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Can't make it to Somerset? Then come to the
Harpers' Escape Weekend
October 5-7, 2012

Great Stuff & Other Special Events

Carolan Marathon: Friday Night after the Concert
Grainne Hambly	Chris Caswell	Turlough O'Carolan	After the Concert: 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.
Nearly 200 pieces are attributed to Carolan so let's see how many we can play! Open to companions with musically appropriate non-harp instruments. See a list of the tunes we played in 2010. In 2011, we played 29 pieces and we'll shoot to get at least 30 in this year.

Saturday Banquet: 5:30-7pm
Sunita Staneslow	Nicolas Carter	Frank Voltz (above) & Sue Richards >

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 Sunita Staneslow, Nicolas Carter & Tracy Gorman and Frank Voltz with live harp music, performed by Sue Richards. Entrees will include vegetarian fare.
Tickets $40: $10 lower than 2010 and 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 21, when we get our order to the caterer. Cash bar.
The Menu:
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

La Fiesta! Saturday Night after the Concert
		Join Nicolas Carter with Tracy Gorman leading the dances at our first-ever Saturday night Fiesta! Yes, it's a Party with a distinctly Latin American flavor. We'll have music from Nicolas, Alfredo Ortiz and Angel Tolosa with his band Ensamble Contratiempo. No previous dance experience necessary: just come to move to the music! Tracy & Nicolas will be teaching a Paraguayan Dance class on Friday afternoon if you want to "get a leg up." 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.
Nicolas Carter	Alfredo Ortiz	Ensamble Contratiempo

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 5/14/12
Workshop descriptions and schedules are subject to change.