[Music for Events] Jaguar | Holiday Traditions | Christmas Performers

 

• Recent Events: Two More El Portal Performances                                   Happy Holidays to Jaguar! • Tips & Tricks: Holiday Traditions Around The World   • About Us: What We Can Do for You • Holiday Ideas: Caroling We Will Go! • Featured Artists: Our Christmas Performers Please add "carolyn@pacificharps.com " to your white list or address book in your e-mail program, so that you have no trouble receiving future issues!      Two More El Portal Performances   Once again our resident harpist Carolyn Sykeswill be playing at the El Portal Restaurant in Pasadena.  For the next two weeks, you can join us for lunch Fridays between 12 and 1:30pm to enjoy the delectable Yucatan/Mexican cuisine while listening to the exquisite music of the harp.   El Portal Restaurant 695 E. Green Street, Pasadena CA 626-795-8553 www.elportalrestaurant.com Happy Holidays to Jaguar! We are proud and happy to provide the music and entertainment this year for Jaguar's company party.  Happy holidays and happy New Year to everyone at Rusnak Jaguar!   Holiday Traditions Around The World Though we tend to focus a lot on our own celebrations, there are many holiday traditions celebrated at this time of year.  Take a moment to explore below some of the traditions from other countries and faiths. Christmas (Ireland - Christian) St., Bridget's cross is traditionally hung on the doors and barns as protection. The tree is toped with St. Bridget's Cross. The Irish never adopted the tree as a symbol of Christmas preferring to display the nativity in its place. On Christmas Eve candles are lighted and placed in the windows and the front door is left unlatched, so that those seeking shelter on this holy night will not be turned away. The candles shine all night and should be blown out by those having the name of Mary. It is a symbol of welcome.   Hanukkah (Jewish) Hanukkah is celebrated from the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev (about the middle of December). The central item of the celebration is the Menorah. The Menorah is a nine-branched candlestick. It represents light, truth and liberty. The middle candle (Shammash) is also called the servant candle for it is with this candle, that the remaining eight candles (representing the eight days the lamp burned in the Temple) are lit. On the first night the first candle is lit and so on until on the eight nights all eight candles are a flame symbolizing the ancient miracle.   Diwali (Hindu and Sikh) The day before Diwali is a school holiday, the children use this day to create the oil burning clay lamps (Dipa). The dipa is a little clay saucer, which holds mustard oil and a wick. The lamps are placed everywhere; ledges, balconies, rooftops and along garden paths, A house may contain as many as a thousand of these lamps. The children receive presents in celebration of Diwali. Not only do these lamps guide the souls of the dead they also guide Lakshimi to their houses so that she will come down on the wings of a heavenly swan to bring them prosperity for the coming year.   Kwanzaa (African-American) An African-American holiday based upon ancient customs of Africa. Dr. Maulana Korenga created Kwanzaa in 1966. It is based upon harvest or first fruit harvest traditions found through out Africa. Dr Korenga sought to develop a celebration that would reaffirm African heritage and culture, introduce and reinforce the seven principles (Nguzo Sara), create a purely African-American holiday, serve as a communal celebration that reaffirms and reinforces the bonds between African-Americans, and serve as an act of cultural self-determination as an African people.   Eid-ul-Fitr (Muslim) After the Ramadan fast, there is a three-day festival called Eid-ul-Fitr.  On the first morning of Eid-ul-Fitr, families begin their day at the mosques (Masjid).  They greet everyone saying "Eid Mubarak" (Happiness to everyone). After returning from the mosque, the families gather for their first midday meal in a month. The meal includes lamb, goat, spicy vegetables and thin noodles cooked with milk, sugar and coconut (Saiwiyan). For dessert there is candy made of ground nuts, honey sesame seeds and grated cheese.   Chinese New Year The Chinese New Year falls on the first day of the new moon of the first term of the twenty four terms or cycles.  