mygentleharp

Plaza Fiesta of the Carolinas – Fort Mill, SC

mygentleharp — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 19:24:41 +0000

February is always a month of harp-playing surprises for me….Valentine’s Day season brings all kinds of romantic events that call for equally romantic music♥

This year I was honored to be invited to perform at Plaza Fiesta for the “Be My Valentine” event. If you have never visited Plaza Fiesta, it really is a unique shopping and entertainment destination. Featuring an arcade, GIANT indoor playplace for the kiddos, shops of all kinds and restaurants, its a great place to bring the whole family…..especially on a Saturday afternoon in February! Besides romantic tunes on the harp, I was joined by the Valentine Princess and Cupid herself, who were face-painting and handing out fresh flowers. Hopefully everyone visiting the Plaza had as much fun as I did!

Chocoholic Frolic – Indian Trail, NC

mygentleharp — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 18:49:28 +0000

I spent an evening this week surrounded by chocolate – chocolate fountains, chocolate eggrolls, chocolate cake, chocolate ice-cream, chocolate pearls and chocolate facials I was honored to be a part of this delectable event! A fundraiser for the Literacy Council of Union County, guests were able to enjoy all kinds of chocolaty delicousness provided by a wide variety of vendors from all over the Charlotte area. The event was held in the showroom of Dale Jarrett Ford, as you can see by the photo of my harp in “Victory Lane”! With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, what a perfect way to start celebrating early…..chocolate, wine and romantic serenades ♥

If you missed out on the fun, be watching for a “2nd annual” next year!!!

My Gentle Harp on Fox News Rising!

mygentleharp — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:10:11 +0000

It’s been a busy week for me and my harp, but part of the excitement was the chance to be featured on Charlotte’s Fox News Rising!! As a promotion for the Chocoholic Frolic fundraiser, vendors sponsoring the event were interviewed by Mr. Jon Wilson of “Wilson’s World”.

Watch it HERE!

Wedding Giveaway (2nd annual!) !!!!

mygentleharp — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:57:23 +0000

I’m pleased to announce that I will once again be participating in an AMAZING wedding giveaway!!!! If you or someone you know is getting married in 2012, you will NOT want to miss out on this! Check out this prize package:

♥ Complete Wedding Photography Package by Emily Lapish Photography

♥ Your choice of Ceremony or Cocktail/Reception music by ME

♥ Beautifully designed ringbearer cushion by Laurel and Fife

To enter click HERE!!

Coming Soon….Plaza Fiesta!

mygentleharp — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 12:22:55 +0000

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and the festivities are already beginning! Besides the Chocoholic Frolic on February 9th (what could be better than consuming large amount of chocolate while listening to harp music?), I will also be performing at Plaza Fiesta of the Carolinas on February 11th for the “Be My Valentine” event!

My family really loves going to Plaza Fiesta, and it really is one of the most unique shopping and dining locations in the Charlotte area. Think shopping, a giant play area for the kids, arcade, and the most delicious burritos and tacos you’ve ever eaten I will be playing by the fountain on Avenue of America (the cobblestone halls have street names there!) from 1-3:00pm. To add to the fun, there will be face painting by the Valentine Princess, Cupid himself will be flying around with treats and flowers, and you and your true love can take a sweet photo under the balloon arch. Hope to see you there – come introduce yourself!!

Look for the ad in the Charlotte Observer, and listen to Lite 102.9 to hear the radio promotion for this event!

The Arbors – Cleveland, NC

mygentleharp — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 19:33:21 +0000

There’s something wonderfully romantic about a winter wedding. Maybe its the way witnessing true love gives you such a warm and cozy feeling…even in January♥ I had the absolute BEST time playing this weekend for a lovely ceremony held at The Arbors in Cleveland, NC. I really love playing at new venues, and this, quite literally, was BRAND new – I believe this wedding was one of the first to be held in the newly built Pavillion. Besides being all shiny and new, the decorations were lovely, the bride was lovely, and all 1000 candles lit in the huge stone fireplace added to the loveliness (number of candles exaggerated…slightly).

I always enjoy playing the classics, but I really love breaking away from tradition every now and again. It makes a wedding ceremony so special when the bride and groom have chosen songs that express who they are! I loved the song choices:

Pre-Ceremony Music ~ Here I played a nice mix of classical and modern music (Prelude in C by Bach, Finlandia by Jean Sibelius, and When You Say Nothing At All by Allison Krauss)

Seating of Grandparents and Mothers ~ Till There Was You (M. Willson)

Processional (Attendants & Bride) ~ River Flows In You (Yiruma) a.k.a “Bella’s Lullabye” from Twilight

Unity Candle ~ Minuet (N. Gustavson)

Recessional ~ Awake My Soul (Mumford and Sons)

In addition to the ceremony, I was asked to play some background music for the reception. Here I played some modern love songs and classical pieces while the guests enjoyed wedding cake and cappuccino.

