Wedding in a Barn!

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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!