Today the Chinese hang red lanterns and set off firecrackers to keep the trouble from coming back. It is a time when the Chinese people give thanks for the past year and wish each other good fortune in the coming year. Even though the climax of the New Year lasts only three days, the New Year season extends from the mid twelfth month of the previous year to the middle of the first month of the new year.   What We Can Do for You Music for Events owner Carolyn Sykes began her journey in the music industry as a harpist, performing in Australia, Asia, Europe and the United States.  She came to Los Angeles where she was highly successful in establishing her own private teaching and performing studio Pacific Harps, teaching, supplying harps and performing in orchestras, on concert stages and for special events, both locally and abroad.  Carolyn still performs at events, solo as well as with other instruments such as flute, bass, violin and string ensembles and vocalists, but has most recently decided to take her expertise in performing and her expansive knowledge of music and musicians to a higher level, launching Music for Events.  Music for Events is unique in that it is a boutique-style agency that works with our clients every step of the way to ensure that their event fits their vision. We have over a hundred hand-picked musicians and vendors in our roster, and specialize in providing excellent musicians of every genre, as well as other services such as event planning, photography, floral, and much more. With over 30 years in the event industry, our goal is our client's peace of mind. We make the process of choosing your music and planning your event easy so you can focus on what matters most - your occasion. Visit our website at www.music-for-events.com to see videos of our artists, browse our music and schedule a consultation!   Caroling We Will Go! Christmas carolers are a great way to bring holiday cheer to any party!  Not only is the music they provide beautiful and fun as well as traditional, but carolers are always dressed for the occasion in vibrant and cheerful traditional holiday attire, and the performances they give are more intimate with more interaction with their audience.  Also, don't forget that these performers are mobile, so you get music in every room!    Artist ID 70739: Good Time Carols Comprised of seasoned vocalists from Broadway, film, television and the Disneyland resorts, Good Time Carols is one of the most sought-after caroling groups in the Los Angeles, Phoenix and New York City areas.  Their costumes, designed and constructed by artists in the film, television and fashion industries, spare no attention to detail in stunning Dickens’ style, and their showmanship and dedication ensure a classic Christmas caroling experience that will be remembered for years to come.  Good Time Carols’ repertoire has over 80 song titles from traditional to heartwarming, upbeat, and stylized jazz arrangements, and special requests are always encouraged. Artist ID 70746: William Weitler Virtuoso William Weitler is one of only a handful of glass armonica players worldwide. Invented in 1761 by Benjamin Franklin, the mesmerizing sound of this instrument was a favorite of royals such as the Princess of Czechoslovakia and Marie Antoinette until it disappeared in the mid 1800s. Through the efforts of William and others, the glass armonica is being slowly rediscovered in venues across the world where he has been commissioned to compose and perform music, such as the Seattle Philharmonic and the Akron Symphony, on the soundtracks of numerous films alongside actors such as Michael Douglas, Peter Fonda and Kris Kristofferson, and in venues across the country from the Getty Research Institute and Franklin Institute to Warner Brothers Studios and the California State Capitol. William’s instrument is custom built and was a year in the making, containing 44 glass bowls mounted on a hand crafted stand of cherry and oak. The sound of the glass armonica is both mysterious and soothing, and from Tchaikovsky to Rachmaninov and Bach, William’s repertoire includes a vast range of classical music as well as original compositions to create the atmosphere you desire.     www.music-for-events.com   @ Copyright Pacific Harps