A big congratulations to the happy bride and groom as they start their lives together!

Coming Soon – Chocoholic Frolic!

mygentleharp — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 19:34:14 +0000

If you love to eat chocolate (and only crazy people don’t) mark your calendars now for the “Chocoholic Frolic” on Februay 9, 2012! For this tasty event, about 15 esteemed eatery vendors will be serving as much chocolaty delicousness as you can handle. Raffle prizes will be given out from places like Best Buy and Trader Joe’s (to name a few), as well as romantic background music provided by ME! Did I mention all this is for a good cause? Proceeds from the evening will go to support the good work of the Union County Literacy Council, which provides reading and writing instruction for adults.

I really hope you’ll join us from 6-8:00pm at Dale Jarrett Ford on Highway 74 W in Indian Trail. Tickets are just $25 in advance ($30 at the door). What a great Valentine’s date! See you there!!

2011 – A Good Year!

mygentleharp — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 02:18:44 +0000

We’re a couple days into 2012 already, but I didn’t want to miss the chance to celebrate 2011 a little! Starting a new year always brings about some reflection, especially for sentimental souls such as myself…

First off, I’d like to congratulate all those who tied the knot in 2011, and have just rang in the first new year of their married lives! Many best wishes for the upcoming year, and as you will be celebrating your first anniversary in 2012. A high percentage of the events for which I perform are wedding ceremonies and receptions, and I consider it the highest honor to have been asked to play for all those special moments in time.

After tidying up my 2011 gig calendar, I’m happy to report that last year I performed for about 30 events. The types of events ranged from wedding ceremonies, cocktail hours, receptions, private dinner parties, rehearsal dinners, funeral services, tea parties, church events and a datenight at Chick-fil-A to top it all off. My trusty Pontiac Vibe (which fits a pedal harp in the back without an inch to spare) jetted me off to Mooresville, NC, Rock Hill, SC and everywhere in between. About 1750 miles, all told! And of course I can’t neglect to mention the music! Reviewing my song list in 2011 would be a little like spinning the radio dial….country, classical, easy listening, heavy metal, folk, hymns, modern pop. And I wasn’t always flying solo – I also had the chance to play with vocalists and flutes.

I’m looking forward with GREAT anticipation to what 2012 has in store for me and my harp!

Grand Hall – Mount Holly, NC

mygentleharp — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 22:18:33 +0000

Nothing sparkles and shines quite like a Christmas wedding! This was an absolutely lovely ceremony and reception, held in the beautifully decorated Grand Hall of Mount Holly. Romantic lighting and twinkling lights on a Christmas tree added to a perfect December evening.

The song choices for the special night were a great blend of traditional wedding songs with modern.

Prelude ~ I played a nice mix of modern and classical. I also added a few that fit the season, but without being specifically Christmas, like The Prayer.

Seating of Grandparents & Mothers ~ Song For Mama (Carrie Underwood)

Attendant’s Processional ~ Feather Theme (from Forest Gump)

Bridal Processional ~ Canon in D (Pachelbel)

Recessional ~ Wedding March (Mendelssohn)

Bentley’s on 27 – Charlotte, NC

mygentleharp — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 18:25:52 +0000

Imagine a clear evening in December, a candle-lit dinner, and a glorious view from high atop the sparkling city skyline. This was how I got to spend an evening this past weekend, at an incredibly romantic wedding ceremony and reception at Bentley’s on 27 restaurant in uptown Charlotte! Surrounded by their family and closest friends, the happy couple said their vows overlooking the city (although they really couldn’t take their eyes off of eachother!).

For their special night, the bride and groom wanted harp music for the entire evening. I began with a cocktail hour as the guests were arriving, then played Ave Maria (Schubert) as the lovely bride made her entrance. I continued to play background music as everyone enjoyed dinner and finished out the night. The harp lends itself especially well to romantic music, and for this I played a nice mix of love songs and some classical tunes. The bride and groom had a few requests, which included Can You Feel The Love Tonight, From This Moment On, I’ll Always Love You, Music Of The Night, Somewhere Over The Rainbow and When You Say Nothing At All. The bride’s special request was also to hear You And Me by Dave Matthews Band.

A truly lovely evening!