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Saturday, May 28, 2011
Introducing LA's Newest Music Agency - Music For Events!
Friday, May 27, 2011
[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 Also be sure to visit the Courtyard by Marriott's website at: @ 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
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: |
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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
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! 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! 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: @ Copyright Pacific Harps |
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