 

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Introducing LA's Newest Music Agency - Music For Events!

 

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[Harp Notes] Easter l Mother's Day l Tony Blair l Courtyard by Marriott

Friend, • What Carolyn Is Up To: Happy Easter from Pacific Harps   • Upcoming Events: Mother's Day: Only 2 Weeks Away! • Feature Article: Q& A with Carolyn!  On the Distinguished Speaker Series with Tony Blair, Former Prime Minister of Great Britain • About Carolyn: Meet The Artist   • Carolyn Recommends: Courtyard by Marriott in Old Town Pasadena!   Please add "carolyn@pacificharps.com " to your white list or address book in your e-mail program, so that you have no trouble receiving future issues!      Happy Easter from Pacific Harps What a beautiful spring holiday - full of wonderful weather and egg hunts, among many other things!  A friend of mine made cute little paper bunnies to go with the tiny chocolate eggs I've been giving out for the holiday, and they are the perfect addition to the pretty spring colors of the the eggs.  We also dyed some eggs using silk ties (a technique from Martha Stewart!) which, I am happy to say, also came out beautifully.  They are pictured here.  Mother's Day: Only 2 Weeks Away! Hard to believe we are already to the month of May, but Mother's Day is already only two weeks away!  This year, Mother's Day is Sunday, May 8th, and I'm proud to say that the tradition of gift giving to mothers on Mother's Day was actually started in Australia!  In 1924, Mrs. Janet Heyden, a resident of Leichhardt Sydney, began the tradition during a visit to a patient at the Newington State Home for women, where she met many lonely and forgotten mothers. To cheer them up, she rounded up support from local school children and businesses to donate and bring gifts to the women, and every year thereafter, more support was raised by Janet with local businesses and even the local Mayor! Happy Mother's Day to all!    Q & A with Carolyn! On the Distinguished Speaker Series with Tony Blair, Former Prime Minister of Great Britain Prime Minister Blair is one of the most respected and admired world leaders. He presented his analysis of some of the most difficult and complex issues of the day in Pasadena, California on March 9th.  Carolyn again entertained the audience playing the harp and presenting a varied program of English music.  The following is a Q&A with Carolyn. Q:  What music did you play? Carolyn: A lot of English music: Classical – Percy Granger, Vaughn Williams, Handel.  Folk: Oh Waly Waly, English Country Gardens, Greensleeves, Scarborough Fair.  And of course, Beatles.  Q: What was your first impression of Mr. Blair?  Carolyn: Meeting him back stage, he was very personable and relaxed.  Chatted about the harp and asked questions.  Q.  Any funny or interesting incidents backstage? Carolyn; The Scotland Yard security boys were very funny!  Being English they thought it was great sport to make fun of an Australian.  We were shushed by one of Tony Blair’s entourage for laughing too much. Then he arrived backstage and was not particularly serious himself.  The US special securities personnel that take care of our heads of state (like Bill Clinton) are very serious and staid by comparison. Q: What were the high points of his talk? Carolyn:  For me, the high points of his talk were about what he thought he had learned, mistakes made, and the compassion that he genuinely seems to feel.  He talked about how in the very darkest days of his time as Prime Minister the only thing that got him out of bed in the morning was his faith in the basic goodness of the human spirit.  That everyone he had ever talked to, from tribal villagers to poverty stricken city dwellers in Iraq, all wanted the same things: health and well being for their families and communities.  The bottom line for all human beings is not politics but basic humanity, and the ability to be able to take care of ourselves.  He wished that he could make that happen for everyone on the planet. Q:  What was your favorite audience question? Carolyn: The question relating to why he decided to go into Iraq and stay even though there were no WMDs.  He explained that there was a lot more to the balance of power issue than just the WMDs.  He discussed the Middle East situation in Libya in particular, and how the West is going to have to decide after Kaddafi is gone which group to support.  It is not just about dictatorship vs. democracy.  Several groups have banded together to oust Kaddafi, but there is no clear plan as to what to do when he is gone. The West will need to decide whether to just let them figure it out themselves and then live with that regime, or to support a democratic one.  A Very tricky and complex situation. Q:  Any other impressions? Carolyn:  In the question and answer session after his talk, Blair regaled the audience with humorous stories regarding his family and some of the humorous situations he found himself in as Prime Minister.  He also mentioned that he had once had long hair and had been in a rock band! *Note: Carolyn’s next appearance at the Distinguished Speakers Series was for Los Angeles Times columnist and author Steve Lopez.  Her comments will be included in a future issue.      Australian harpist Carolyn Sykes has been performing in Australia, Asia, Europe and the United States for the past 30 years.  She came to Los Angeles fifteen years ago to study for her Masters Degree at the California Institute of the Arts.  Since then she has established her private teaching and performing studio Pacific Harps, teaching, supplying harps and performing in orchestras, on concert stages and for special events, both locally and abroad.  Carolyn plays solo, as well as with other instruments such as flute, bass, violin and string ensembles and vocalists. Visit Carolyn's website at  www.pacificharps.com for more information on lessons and harps, her harp retreat in Mexico, and much more!   Courtyard by Marriott in Old Town Pasadena! Mention Carolyn Sykes or Pacific Harps at this beautiful, newly renovated hotel in charming Old Town Pasadena, and receive a discount off of conference rooms as well as hotel rooms!  This Southern California jewel of the Los Angeles area has everything you want in a modern but historic city. The Courtyard by Marriott Pasadena Old Town is an upscale, full service hotel featuring deluxe guest rooms and executive suites with complimentary high-speed Internet access, not to mention that it also houses a fantastic bisto-style restaurant where you can get luxurious items made just for you.  This photo is of Miguel flipping the fantastic omelette he made for me on my most recent visit.  If you'd like to experience this highly recommended hotel for yourself, contact Johnny Ridgell (information below) and be sure to tell him that Carolyn sent you!  Enjoy! Johnny Ridgell Sales Manager, Courtyard by Marriott in Old Town Pasadena T: 626.755.2524 E: johnny.ridgell@dimdev.com Also be sure to visit the Courtyard by Marriott's website at: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/laxot-courtyard-los-angeles-pasadena-old-town/!                                                           www.pacificharps.com    @ Copyright Pacific Harps

 

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[Harp Notes] Huntington l Steve Lopez l Event Music l The Smokehouse

