Calendar
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 when listed if you have questions or concerns about the event.) If you would like your harp event to be listed here, please contact info@reigningharps.com for submission guidelines.
SEPTEMBER 2023
Sep 14 Bellevue WA. The Eastside Harp Circle will meet in a new location this month – the Newport Way Library in Bellevue, located at 14250 SE Newport Way, just off I-90. Join us on the 2nd Thursday, September 14th from 11:00am-1:30pm, as we play ensemble music together and share our solos and works-in-progress. Come any time after 10:00 am when the library opens to set up, tune your harp, and chat with friends. We’ll have a short break at 12:15 for snacks/lunch (bring your own or a treat for the table). All level players are welcome, or just come and listen! Contact Anna Jenkins – peaceharp@hotmail.com – if you have questions.
Sep 16 Mount Vernon WA. Andrew Anderson is hosting a session with harps for all harpers at Shawn O’Donnell’s Restaurant in La Conner (13724 La Conner-Whitney Rd. Mount Vernon, WA 98273 phone 360-466-4411). Harps are encouraged to arrive with time enough to set up and tune before the session begins. Harps will lead and be supported by the session. Following the session time period, harps may move and continue to exchange tunes more privately in the Boardroom. The event will be part of a full day of events at an Irish Ceili on the 16th of September. The Ceili admission is free. The full schedule is as follows: 1:00-3:00 pm Session with Harp in Front room; 3:00-5:00 pm Ceili dance taught in the Den; 5:00 pm to close Session with Uilleann Pipes in the Den.
Sep 17 Shoreline WA. The annual PSFHS picnic returns after a 4-year hiatus, and at a new location. Join us for Sunday lunch in the park as well as plenty of time for harping and visiting with friends, old and new. We’ll be meeting from 11 am to 4 pm at the gazebo in Cromwell Park, 18030 Meridian Ave N, just south of the Shoreline/King County court house. Free for all harp players, family and dogs on leash welcome. See full details, plus driving and parking instructions on our Announcements page!
Sep 17 Mountlake Terrace WA. No Third Sunday harp circle today, due to art show in the library. But no worries… attend the nearby PSFHS harp picnic instead, see just above!
Sep 21-24 Spanish Peaks CO. Spanish Peaks Harp Retreat with Ireland’s Lynn Saoirse, Scotland’s Rachel Hair, and virtual harp and story workshop Sep 16 with Norway’s Rebecca Harrison. Offerings for all levels of players. See details at www.spanishpeaksharpretreat.com.
Sep 22 Vancouver WA. Vancouver WA/Portland OR Harp Circle usually meets the fourth Friday of every month at Cascade Park Community Library, 600 NE 136th Ave, Vancouver WA. Group tunes, individual tunes and/or songs, creative expression, and a great time! Welcome to all ability levels, 10 am-12 pm. Contact Donita at donita_andrews@yahoo.com for details and to confirm date.
Sep 23 Bothell WA. The next meeting of the wire-strung harp circle will be at Nan Pardew’s home on Saturday, September 23 from 2-5 pm. If you plan to attend, please contact Nan by Thursday, Sept. 21, at nan@twelfthmonth.org (also for directions or details).
Sep 23 Tumwater WA. The Olympia area harp circle meets the fourth Saturday of every month at the Tumwater Timberlake Library. 1-3 pm. Group tunes will be provided, other group tunes and/or individual playing is welcomed. To confirm place and time, or to get on the circle’s mailing list, contact facilitator Jean Stewart at jeanmstewart@comcast.net.
Sep 29-Oct 1 Missoula MT. NOTE DATE CHANGE! Here’s the latest info about the Big Sky Harp Retreat 2023. Check out www.bigskyharpsociety.org under 2023 Retreats and you’ll find out about the new presenter, Rhett Barnwell! He has a very impressive resume! (Also you’ll see the dates are changed to September 29 to October 1 to accommodate him.) Registration forms are available on the website as well as the schedule. If you want to book a room at the Best Western Grant Creek Inn (where the retreat will be held) call 406-543-0700 and talk to the desk to get the group rate of $239.00. There are reserved blocks of 9 rooms with a King bed and 8 rooms with Double Queen beds. (Just tell them it’s for the Big Sky Harp Society. You don’t need any ID numbers.)
OCTOBER 2023
Oct 7 Seattle WA. Monica Schley Workshop at Dusty Strings Music School: Introduction to Harp Therapy. More and more, harpists are lending their hearts and talents to playing healing music, as well as seeking certification to play at the bedside from accredited programs recognized by the National Standards Board of Therapeutic Musicians. In this class, you’ll explore effective styles, modes, and songs to benefit your repertoire, as well as what kind of training you’ll need to play music in health-care facilities. For times, cost, and other details see https://store.dustystrings.com/c-2342-group-classes-sku.aspx.
Oct 15 Mountlake Terrace WA. The Third Sunday Harp Circle meets Third Sundays at the Mountlake Terrace Library, 2 to 4:30 pm. Friendly and relaxed group, all styles and ability levels of harping welcome, solo playing is encouraged but never required. For more information or to be on the reminder list, contact Diane at mdianem@seanet.com.
Oct 21 Seattle WA. Monica Schley Workshop at Dusty Strings Music School: Three Celtic Strains. Join this class for a fun, creative approach to learning more about harp! Irish music tradition recognizes Three Noble Strains, or styles, of playing harp—joy, sorrow, and sleep. In this workshop, you’ll learn what these strains are, what they mean, and how to apply them to harp music. You’ll participate in a Celtic Circle of Song, which focuses on chord progressions and playing freely, and add new tunes to your repertoire. For times, cost, and other details see https://store.dustystrings.com/c-2342-group-classes-sku.aspx.
Oct 27 Vancouver WA. Vancouver WA/Portland OR Harp Circle usually meets the fourth Friday of every month at Cascade Park Community Library, 600 NE 136th Ave, Vancouver WA. Group tunes, individual tunes and/or songs, creative expression, and a great time! Welcome to all ability levels, 10 am-12 pm. Contact Donita at donita_andrews@yahoo.com for details and to confirm date.
Oct 28 Tumwater WA. The Olympia area harp circle usually meets the fourth Saturday of every month at the Tumwater Timberlake Library. Group tunes will be provided, other group tunes and/or individual playing is welcomed. To confirm place and time, or to get on the circle’s mailing list, contact facilitator Jean Stewart at jeanmstewart@comcast.net.
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