Community College Music-Thanatology Training beginning September 2012. Students receive over 500 contact hours in this two year, non-degree training, which includes 19 monthly didactic weekend intensives in Portland, Oregon and weekly clinical internships working alongside MTAI certified music-thanatologists in hospitals and hospices in the Pacific Northwest. This certification preparation training is designed to prepare students to meet the Standards and Competencies of Music-Thanatology Association International (MTAI), the professional organization and independent certification body for music-thanatology worldwide.
Visit http://www.lanecc.edu/ce/careertraining/musicthanatology.html  for more information.

May 5  Vancouver BC.  Seumas Gagne will perform selections from his CD  Baile Àrd with members of the Vancouver and District Gaelic Choir at the Vancouver Gaelic Society Céilidh on Saturday, May 5th, 7:30-10:00 pm at the Scottish Cultural Centre, 8886 Hudson Street Vancouver, BC. For details see http://seumasgagne.com/calendar.php.

May 5, 6  Seattle WA.  Live and recorded harp music is featured at a collaborative art installation titled "Mater Matrix Mother Medium", just before twilight (around 7 pm) at the Dupen Fountain at the Seattle Center. Harpist Monica Schley created her performance under the direction of renowned fiber artist Mandy Greer. Performers include: dancer/choreographer Jessica Jobaris, harpist/poet Monica Schley, vocalist/performance artist Saskia Delores, and filmmaker Rodrigo Valenzuela. Commissioned by the Mayor's Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs for The Next 50 (Seattle Center's 50th Anniversary Celebration), this art event is for all ages and free.

May 6  Tacoma WA.  South Sound Strings Harp Ensemble Concert directed by Patricia Wooster, 3 pm, Schneebeck Concert Hall, free.

May 9  Edmonds WA.  Eastside Harp Circle will meet on Wednesday, May 9th, from 1:00 until 4:00 at the Edmonds home of Ginny Burger and her music-loving dog, Shasta. Bring your works in progress, creative disclaimers, and any finger food treats you may wish to share. For questions or directions, please contact Diana Beaumont at (425) 225-5337 or mdbeaumont@me.com.

May 10  Lakewood WA.  Magical Strings at the Lakewood Playhouse, 8:00 pm, for more info see http://www.magicalstrings.com/Calendar.html.

May 11  Seattle WA.  Carol Levin plays harp with the SharpS Trio as part of the Greenwood/Phinney Art Walk; they'll be in the Red Wine Bar at 65th & Phinney.

May 12  Lake Forest Park WA.  Carol Levin plays harp with The MoodSwings, all-women big band, 7:30-9:30 pm at Third Place Books, 17171 Bothell Way NE. Free.

May 12  Portland OR.  Luke Brechtelsbauer plays a harp concert at 7:30, Stomptown Collective, 226 SE Madison St. Music ranges from original, Celtic, country, Greek, Macedonian, and more!

May 12  Seattle WA.  Workshop at Dusty Strings: How Do the Professionals Do It? with instructor Laurie Riley, 10:15 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., $60. A day of learning a broad spectrum of skills, ideas, and philosophies to make your music more professional-sounding. Ways to improve your arrangements, produce better tone, play with more confidence, and plan varied and interesting concert repertoire and set lists. How to keep the audience's attention, talk about your pieces, use good stage deportment, deal with stage fright, use pickups and microphones, and much more. Bring your instrument and be prepared to do a lot of playing! For intermediate and advanced players. Call 206-634-1662 for more info or to register.

May 12  Tacoma WA.  Magical Strings in Concert with Tacoma Youth Chorus, 2 and 5 pm, 21st Annual Spring Serenade, Lagerquist Hall, Pacific Lutheran University, for more info see http://www.magicalstrings.com/Calendar.html.

May 13  Whidbey Island WA.  Harper Tasche's 19th annual matinee concert for Mother's Day, from noon-4 pm at Meerkerk Rhododendron Gardens, 3531 Meerkerk Lane, Greenbank. Bring a quilt and a picnic and stay all day! For more information see www.meerkerkgardens.org.

