International Harp Festival

Walnut Creek, CA, May 12, 2016 - The International Harp Festival will make you forget about what you thought a harp could sound like. Forget arpeggios and glissandi, forget your ideas of a stereotypical harpist. This isn't the harp of your Grandparent's time. Hold onto your hats and get acquainted with the the many different faces and sounds of the harp at the International Harp Festival.
If you like surprises, great music and mind blowing performances, get your tickets now! From May 26 through 29, 2016, The International Harp Festival is presenting over 40 workshops and concerts featuring 19 world class performers, several of whom hail from the Bay Area.
Deborah Henson-Conant
All of the concerts and workshops are open to the public! Tickets can be purchased online at The International Harp Festival or by calling 800-836-5559.
Each evening concert will highlight the many different styles of music that can be played on a wide variety of harps.
The Timeless Harp
Thursday, May 26, 7:30, Doors open at 7:00 p.m.
Cheryl Ann Fulton: Cheryl Ann is a professor of Music History at UCLA. She will perform medieval, Baroque and Classical era pieces on three historical harps: Italian triple, Welsh triple and single action pedal harp. Hear the music as it was played hundreds of years ago. Washington Post said, andldquo;Fulton drew from all of them a serene and delicate soundandhellip; remarkable instruments which Fulton played with total skill and reverent affectionandquot;.

Barbary Grant: The music of Barbary Grant is playful, romantic and unapologetically lovely. She specializes in Traditional Celtic songs performed in all three Gaelic languages: Irish, Scots Gaelic and Manx. She has shared the stage with Boys of the Lough, Eric Rigler/Bad Haggis, the Wicked Tinkers, John Whelan and Alex Beaton.

Stephan Haluska: As the sound of angels in heaven and dream sequences, the harp has developed a mystical persona in western culture. Stephan explores many of the more unfamiliar sounds capable on the instrument through his compositions and improvisations, pushing it beyond its stereotypes, in attempt to demystify the harp.
Motoshi Kosako: From standards to original compositions, Motoshi will delight your ears with a wonderful evening of solo harp jazz. The Sacramento Magazine says,andldquo;Kosako plays with fluid, modern style that evokes Keith Jarrett and Chick Coreaandquot;.

The Sounds of World Music
Friday, May 27, 8:15 p.m., Doors open at 7:45 p.m.
Beth Kollandeacute;: Beth Kollandeacute; performs on harp, flute and pennywhistle, and sings in Norwegian, Swedish and Gaelic. She also teaches Scandinavian folkdance and song at festivals and retreats around the United States. She organized the three HARPA tours to Scandinavia to perform and promote harp-playing in 2006,
Joanna Mell: Hear Joannaandrsquo;s masterful playing of the Celtic harp, with lyrical and evocative vocals. Joanna Mell has been playing Celtic music for over 40 years. She played guitar, mandolin and keyboards and sang in a Celtic band on the East Coast during the 1980s and 90s
John Metras: As if the harp were not enough challenge to master, Metras will astonish listeners as he performs on the cross-strung harp, highlighting the versatility and chromatic possibilities of this instrument. John's forte is cover tunes played on these unusual instruments.
Diana Rowan: Diana weaves Western classical sensibilities with Balkan, Sephardic and Middle Eastern inspirations, emphasizing the ethereal aspects of the harp as both an ancient and contemporary instrument. Diana will perform original harp compositions, drawing on global harp traditions and the sheer mystical force of music. Her playing is infused with andquot;unusual power and beautyandquot;.

Dynamic Dames of the Harp
Saturday, May 28, 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 7:00 p.m.
Deborah Henson-Conant: This is a MUST-SEE performer. You have never before heard or seen the harp played like this. Deborah plays the harp, tells stories and sings. She loves the Blues and Latin music, so you'll hear harp playing that often sounds like a Blues guitar, or a Flamenco band - and a voice that has been compared to Carly Simon. Her one-woman shows mix music, humor and a more theatrical presentation including show-length stories. A andldquo;triple-threatandrdquo; composer, arranger and performer, Henson-Conant is known for her on-stage humor and an ability to interact with an audience of thousands as though they were sitting together in her living room.

Destiny Muhammad Jazz Trio: Destiny is well known as andquot;The Sound Sculptressandquot;, as she blends her extraordinary voice with the harp in her original compositions and cover songs.
She has created her own sound as a recording and performing Artist and singer-songwriter on the harp. Her genre andlsquo;Celtic to Coltraneandrsquo; is cool and eclectic with a feel of Jazz along with storytelling to round out the sonic experience. Both a harpist and vocalist, Destiny is well known for her distinctive brand of stirring music and vocals. She will perform with her jazz trio, featuring Leon Joyce, Jr. on drums and Noriyuki andldquo;Kenandrdquo; Okada on upright bass.

Take Five: Five Phenomenal Performers

Sunday, May 29, 7:30 p.m., Doors open at 7:00 p.m.

Lisa Lynne & Aryeh Frankfurter: A multi-instrumentalist duo with Celtic Harps, Swedish Nyckelharpa, Ukrainian Bandura, Bouzouki, Cittern and more. You will be spellbound and enchanted with their unique show of breathtaking music both Traditional and original, with wondrous stories and humor entwined.

The Pacific Arts Trio: The combination of harp, flute and cello will enthrall listeners. This imaginative trio performs a wide variety of music. Hear works from the diverse styles of composers including Respighi, Scarlatti, Byrd, Albeniz, Bizet, Boccherini, Ravi Shankar and Vivaldi.

All of the concerts take place at the San Damiano Retreat Center at 710 Highland Drive in Danville, CA. The venue itself is reason to come. You'll find San Damiano nestled in the bucolic hills above the quaint town of Danville. Come early to enjoy this scenic and serene center. English Gardens, singing water sculptures and wild flowers abound. Well groomed trails wrap around the hills and on the decks overlooking the Diablo Valley you can sit down to enjoy the views.


Photos of the musicians are available upon request. Contact Jessica Siegel, 925-937-4277 or EMAIL.

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