Tulips, Mountains and Music

On the day of the Tulip Festival with a very early start and excitement building we piled into the campervan, squishing in and around the combined gear of myself and Dad (The Alpaca Man)

Eventually we arrrived in Wynyard  and with the assistance of Ethan and Esther my adorable niece and nephew I set up with puppet master and strings all in order thanks to my multi tasking and kind hearted mother, ever working in the background to ensure things run smoothly and all is well.

This only being the second time I had been invited to the Blooming Tulip Festival 

I was incredibly impressed by the range of entertainment and activities showcased  along with local foods. The place had such a nice atmosphere, the weather remained amicable and the amount of people circling around to watch and applaud me was a real boost. 

Many asked for CDs, and I almost ran out of business cards and flyers.

However, nothing beats the feeling I get seeing adults and children alike foot tapping and dancing to the beat of celtic song.

https://www.facebook.com/twistedstringstas

Comment of the day

"I bought my daughter back this year just so we could hear you play again."

https://www.facebook.com/BloominTulips

I ended the day on a high, with my mind brimming with new ideas and improvements to make and indulging in the revitalising and thirst quenching properties of Henry's Ginger Beer, by purchasing a box of six! 

This friendly family of three greatly assisted me in setting up my own little business and now tour the state from show ground to festival selling the popular beverage.

https://www.facebook.com/henrysgingerbeer

 Mountain Mumma's Saturday Music Night.

https://www.facebook.com/mountainmummatas

After returning back home I hopped straight into preparations for my half hour support gig at the local restaurant Mountain Mumma's Music Night.

After my little stint Dominic (owner of Mountain Mumma) kindly supplied myself and Dad (my plus one) with a meal and refreshments as we sat back and relaxed amid the music, stage banter and wonderful atmosphere that made up the inspiring performance of Rose Bygrave and Marce Howard!

It was a wonderful way to wind down after our hectic day.

Plus I got to have a one on one conversation with the stars of the night while we ate, who rather took me under their wing, encouraging and supplying me with tips on stage and microphone management along with snippets of historical facts concerning the Harp.

 Marce Howard                                  Dominic                                       Rose Bygrave  

 

I was eventually drawn away and welcomed home by the warmth of lantern flame at the front door,

illuminating the beautiful quote that seemed to sum up the entire day we'd spent participating in the festive celebration of Tassie's food, music and beauty. 

"A little corner of the world where peoples heart and hand called up a fairytale."

Silks and Strings

So folks, this blog post has been floating around unfinished for a few months! and finally I have had the time to complete and share it with you. 

Enjoy.

"Dare you cross the border to creativity?"

After playing at the Young Makers Market and Buskers Festival in Burnie, I was invited to perform at the Arts On Fire event held in Ulverstone, at the Civic Centre on Sunday the 22nd of June. A great exhibition of artists, craftsmen and entertainers from all across our little island state.  

Having accepted the invite I was then contacted by Robin, an amazingly hard working and beautiful arial silks artist whom I had previously met during my short time involved with Ulverstone's Slip Stream Circus! 

We had been playing with the idea of joining forces and performing together for some time, so having both been invited to exhibit our abilities for the same event, we agreed to meet up and try to find some harp music suited to Robins prearranged silks routine. 

Our creative playground 

Dizzying heights and flowing moves

Feeling exhilarated after watching the video of our practice routine

After the first practice session with Robin, I had more of a grasp on how to go about altering the chosen piece of music. It being the first time ever that I had to accompany someone doing their own routine, 

I thought it'd be pretty challenging. However, after a bit of trial and error I set the changes in the music that had to be timed to Robins act, and managed to loosely improvise in-between.

With some practice sessions up our sleeves and a goodly amount of encouragement
we felt happy with our act.

Getting a little stage wary

This amazing young photographer managed to slip away from his stall and snap this great picture of Robin wowing the crowed. Please follow the link and like his page to support the time and effort, not to mention passion that he has put in to his business. 

https://www.facebook.com/CordellRichardsonPhotography?ref=br_tfplease

And finally, here's the link to the video of our quite unique performance! Give it a big old like and share it with all you please!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QDp1sH56kk&feature=youtu.be

For more of a look at what this years Arts On Fire showcased, follow this link to their webpage

http://www.artsonfire.org.au/photos2014.php

Hope to see you there next year!

Burnie Festival

Returning for it's second year

  as a part of Youth Week on Saturday the 12th April, Burnie held it's Young Makers Market and Buskers Festival. A day for creative folk and street performers aged between 12 and 25 to congregate in the cbd and expose their talent and creations to the public.

