If you have been casting around for the perfect opportunity to visit Seattle and hang out with a fun crowd of folk harpists, Harp Seattle could be just the thing! Dusty Strings’ three-day folk harp festival, which has happened in previous years under the name of “The Harp Symposium,” features local, national and international harpists presenting workshops on a variety of subjects, as well as a couple of fantastic concert lineups. In addition, there will be jam sessions, a harp circle, a workshop on curing stage fright and even a chance to have your portrait taken with your harp.
Everything except the Saturday concert takes place at the Dusty Strings music store and school in the artsy Fremont neighborhood of Seattle. There are accommodations nearby, lots of shops and restaurants within easy walking distance, and rental harps available for the weekend if you can’t drive with your own. There will also be an opportunity to tour the workshop where we build our harps and hammered dulcimers.
If you can’t make it for the full three days, you can still attend one or both concerts. On Friday, October 10th, Patrick Ball, Aryeh Frankfurter and Lisa Lynne will perform “Legends of the Celtic Harp,” which combines music and storytelling to “take you deep into the myths, magic and fabled history of this most captivating instrument.” And don’t miss the opening act – local harpist Peter Berry will play Dusty Strings harp #1 in honor of our 30th harpiversary! The concert is at Dusty Strings at 7:30 and tickets are $20.
On Saturday, October 11th, all five travelling presenters (Erik Ask-Upmark, Patrick Ball, Aryeh Frankfurter, Lisa Lynne and Kim Robertson) will perform at Seattle’s Triple Door at 7:30. Tickets are $20 and seating is dinner theater-style, with food and drink available to purchase. There will be a bus from Dusty Strings to the Triple Door for Harp Seattle participants.
Tickets can be purchased in person at Dusty Strings (3406 Fremont Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103) or by calling the store at 206-634-1662. Harp Seattle registration forms and details about the presenters and workshop schedules are available on the Dusty Strings store website.