Friend, • What Carolyn Is Up To: Mother's Day at The Huntington • Upcoming Events: Carolyn's Interview on Distinguished Speaker Steve Lopez! • Feature Article: How to Decorate an Event with Music   • About Carolyn: Meet The Artist • Carolyn Recommends: The Smokehouse Restaurant in Burbank Please add "carolyn@pacificharps.com " to your white list or address book in your e-mail program, so that you have no trouble receiving future issues!        Mother's Day at The Huntington This past Sunday at The Huntington was gorgeous as always!  Salpy Kerkonian and I played together in the stunning Rose Garden (which is in full bloom now!) while Elaine Litster and Sheila Zimmerman entertained at the front entrance.  We were proud to book the event through our new agency, Music For Events, and it was a huge success.  We were there from 10:30 until 4:00, and enjoyed an amazing buffet complete with crab, salad and roast beef, not to mention the delicacies in The Huntington's beautiful tea room!  The video at the right is of Salpy and I playing Black Orpheus in the Rose Garden. Carolyn's Interview on Distinguished Speaker Steve Lopez! Recently at the Los Angeles Distinguished Speaker Series, Carolyn played for award-winning columnist Steve Lopez, and the interview is coming soon!  Watch for it in the next newsletter - meanwhile, a little about Steve Lopez: Steve Lopez joined the staff of the Los Angeles Times in May 2001 after four years at Time Inc., where he wrote for Time, Sports Illustrated, Life and Entertainment Weekly. Prior to this, he was a columnist at the Philadelphia Inquirer, the San Jose Mercury News and the Oakland Tribune. His work has won him numerous national journalism awards. His best-seller, The Soloist: A Lost Dream, An Unlikely Friendship, And the Redemptive Power of Music about his four-year odyssey with homeless musician, Nathaniel Ayers, became a hit movie and catapulted Lopez to the national stage.       How to Decorate an Event with Music by Anne Roos How do you choose the right musicians for the chosen location? I like to think of this as decorating the stage with musicians and decorating the room with sound. The instrumentation needs to work within the chosen musical theme and fit properly at the location. Can the musicians all fit on the stage? Can they load in, set up, and perform easily? Where will you place them in terms of the main action of the event, be it a wedding ceremony, a corporate function, a fundraiser, or a big, rousing party? Here’s a 10-point litmus test for determining what kinds of vocal and instrumental combinations will work at the chosen venue: 1. Do the size of the venue and the size of the guest list make sense for the instrumentation that interests you and your client? It might be a tight squeeze to get an eight-member octet into a little chapel that holds only thirty guests, and conversely, a solo guitarist may get lost in a reception hall that can seat three hundred, unless he is placed on a well-lit stage. Note the size of the performance area. Make sure that it’s on level ground and not on sand, wet grass, or a slope. Also make sure that it isn’t near a food-service station and that it’s clear of foot traffic. Give the musicians enough space to do their job and be seen. Can you now clearly see where to place them and how many band members will fit the space? (Rule of thumb: Each musician takes up the space of about three people who are seated and facing each other comfortably.) 2. Can your musicians see the action? Sure your brass trio will make their presence known if they play up in the choir loft of the church. But can they see the bride enter from there? How will they get their cues? It’s incredibly frustrating to musicians to be placed in an area because they’ll look “pretty there”, but they cannot see the dance floor, cannot see the bride, cannot see the master of ceremonies, cannot see someone giving them important cues regarding the agenda of the event. The dance band can’t read the crowd, can’t keep the action going, and this sets them up for failure and a dud of a party. 3. Can your musicians see their music? Consider the lighting in the room. Adding a spotlight for your musicians allows the guests to see them, and it allows the musicians to see what they are doing. If the event takes place outdoors, place the musicians so that they are not facing the sun. Musicians blinded by the sun may need to turn in another direction or move to another area altogether. 4. Is electricity available? For a sizeable guest list, your musicians will need to amplify the sound so everyone can hear. Similarly, if there are sound distractions, such as street noise, they’ll need to mic their instruments. Check to determine whether electricity is available, and if so, map out where the outlets are located. Once the musicians are hired, they’ll need this information so that they’ll have the proper extension cords or will know ahead of time to rely on battery-operated amplification.  5. Can the musicians easily load in? If the musicians are forced to double park on a busy street or park three blocks away, then you may be stuck with an extra charge for their set-up time. It might be a good idea to plan to prepay your musicians’ parking lot or valet parking charges. If you don’t, then they may pass along that cost to your client, plus a bit more for their trouble. To see the rest of this article, visit http://eventplannersassociation.typepad.com/blog/2011/05/how-to-decorate-an-event-with-music.html!   The Smokehouse Restaurant in Burbank As if prime rib for $14.95 on Mondays just wasn't enough, on Thursdays The Smokehouse offers a bacon wrapped filet mignon for only $17.95, not to mention that on BOTH of these days, all bottles of wine from the regular wine list are 50% off!  The Smokehouse is a charming restaurant just off of Olive Avenue situated right next to Warner Brothers Studios, where it has been a favorite of locals and travelers alike since 1946.  To say nothing of their unforgettable cheese bread, in addition you can also have your photo taken at your table, to remember the wonderful experience!   Visit them for more information at: http://www.smokehouse1946.com/index.html!

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