Humidity

 Check out this snazzy harpy humidifier!

This fall Rowan and I moved from a 'well ventilated' 100 year old farm style house to my daughter's, which is warmer and has newer windows and a heat pump. 

i.e: indoor air that's too dry!

Rowan Luchair

I noticed my Kemper 34 String Luchair harp Rowan wasn't holding its pitch as it has, and several of its upper register strings broke spontaneously ...   so I ordered new strings (and 'Valley of the Dragon' by Sharon Thormahlen and Rosiee Thor), then looked up articles on harp care and humidity! Purchasing one ready made would have been 10-20$ for just one instrument,  so...

Check out this DIY instrument humidifier that I crafted - I got water beads from our local Joanne's (about $4 with a coupon) and used some small containers from the recycling bin, a skewer  to poke holes, and a hot glue gun to craft one. Viola!! 

The strings held their pitch overnight and I think it sounds brighter already! We're so happy! 

I plan to get tubes to make more, both for my other 2 harps and for a couple of friends (one with a Ukulele!) It seems like a great and inexpensive solution for crafting humidifiers for multiple instruments! 

Here's the tutorial on this simple DIY project

Harp humidifier

I added the backpack tag on plastic line (like the button in Paul's 2nd video - link to that one is in the video's comment thread) for ease of removal. It fits through the lowest soundhole, and sits on the harp base.

We'll be playing for the church Christmas concert this weekend, and have done a couples of gigs for the Soroptomists Women Who Wine events, which replace the holiday tour of homes they hosted for many years. 

Hope you're well this season!

🎶 Nadya and Rowan Luchair 

Grand Opening

Our local aviation and space museum complex has been purchased by the Falls Event Centers, and I will be playing a selection of harp music for the Grand Opening of this new business Wed. March 29.

Rowan Luchair

My offering will be a blend of traditional Celtic and original music, both my own and from favorite NW Harpers including Sharon Thormahlen, Harper Tasche, and Beth Kolle.

On Spring Equinox I was invited into the gradeschool my

With Tuille at my IC art class

grandkids attended to play harp as a background for their painting project! I love seeing the kids' response to live music, and finding out how many of them play an instrument. Art and music are a natural combo! 

And if you'd like to hear me play, but aren't local, you might enjoy this interview with Howie Harkema for our local cable channel 

Happy Harping!

T'is the Season

I love playing for the holidays! The music is fun (I enjoy finding unusual arrangements & less familiar pieces) & folks are so appreciative. I will be playing both Saturday Dec 7 for the Carlton City Christmas Party, and Sunday the 8th at the Bayou Mansion, for the Soroptimist's 25th annual 'Holiday Home Tour.' The tour begins at noon, I'll play from 2-3:30. The silent auction items are at the Mansion, with bidding ending at 5, the Mansion open till 6. 

Ladyharp with Santa at Hillside (2007)

Later in the month, I'll go into my granddaughter's Third Grade classroom to play holiday music while the kids work on a craft project. I've been playing at the school for seven or eight years now - & am always pleased to see how many hands are raised when I ask 'who plays an instrument?'   

Holiday time is also good for '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.  

I enjoy being 'background' music, in a store, in the classroom, at a dinner or party. Folks can continue talking & going about their business, but when I stop playing, they miss that sweet accompaniment.

Happy Holidays, where ever you are!

St Patrick's Day at Bistro Maison

Are you craving a bit of the Irish this weekend? I'll be playing harp at Bistro Maison, a lovely French restaurant on 3rd Street in McMinnville "St Patrick's day is this Saturday. Come visit our many shades of Green & experience a new understanding of what proper corned beef is about. Thick slabs of Carlton Farm's Finest - 503-474-1888 for reservations"

I'll offer tunes from and about Ireland for both Lunch & Dinner this Saturday, March 17th.
It's a popular event, so make your reservations! This is a lovely setting with great food, & harp - what's not to like?
And for my Gluten Free Friends, this French Bistro prepares much of it's food 'naturally gluten free' by simmering the sauce down rather than adding flour to thicken - just let your server know your special dietary needs!

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."

Do make a reservation, if you wish to come down & enjoy a fabulous meal & a bit of Celtic harp music!

March & St Pat's At Bistro Maison

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??

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

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.