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     The Carolan Marathon
     La Fiesta!
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     Jams
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Can't make it to Somerset? Then come to the
Harpers' Escape Weekend
October 4-6, 2013

 

 

 

 

Great Stuff & Other Special Events

Friday Night after the Concert

somersetsgottalentFriends Playing for Friends

Join us in the Atrium for a relaxed get-together where you can listen and enjoy the music, or other talents, of your Somerset friends. We'll have the stage set with a few microphones, a few harps and turn the "show" over to participants. Those who would like to play, sing or dance or do their comedy routine, are asked to sign-up in advance at the registration desk on Friday. We'll have an Emcee handy to keep things moving along. Participants will get a Somerset's Got Talent t-shirt for their efforts.

Carolan Marathon: NEW DAY TIME ACTIVITY! Saturday at 3:30pm

grainne
Grainne Hambly


carolan
Turlough O'Carolan
NEW THIS YEAR DURING THE DAY: If you love the music of Carolan, one of Ireland's best known harper composers, come to this themed harpers' round-robin. Any player in the circle can start a piece and others will join in if they know the tune. Bring a harp and play by ear or bring your music stand and the sheet music, or just sit and enjoy the music. BY REQUEST of our attendees, we're holding this event during the day rather than after the evening concert!

New Record for the Marathon. 30 Tunes in 2012: Here's the list of tunes that were played at the 2012 Carolan Marathon: Capt. O'Kane, Lady Gethin, Eleanor Plunkett, Mrs. Farrell, Fanny Power, George Brabazon, Carolan's Welcome, Planxty Irwin, Lord Galway's Lamentation, Carolan's Quarrel with the Landlady, Bridget Cruise, Planxty Hewlitt, Lord Inchiquin, Princess Royale, Madam Maxwell, Planxty Burke, Carolan's Dream, Si Beag, Si Mor, Loftus Jones, Morgan Magan, Henry MacDermott Roe (#1), Hugh O'Donnell, Capt. Sudley, Planxty Browne, Carolan's Draft, The Sea is Deep, Blind Mary, Carolan's Cap, Lament for Owen Roe O'Neill, Carolan's Concerto.

Saturday Banquet: 5:30-7pm Performer Hosts Announced!
kimrobertson louisetrotter sunita

Your banquet hosts: Kim Robertson, Louise Trotter & Sunita Staneslow

Join Your Friends & Colleagues at a sumptuous meal catered just for the Somerset harp community. Stop. Relax. Connect with old friends and get to know the new friends you've made. We'll have tables that will be hosted by popular presenters and performers Kim Robertson, Sunita Staneslow and Louise Trotter. Entrees will include vegetarian fare.
Tickets $45: must be purchased in advance. Check-off the Banquet option on the registration form. If registered already and want to get a ticket, you can call Kathy at 856-795-7637 to get a ticket. The deadline to get tickets is July 18, when we get our order to the caterer.
The Menu Will Be Announced in June. Here's what we ate in 2012:
Salad: Mixed Field Green Salad with Dried Cranberries, Toasted Almonds, Red Onion and Cherry Tomato with  Raspberry and Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing
Entrees: Chicken Marsala with Mushrooms, Baked Tilapia in a Citrus White Wine Sauce, Penne Vodka with Julienne Vegetables
Chef’s Choice of Starch and Vegetables
Fresh Rolls and Butter
Desserts: Chef’s Assortment of Desserts and Pastries
Freshly Brewed Coffee, Decaffeinated Coffee and Herbal Tea Selection
Diet and Regular Soft Drinks and Unsweetened Iced Tea with Lemon

Live Dinner Music by Janet Witman

La Fiesta! Saturday Night after the Concert
Join Angel Toloso, Patrice Fisher, Carlos Valladares and Alfredo Rolando Ortiz for our second Saturday night Fiesta! Yes, it's a Party with a distinctly Latin American flavor. The musicians will be jamming and you'll be dancing to the lively sounds of harps and percussion. No previous dance experience necessary: just come to move to the music! Ladies, feel free to wear a flouncy skirt and gents can wear a loose-fitting long-sleeved shirt or just come as you are! Grab a drink from the bar. Relax and enjoy the ambience.
angel
luzmaalfredo patrice&carlos  




fiesta



Jams: every night following the concert

What is a Jam? Quite simply, it's a social gathering where musicians come together to play music. We set aside some rooms for informal jams after each of the evening concerts and then line up a few "ringers" to help the prime the pump. Some of the jams use sheet music or are built on a particular theme. Pick one that's right for you. You can come to play or come to listen. There's also nothing stopping any number of friends from getting together to create their own jam either. We'll have a daily Jam list on the bulletin board near the registration desk where you can sign-up for a room and post your own session. (photo of Harpers Escape alumni who got together for a few tunes on Friday night in 2009.) Pull up a chair, grab your harp!

Getting Private Lessons

Many of our attendees would like to get in some private lesson time with their favorite presenters while they are at the festival. You must be registered at the festival to take advantage of this. The cost is $65/hour and is paid directly to the artist at the time of the lesson. Lesson time/availability is strictly at the discretion of the artist. Put in a request by emailing Kathy with the name of the presenter and she will forward all requests.

Harp pool loaner program

If you are flying or coming by train to the festival and can't bring a harp, we will have a small pool of loaner harps available. Please indicate your need for a loaner harp on the Registration Form or email us so we know how many harps to secure. Deadline for applying for a loaner harp: May 25 (the early-bird deadline). No guarantees after that date. At the festival then all you do is sign out your harp for the day at the Registration Desk by 9am. Please: if you are coming by car do not ask for a loaner harp just because it's more convenient than bringing your own harp. We have a limited supply that enables people who truly need them to have them.

Want to make a harp available? If you would like to share your harp with a harp-less attendee, come to the Registration Desk and let us know what workshop period you won't need your harp and we'll arrange a hand-off time.

Harp Corral

What's this? You can temporarily park your harp in our Harp Corral, located next to the Registration Desk, while you have a meal or go shopping in the Vendor Mall. Space is limited so if you are a hotel guest and don't need your harp for an extended period of time, please park your harp in your hotel room. We do have harpers coming for the day who don't have that option. Harp Corral hours: 9am-9pm (no overnights!) You must pick up your harp at the end of the evening concert.

If you find a mistake in any of these schedules pages please let me know!

Do you have a harp or music product to sell?
Get a booth or table at the festival. Call Kathy 856-795-7637.
Here's our rate card.

Updated 5/7/13
Workshop descriptions and schedules are subject to change.