Blooming Once Again

Hello all you patient readers.

Due to work and personal life being somewhat hectic of late (namely my partner having a house built) it's been a while since I've done anything "Harpy" of note, but now things are warming up! 

the tiny persistent patch of snow on the Western Tears is all the reminder of the winter we've had.

There really is no better way to celebrate spring musically than joining the thrum and hustle of the Blooming Tulips Festival.

After a very early rising on Saturday the 10th, much rushing and the possibly appearance of stress 

(all of which my ever patient man attributed to me being "so not a morning person")

I arrived in Wynyard. 

Amid sunshine and vibrant stalls, wafting smells and passersby I set up my Traveling Minstrel display, featuring an old black trunk (heavy as all hell), half globe, skeleton umbrella, a world Atlas and many items liberated from the dark and dusty depths of my costume box. 

Favourite among them was the "Tooter", which lay nondescript on the open atlas by my left foot, awaiting the tinkling sound that signified a donation being dropped into the minstrels trunk, with a well timed stomp the tooter would loudly exclaim it's thanks, jolting a bust of uncontrollable giggling or an uncertain look from a child, as though to say "To laugh or cry? that is the question."

Needless to say much fun was had and many a cheeky wink was given to the chuckling crowd.

Let it never be said that a minstrels heart is without humour.

 

Many thanks to Chantelle French the events organiser, 

the Alpaca Man, to whom I attribute my sense of humour,  

my man Remo for his patience and understanding, 

Henry's Ginger Beer for a much needed refreshment, 

and to Toby, 

the very first and very last listener who made my day with her quiet comments of appreciation and gift of pencils. 

Thank you honey.

A Trio Of Spectacular Events

Hello! 

Yes, finally I've written another blog. After the quiet of recent weeks it was great to get out with my harp again, however I'm afraid I've rather fallen out of the habit of blogging. So apologies for the late update friends.

Thursday the 14th

Thursday was my first session with Robbin ,of the SlipStream Circus in Ulverstone, where we started to collaborate in the hopes of forming another act (harp and silks duo) together. After which we paused in the car park to listen to the magical wafting hum of the harp played by the icy fingers of the winter wind. 

Friday the 15th

Friday held an afternoon dance and music gig organised by Sue Atkinson, the Social Care Manager at the Eliza Purton home in Ulverstone where my nan is a resident. Aside from playing, the interaction and shared stories with the other residents made the whole experience quite moving! Plus one of the staff managed to snap a picture of three generations sharing a joke.

Thanks to Sue, Mum and of course Nan for putting in a good word to get me there!

Saturday the 16th

The next day my sister Marika and I had planned to attend the Medieval Feast

held at the Mount Gnomon Farm! we had been hugely anticipating it, when, two days before the event I was contacted by Guy, the owner and organiser in regards to me to play at the very same event!

Yes indeed, it was meant to be.

So, I arrived and met up with Marika, (the brains behind our attending in the first place) who helped set up while I played as maidens, knights, vikings, Kings, peasants and Dragons from all walks of life started to arrive, their pointed hats and shining helmets first appearing through the herb garden as they made their way up to the dinning tent and display area. 

My stint was broken up by bouts of combat displays by the dashing vikings and iron clad knights. By tempting trays of duck canapés and by the ginger beer and wine offered at a nearby stall.

After much indulging we moved the gear and I played for a time inside the wonderful themed open tent, filled with long tables and many a red faced cheerful Lord and Lady.

Rather disappointingly I failed to capture a photo of the farm dog, who did very little yet was noticed for his immense cartoon like character while lounging around somewhat blasé during the entire affair, and whom became my first acquaintance, while lying on my foot as I was trying to play. 

I must add that my much loved deer antlers (acquired in Germany 2010) really set off my little display and it was only right that they should have a place in this post. 

Seeing as they quickly became a much sought after photo prop. 

By sun down the amazing staff at the Gnomon Farm had a roaring bon fire going, which was where the majority of those remaining gathered, sitting on hay bails downing cups of mulled wine and clutching plates of roasted veggies, game pie and spit roast pork. 