May 13  Seattle WA.  John Carrington will be playing harp in Fremont at the Theo Chocolate Factory, 3400 Phinney Ave N, in Fremont for Mother's Day, 2 to 5 pm. Stop in and get mom some of their award-winning Fair Trade organic chocolate confections or sign up for a tour of the Factory while enjoying background harp music.

May 19  Kenmore WA.  Seirm Spring Concert and Dance. Spring is in the air, and so is the sound of great Gaelic music (with several harps in the band)! Doors open at 7:30, Ceilidh dance workshop at 7:40, Show starts at 8:00. Attendance is open to all current SnG members and their invited guests. Becoming a member is easy! See http://www.slighe.com/calendar.php#632 for more information. Snacks provided by Seirm. $5 for Slighe nan Gaidheal individual members, $10 for member families, $8 for individual non-members, $15 for non-member families. Kenmore Community Club, 7304 NE 175th Street.

May 19, 20  Seattle WA.  Magical Strings booth at University Street Fair, for more info see http://www.magicalstrings.com/Calendar.html.

May 20  Mountlake Terrace WA.  The Third Sunday harp circle meets at the Mountlake Terrace Library, 2-4:30 pm. All levels, styles, and ages welcome! We play tunes together and also encourage (though never require) solo playing. For more details or directions, contact Diane at zawamoss@seanet.com.

May 20  Eugene OR.  First meeting of the new ISFHC Chapter, the Willamette Valley Folk Harp Society, 3 pm, Eugene Hotel's Dining Room. (Harps invited.) Organizational and planning meeting for future chapter activities.

May 25-28  Seattle WA.  Northwest Folklife Festival at the Seattle Center. Hundreds of performers on dozens of stages throughout the weekend. See the on-line schedule (available May 3) at http://www.nwfolklifefestival.org/schedule/. (You can usually search for the word "harp" and find a number of performers.) Those harp players who submitted calendar entries for their Folklife performances are listed separately below!

May 25  Seattle WA.  Seumas Gagne appears as part of the Highland Fling Showcase at the Northwest Folklife Festival, 4:20-4:50 pm at the Northwest Court Stage at the Seattle Center.

May 25  Seattle WA.  Molly Bauckham (Sweet, Soulful Harp and Voice) will perform at the Northwest Folklife Festival, 5:15 pm at the Alki Court Stage at the Seattle Center.

May 26  Seattle WA.  Scottish Gaelic group Seirm and its fine harpers will perform at the Northwest Folklife Festival, 5 pm in the Center House Theater at the Seattle Center.

May 27  Seattle WA.  Carol Levin plays harp with The MoodSwings all-woman big band at the Northwest Folklife Festival, 11:50-12:20 at the Mural Ampitheater at the Seattle Center.T

May 27  Bellingham WA.  Kathie Hardy performs from 1-3 pm, Time In Play Cafe at 311 E. Holly St. in Bellingham, 360-398-9844, www.timeinplay.com.

May 28  Seattle WA.  Dinas o Frain (The City of Crows), a Welsh music trio with harp (played by Motter Snell), will perform at the Northwest Folklife Festival, 11:40 am at the Northwest Court Stage at the Seattle Center.

May 28  Seattle WA.  Linda Khandro plays harp to accompany Stewart Hendrickson, Irish Slow Airs & Songs, at the Northwest Folklife Festival, 11:40 am-12:10 pm, at the Folklife Cafe (McCaw Hall, south end of lobby) at the Seattle Center.

May 28  Seattle WA.  Magical Strings performs at Northwest Folklife Festival,  5 pm (check schedule for location).

JUNE 2012

Jun 2, 3  Ferndale WA.  Harp Tent at the Bellingham Highland Games, Hovander Park, Ferndale, WA. Kathie Hardy, Becky Fox, and other harpers will perform on the half-hour, and storytellers from the Storyteller’s Guild will tell stories on the hour, 10 am-5 pm throughout the weekend in the Harp Tent. . There will be a "try your hands on the Celtic harp" session, and a harp circle on Sunday. Performers who sign up in advance can get a pass; please contact Kathie at 360-319-7081 (note: out of town May 4-22nd) or Becky Fox at 360-428-3885.