Deciding to finally take the Puppet Act out on the streets, as it was originally intended for, I loaded Dads van and we headed off to introduce Puppet Winder to the life of street performance. 

Setting up was a bit of an ordeal as it took two trips to get ladder, harp, puppet and box of accessories to our designated spot.

I dare say Puppet Winder was a little nervous, but he overcame his fears of performing publicly and soon was rejoicing at the experience and reactions of our unsuspecting audience. 

During our time playing on the street, I made a new little friend who added some enchantment with her energetic dancing. She and her patient mother stayed for ages, listening, and dancing blindly amongst the amused pedestrians. She came close to a collision several times, yet managed in the nick of time to bound out of harms way. This little ballerina brightened my day, I love to see this uninhibited expression in the kiddies!

Many thanks for allowing us to capture the moment, and to share it with others.

And thanks to mum, forever camera ready!

Puppet Winder masterfully manipulated the strings to the applause of the onlookers. 

After three hours of playing and with the extra strain of the retractable "puppet strings" my shoulders and wrists were pretty stiff, interesting how even a slight resistance while playing can really affect you after a couple of hours. Yet not only was it worthwhile for the thrill I got from the day's lovely interactions and the fact that I had finally got the act out on the street, but also for the amazing generosity of the passers by, who more than showed their appreciation for my act.

Puppet Winder and I having a break at the Makers Market, on our way to the car after an inspiring day.

Cheers to my sister Marika, for enabling us to get all the gear back in one trip.

Thanks to the organisers, and of course the public who were so enthusiastic in their encouragement.  

Wedding couplet

ONE

A quick change on the road side!

Saturday the 22nd, was a special date for two lovely beings who wished to vow to be one for the rest of their lives.

The wedding I had been booked for took place on Nudie Beach, near Claraence Point about a hour and a half each way from my home town of Sheffield.

The day was slightly overcast, yet warm, and "perfect for photos." as my mum pointed out. Having decided to come along firstly to make sure I got to the right place, and secondly to help me get into my tricky dress. She was as ever, a great source of calm and encouragement while along with the celebrant playing the part of wedding organiser, as we, the groom and best man changed location from a rocky natural stage, to a beautiful carpet of sand, to a jutting rock then back to the sand. All the while negotiating the incoming tide, which started to reclaim the beach three metres in twenty minutes! 
not only was is great exposure for me as a musician but as I joked "exposure to the elements as well."

With the beautiful entrance of the bridesmaids followed by the glowing bride herself, came a heartfelt ceremony with a unique ring warming and coloured sand ritual, punctuated by the sound of the harp strings whimsically playing as the wind lightly blew through them.

The view from the track.

Appropriate attire.  

The first sitting.

The sun comes out to play.

Jutting rock.

A sandy stage.

My stool rescued from the sinking sand,
and propped up
perilously for the brides entrance. 

Comment of the Day 
from a kindly man assisting me with my disappearing stool.

"Wiggle your bottom... Oh I shouldn't say that should I?
I just meant for you to try out sitting..."

A few final tunes from the gorgeous bridesmaids. 

An Eagle spectacle. 

To top off a day spent in the embrace of nature, we glimpsed a beautifully regal

wedge-tail eagle on out way home. 

Arriving home after a long day.

TWO

The chariot. 

Saturday the 29th, one week after the Nudie beach wedding, mum and I once more set out on an adventure. To Perth this time, for a wedding set in the grounds of a beautiful old stone house facing the river.

The ground was soft from the recent rain, but the weather remained fine as I greeted the groom and got organised to play as the guests arrived, spreading out under the trees to await the brides entrance.

My only concern during the event were the aphids, that descended from the Birch above me to crawl up my neck, into my hair and ears in a somewhat distracting manor. So my serene performance was punctuated by many a subtle slapping and brushing. Apart from those pesky bugs, the day went like clockwork. The bride arriving in her shiny red chariot, with her two bridesmaids proceeding her down the petal clad isle. A bit of improvising was needed for the chosen piece Cannon in D, as the entrance of the bridal party took far less time than expected. Beginning four lines in to play the most recognised part of the piece, and ending a little abruptly half way through at the nod of the waiting celebrant.

I continued to play though the signing of the register and as the party flittered around the large garden at the whim of the photographer. Eventually the gathering departed, and with a quick farewell to the newlyweds we crammed the harp and props into our small car, shook off the remaining Aphids and left in high spirits.

Floating tunes and feathers on the breeze  

The bridal party

Comment of the Day

"At least they don't bite, hahaha."

Mum leaving a trail.

The overhanging Birch.

The dearly beloved.

Thanks to

Sally Mineur, my centre of calm.

Also to the parents of both brides and grooms who were so considerate, 

and so encouraging throughout.