A better way to wind down after the events of the day I couldn't imagine. 

I played until the fire burnt too low to see the strings clearly, then continued for a while after just by the feel and "flesh memory". 

The atmosphere was so communal, relaxed and pleasant that I am sure many would have been quite happy to stay right where they were until morning. 

(perhaps continuing the merry making all through the day)

Thanks to Marika for convincing me it was the best idea ever!

Guy and all the staff at Mount Gnomon Farm for holding such an unique and uplifting gathering in the first place!

http://www.mountgnomonfarm.com.au/

http://www.slipstreamcircus.org.au/

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Tidy Towns Australia

Here's a few of my favourite photos snapped by Chris Puccetti (Photographer and owner of Fudge'n'Good Coffee) on the night of the Tidy Towns Awards Feb 27th, which was held in my local town of Sheffield (winner of last years contest).

Having commandeered the family car, and my mother, to cart the extra props around the corner to the venue, we set up and organised ourselves on stage amidst jokes about the loudest screechy toilet door ever known!

I had a 20 minute slot in between announcements, speeches and not to mention the amazing three course meal provided, to play for a hundred and twenty odd people from all over Australia, as well as some of our involved locals.

The first half of my performance was as the "Puppet," a comical character from the little act I had designed for street play, but which is fast becoming a favourite for events like these that are after something engaging and different. I had great fun, in my masked state, with the jerking movements of the "Puppet" awakening, and enjoyed an improvised stare, head tilted rather creepily at the people sitting closest to the stage.

For the second half I "de-masked" and provided a little background information on the harp and how I came to learn it, with the attempt at a joke here and there. 

This is for me by far the hardest part of being on stage as at times it feels like you're trying to maintain a one sided yet cheery conversation with a pile of stones I cant even see due to the stage lights! But with the assistance of a set list with sentence prompts (trick of the trade) and with help from Chris, (another Chris!) the event co-ordinator, my sound tech, lighting, go to man and all round Jack of  All Trades we navigated complications with the mic and the improvised amplifier and managed to pull off a semi professional stage act.

So thanks to Chris, and Chris, for holding the evening together and capturing the moment, and to all the audience who turned out not to be stoney at all and especially those who later tracked me down at my work to share their own feelings and thanks. 

The Little Things

There is some joy I find in making little things, simple things.

I made these ten wooden buttons (with the intention of using them in a costume)

sawn from the branches of our SilverBirch trees after a long overdue trim a few years ago.

Thank you Mum for keeping a few branches back, hidden in the shed to dry out in the sure knowledge that "One day we'll make something from them."

I love the thin rich frame of bark, which peals away in silvery papery sections, leaving stripes down the branches of silver and the fresher darker grey/browns.

Two eyelike holes stare out from a sanded smooth and pale oiled face, hammered in with a nail (no electric drills here!)

Jo Quail

I have recently started working evenings at a local restaurant, which has the ironic perk of holding regular music nights and concerts, with a list of world renowned artists making appearances and local tassie artists regularly opening the shows. So how could I resist when Uk performer Jo Quail came to Mountain Mumma? Well, obviously I couldn't. 

The beautiful electric cello stood on the stage, (as though tempting one to touch) while we (My mother, visiting sister and partner Remo) indulged in the tasting platters and tassie made wines served by the wonderful staff.

Jo Quail took up her bow and stunned all attending with the haunting beauty, and elaborate layered pieces produced with the use of a loop deck and original percussion techniques!

Her music truly enabled me to envisage and imagine compelling and emotion scenes which I related to the piece being played.

I have a little "fetish" with instrument cases, and so took the opportunity after the dreamy show to snap a shot of the entertainers cello case, made of light and hardy "carbon fibre" as Remo pointed out. Every case has marks, stickers, tags and a history of traveling music which I am drawn to! 

Of course I jumped in line to purchase a Cd, (containing my favourite piece the Adder Stone) and gushed at the performer while posing for a snap, curtsy of my long suffering sister Monica. 

We all walked home amid my rambling and lustings after loop decks to slump onto the couch, mug of chai in hand and listen to the album Caldera. 

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