Jun 3  Seattle WA.  An Alaska Celtic Cruise with Magical Strings (Phil Boulding, harp) and Golden Bough (Margie Butler, harp), departs Seattle for Alaska on June 3rd, returning on the 10th. There will be workshops, concerts, sessions, and ceilidhs on-board, as well as port visits. For  itinerary & information go to: www.CelticMusicCruise.com.

Jun 8-10  Crystal Mountain WA.  The Puget Sound Folk Harp Society's Summer Retreat at Crystal Mountain takes place Friday through Sunday near the ski resort at Crystal Mountain. Cozy, family-style gathering with informally moderated hands-on harp sessions. All levels and styles welcome! Registration information available April 1st at www.pugetsoundfolkharpsociety.org.

Jun 8-10  New Orleans LA. The New Orleans Jazz & Pop Harp Weekend will be held in New Orleans, Louisiana, June 8, 9 & 10, 2012. University of New Orleans will host the event. For complete info, see http://www.neworleansjazzharp.com/.

Jun 13-17.  Slighe nan Gaidheal bi-annual Féis, June 13-17, 2012, at historic Fort Worden near Port Townsend, Washington. Includes instruction in Gaelic language, song, and traditional instruments including the harp. Cynthia Cathcart, harp presenter, is an expert on the wire-strung harp of Scotland and Ireland, and her classes will provide traditional techniques and repertoire to players of wire-, nylon-, or gut-strung harps. For more information, see http://www.slighe.com/topic.php?topic_id=4. 

Jun 15-17  Suttle Lake OR.  Cascades Harp Retreat, a  packed weekend of workshops for pedal and lever harpist of all levels, led by outstanding teachers, catered by experienced chefs, in the heart of the Oregon Cascade Mountains at Suttle Lake Camp and Retreat Center, only two hours from the Willamette Valley, and an hour from Bend. Hosted by Laura Zaerr and Hilary Smith, with featured guest Sunita Staneslow. For more information or registration form, call Laura at 541-757-8313 or e-mail lauraz@peak.org.

Jun 17  Mountlake Terrace WA.  Third Sunday harp circle continues through the summer! Come join us for a low-pressure and supportive circle; we play group tunes and encourage, but never require, solo playing. For details contact Diane at zawamoss@seanet.com. 

June 23-24  Richland WA.  Magical Strings booth and performances at Ye Merrie Greenwood Faire, Howard Amon Park, for more info see http://www.magicalstrings.com/Calendar.html.

Jun 23-29  Rocky River OH.  Seattle's Seumas Gagne teaches at Ohio Scottish Arts School with Sue Richards, Ann and Charlie Heymann, Jen McGovern Narkevicius. New this year is an option to build your own harp! For complete info, see http://www.ohioscottishartsschool.com/osas2012_003.htm.

Jun 23-24  Richland WA.  Harper Tasche gives costumed performances throughout the day featuring the buzzy bray harp and the gentle folk harp, in this  impromptu 16th-century English village at Howard Amon Park on the banks of the mighty Columbia River. For more information see  http://www.yemerriegreenwoodfaire.org.

Jun 23-30  County Clare, Ireland. The Irish Traditional Music Institute's week-long school offers intensive tuition in traditional Irish harp and an impressive programme of social and cultural events. Music tuition will be provided by renowned harpists and experienced teachers such as Kim Fleming, Deirdre O’Brien-Vaughan and Bethan Watson. There will be an Irish studies lecture by Dr. Caoilfhionn Ní Bheacháín and a guided walking tour of the Burren by Dr. Angus Mitchell. There will also be opportunities to attend and participate in local music sessions. For more info, visit www.itmi.ie.

JULY 2012

Jul 14  Mt. Vernon WA.  Kathie Hardy performs in the Harp Tent at the Skagit Highland Games, 10:30 - 10:50 am.

