Hi Friends, Last weekend Aryeh and I played music at the Grass Valley Celtic Fair.  We have done this for the past three years and its always so sweet. I made this video to feature Aryeh’s Nyckelharpa and the song being played is from his album “Twisting of the Rope” which I played on too. This time I had a new little camera so I was able to run around and get images faster than with my bigger camera. Whip it out when a parade is going by. But I’m still learning this tiny device and I notice the sound quality is not so good but  I will work on that. But I hope you enjoy it, each video I make is my new favorite.

George Tortorelli and I have been a music duo since 1997. That’s 13 years of full time music making. We have been all over the country, to many states playing at festivals and concerts. Here is just a sample of what it is like when we play. The music you hear was recorded live for our album titled “Love & Peace”. There are no overdubs, George works with a looping delay system that allow him to create flute harmonies live on the spot. The harp is also delayed so I can play one passage over another. We have always been so grateful that we have a sound that people of all ages and walks of life enjoy and use for their life.

So here are some images of what its like when we play at a street festival. Its not as mellow or fancy as a concert. But I love this the most because you can really see the people. At a concert, its all dark and you can’t see the faces, the front row is set back so far and the lights take away your sight to them.
People have paid $25.00 or more to see you, you hope and worry they are happy but you can’t see them so you can’t know. You feel pretty alone on the stage.

At a street festival, which is where I started and still enjoy doing, people don’t have to be there, but they stay because they want to. From way back when I started on Venice Beach, that’s how it was, I loved that they were free to come or go, to listen or not, and they always stay and they always listen, and that means so much. I would trade a fancy concert for a big ol street fair any day.

This slide show took place the recent two weekends where we visited North Carolina, and Georgia. On  Labor day the Henderson Apple Festival has their hometown parade and every darn time it makes me cry. Its silly but it always happens and …I can’t help it. Thousands come out and smile and wave to the happy families riding by in their collector cars, dressed up dogs and clowns, high school bands and fire engines, war Veterans from each war, all the way back to WWII, people stand and cheer and the very old men in their uniforms walking and holding American flags if they can. Police officers and council members, little miss Apple fest, candy throwing cub scouts and miscellaneous farm animals on homemade floats. All those people are truly happy and proud to be in the parade, or smiling and waving from their lawn chairs lined up. One of them was me. There truly is such goodness in the world.

When I’m not doing music, I’m doing mosiacs.. I am new at it, but I love it. One of my favorite mosiac artists is Laurel Skye. She has a very unique home in Arcata, CA, where she teaches and shares. Its astounding what she has done. Here is a video of that special place..

As many of you know I have been involved with putting live music in hospitals for some time now. I have just passed my 10th year of being involved with City of Hope National Cancer Center with my “Hands-on-Harps” program. I often go to speaking engagements with my power point slide show to demonstrate the power of music and how having it in various healing environments benefits everybody. I have been procrastinating putting my slideshow into a movie, but a recent opportunity has presented itself for a keynote speaking gig, so I finally did it.
Here it is!

omigosh.. this was so fun. A highlight of the year so far. It was a last minute decision to attend Golden Toad music camp.. It was so wonderful, and inspiring. I will write more soon but just wanted to get this posted.

Hi Blog friends, Here is the next episode of my video series. I am hoping to show the reality of how it all comes together.. rehearsals, sound checks.. back stage..its the real deal.

This was around a benefit concert for a Women’s shelter in Vacaville, California.It was a rare show with vocalist Molly Pasutti singing lyrics to versions of our favorite tunes. We have a new album out featuring Molly and Barbara Higbie who I perform with more often. Barbara joined us onstage and also opened the show.

Its fun to goof around with such a cheerful bunch of great musicians.
Lisa

A new video blog of the music we are working on. Aryeh and I were in Pasadena last week, putting finishing touches on the first vocal music I have ever released! Molly Pasutti wrote beautiful lyrics to my instrumental compositions over the years, and finally its recorded. So it will be released soon, and I’m very excited. Here is the video… the making of..
Two Worlds One – Still the Moon