Jul 14-15  Mt. Vernon WA.  Skagit Valley Highland Games Harp Tent will be hosting performances, Try The Harp mini-lessons for audience members, harp circles and Celtic jam sessions throughout the two days of the Games. All harpers (any age, any ability) are welcome and invited to join in the fun. Harpers performing their sets or bringing a harp to join the harp circle or jams who sign up in advance can contact Sally Verrinder at highlandharps@yahoo.com for a gate pass. Performing harpers include: Harper Tasche, Seumas Gagne, Celtic Muse and many others. Harp Circle is at 1:00 and the all-instrument Celtic Jam right after at 2:30 on both days. There is a link at www.pugetsoundfolkharpsociety.org for the new Celtic Tunes Lead Sheets that we will be using for our group tunes and jam sessions - please print them and bring them along.

Jul 15  Mountlake Terrace WA.  Third Sunday harp circle continues through the summer! Come join us for a low-pressure and supportive circle; we play group tunes and encourage, but never require, solo playing. For details contact Diane at zawamoss@seanet.com. 

Jul 17  Gig Harbor WA.  Magical Strings in Concert at Gig Harbor’s Skansie Park, 6:30 pm, for more info see http://www.magicalstrings.com/Calendar.html.

Jul 20-22  Olalla WA.  Magical Strings Annual Harp and Dulcimer Camp, July 20-22 (Friday-Sunday). Arrival and registration begins at noon on Friday, and the last session ends at 2 pm on Sunday. Camp takes place at Magic Hill, Magical Strings’ own beautiful 5-acre home on the Puget Sound, overlooking Colvos Passage. Participants may camp in the pasture near the studio, or make reservations at nearby B&B’s and motels in Olalla, Purdy, Gig Harbor or Port Orchard. Camp welcomes beginners and experienced alike with a desire to explore a unique and intimate relationship with the Celtic harp and hammered dulcimer. Harps and dulcimers will be available for rent or purchase. Instructors are Philip and Pam Boulding - performers, teachers, composers, recording artists, and harp makers since 1978. Five assistants will be available for tutoring. Fee for the weekend is $295. Complete details and session descriptions as well as registration information is available at http://www.magicalstrings.com/HarpCamp.html.

Jul 26-29  Parsippany NJ.  Somerset Harp Festival with workshops, concerts, etc.; for more info see http://www.somersetharpfest.com/.

Jul 27-29  Bellevue WA.  Magical Strings Booth at Bellevue Festival of the Arts, for more info see  http://www.magicalstrings.com/Calendar.html.

Jul 29-Aug 11  Vancouver BC.  Canadian International Summer Harp Institute at VSO School of Music, 843 Seymour Street, Vancouver BC, V6B 3L4, Canada. Classical instruction on pedal or lever harp for beginners (Gr. 1-4 Royal Conservatory of Music), intermediates (Gr. 6-8), and advanced (Gr. 10 and up). Various time/price packages are available, which include lessons, ensembles, student/faculty recitals, and group dinners. Instructors: Gianetta Baril, Elizabeth Volpé-Bligh, Cristina Braga, and Judy Loman. Accommodations not included but comfortable, reasonably priced rooms are available nearby. For more program information contact Elizabeth Volpé Bligh at evolpebligh@gmail.com, for registration forms contact Louise Ironside at the VSO School of Music: louise@vsoschoolofmusic.ca.

AUGUST 2012

Aug 3-5  Anacortes WA.  Magical Strings Booth at the Anacortes Arts Festival, for more info see http://www.magicalstrings.com/Calendar.html.

Aug 10-13  Vashon Island WA.  Vashon Island Harp Camp returns by popular demand this summer, offering fun harp sessions for adults, youth and kids. All levels of harp playing are welcome! LAURA ZAERR, dynamic University of Oregon harp instructor, will be coming north to offer classes on composing, arranging and more, while JUDITH CUMMINGS will open our eyes to the rich traditions of Gaelic music and the Scottich clarsach. Camp director LESLIE McMICHAEL is writing new harp ensemble pieces just for Harp Campers, and in between music jams, participants can explore the meadow and beach just steps from the Ober Beach harp studio.  Thursday, August 9 is Junior Harp Camp, a day camp for Suzuki Book One players. Friday-Saturday, August 10-11 is the Youth Session of Vashon Island Harp Camp for lever and pedal players of all levels, middle to high school. And Sunday-Monday, August 12-13 is slated as the Adult Session of VIHC which happens on every other year. Early bird tuition for Junior Harp Day Camp is $95, and early bird tuition for Adult and Youth Harp Camp sessions is $225. For registration form and more details, visit www.pluckmusic.com, or contact Leslie McMichael, leslieharp@comcast.net or 206-898-4972.

Aug 11  Seattle WA.  Workshops at Dusty Strings with instructors Jo and Wayne Morrison. $35 for one workshop, $60 for both. Adapting Bagpipe Music for the Harp, 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - The Scottish bagpipe has a vast repertoire of tunes of all sorts - airs, marches, dances - that work beautifully on the harp. Unfortunately, in many cases bagpipe notation makes them seem much more difficult than they really are. This workshop will provide an overview of sources of these tunes and how to adapt them for the harp. We will give you instructions on reading and understanding bagpipe music, an overview of the ornamentation, and suggestions on how to make the music work on the harp. At least one simple tune will be taught orally. All levels welcome. Other string instruments (i.e. hammered dulcimer, guitar) also welcome. Bring a music stand! Pictures at a Harp Exhibition, 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. - This is a creativity exercise at the harp. Bring your harp and an open mind, and discover ways to use drawings or images to spark your creativity and help you approach harping in other ways. We will take turns musically interpreting drawings and designs, and find out what the listeners derive from our music. There is no right or wrong way to do this, and we learn from each other and by challenging our mind to make creative connections we've not made before. We will also discuss how to use what you've learned in your future harping. All levels: even those who cannot yet play a tune on the harp can do this. Other instruments (i.e. hammered dulcimer, guitar) also welcome.

Aug 14-18  Wells BC.  Annual International Harp School at Island Mountain Arts in Wells, British Columbia. Three courses, with instructors Sharlene Wallace (beginners); Alys Howe (intermediates); Máire Ní Chathasaigh (advanced). For more information see http://www.imarts.com/artschool/86/international+harp+school.

Aug 19  Mountlake Terrace WA.  Third Sunday harp circle continues through the summer! Come join us for a low-pressure and supportive circle; we play group tunes and encourage, but never require, solo playing. For details contact Diane at zawamoss@seanet.com. 

SEPTEMBER 2012

Sep 8  Seattle WA.  Workshops at Dusty Strings with instructor Seumas Gagne.  $35 per workshop, or $60 for both. Secrets of Classical Harp Technique, 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - In the folk harp world we often hear about pedal harp technique, but what does that really mean? In this workshop Seumas covers the basics of classical harp technique, tailored for the folk harper, including hand and arm position, improving tone, and using a metronome to take your playing to the next level (no matter what level you are at now). Suitable for all levels. Rocking the Background, 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. - Want to have something more interesting to do with your harp than playing the tonic chord of the key when accompanying other players and singers? In this workshop we will use a variety of non-paper-based methods of learning rhythms and chord progressions to accompany songs and dance tunes. You'll be able to do it for "reel" at the end! Advanced-beginner to intermediate.

Sep 9  Bellingham WA.  Kathie Hardy performs at the Labyrinth in Fairhaven Park, Upper Pavilion, for a free noon to 1 pm  "peace hour" concert. Bring picnic blankets or chairs. Guest musician Jerry Kramer on mountain dulcimer.

Sep 14-17  Holden Village WA (near Lake Chelan).  Harper Tasche celebrates his 30th year of music-making at this interfaith retreat center with an intimate acoustic concert and liturgical performances. For more information see www.holdenvillage.org.

Sep 27-30  Walsenburg CO.  Colorado’s 2012 Spanish Peaks International Celtic Harp Retreat with instructors Heather Yule, Linda Larkin, Lisa Wynn, Michele Buchanan, Julie Norem-Hawley, and Wendy Stewart. All harp events at La Plaza Inn, Walsenburg. All harp events are on the web site at www.celticmusicfest.com.

OCTOBER 2012

Oct 13  Shoreline WA.  Legends of the Celtic Harp, a nationally acclaimed concert featuring Patrick Ball, Aryeh Frankfurter, and Lisa Lynne. Save the date! Details available as they develop.

This page was last updated on May 04, 2012